12/9/11

Dear Klamath Irrigation Project Water User:

The Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA) will be holding two public meetings in December to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the development of the On-Project Plan (OPP) and to give you a chance to ask any questions you may have about this important process.

Klamath On-Project Plan (OPP) - Community Meetings

• December 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Hope Lutheran Church Community Center  

§  2408 Homedale Rd, Klamath Falls (intersection with South Sixth)

·       December 15 at 4:00 p.m.  - Lost River High School (music room)

§  Highway 50 (between Merrill & Malin)

Both meetings should not last longer than 2 hours and will include ample time for questions. Key topics that will be discussed include: 1) Brief Background of KBRA / OPP; 2) On-Project Plan Advisory Committee (OPPAC) and Role; 3) Goals and Objectives of OPP; 4) Approach to OPP Development; 5) Environmental Review Process; and 6) Project Schedule.

Again, a primary reason for this meeting is to hear any comments and questions you may have regarding the OPP.  

The OPP is being developed to ensure a reliable water supply for the sustainability of agriculture in the Klamath Project and the avoidance of involuntary water shortage. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) describes certain agreed upon “Diversion Limits” for water diverted from Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River for the Klamath Project and refuges that would come into effect in the future. Beyond the scope of the KBRA, the challenges of meeting water demands during dry years for agriculture, endangered and threatened species, and wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin have become monumental and are unlikely to change.

The purpose of the OPP is to align water supply and demand in areas of the Klamath Reclamation Project that rely on Klamath Lake and River for water supply.  The OPP is being developed for a context where Project districts, for the first time ever, have a known block of water available each year. The plan will also take into account water delivery obligations for National Wildlife Refuges.

The OPP is being prepared by KWAPA, which was formed in 2008 as a product of discussions among local irrigators, districts, and others in the community. KWAPA consists of public agency members in Oregon and California, all of whom are contractors of the Bureau of Reclamation and provide water delivery within the areas of the Klamath Irrigation Project.

The overriding principals/goals of the OPP are that the plan be developed by and for districts and irrigators and that no irrigator or district in the Project suffers involuntary water shortages, as has happened in the past.  The OPP will likely employ a variety of tools in order to address variability in available water supply.

If you have any questions about these meetings, please visit www.kwapa.org or call KWAPA at 541-850-2503. We hope to see you later this month.

Working together for reliable water supply! Learn more about the development of the On-Project Plan (OPP).  See inside for further details and plan to attend a meeting.

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Klamath On-Project Plan (OPP) - Community Meetings

December 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Hope Lutheran Church Community Center

2408 Homedale Rd, Klamath Falls (intersection at Homedale/South Sixth)

December 15 at 4:00 p.m.  - Lost River High School (music room)

Highway 50 (between Merrill and Malin)