Grant for Modernizing Owyhee Irrigation District Infrastructure

Overview
In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Owyhee Irrigation District (OID) has secured a grant to initiate a comprehensive Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This initiative is made possible under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566), with the goal of modernizing OID’s aging irrigation infrastructure. By enhancing the efficiency of the water delivery system, this project will benefit not only local agriculture but also the broader community dependent on reliable water resources.

Project Scope
The OID operates within the Bureau of Reclamation’s Owyhee Project, which spans the Mitchell Butte, Dead Ox Flat, and Succor Creek divisions. The District supplies water to over 67,000 acres of farmland and manages an extensive network of 376 miles of canals and laterals. Unfortunately, this system is increasingly vulnerable to water shortages, primarily due to recurring droughts and an outdated conveyance system that is prone to water loss through seepage, spills, and evaporation.

A 2018 study conducted by the Farmers Conservation Alliance highlighted the magnitude of these issues, revealing that approximately 309 acre-feet of water per day are lost during the irrigation season due to system inefficiencies. This water loss results in insufficient delivery to farmers, impacting agricultural productivity and the resilience of the community in the face of drought conditions.

Goals of the Project
The primary purpose of this project is to improve Agricultural Water Management. Through the development of a detailed Watershed Plan-EIS, the NRCS and OID aim to implement solutions that will enhance water conservation and delivery reliability. Modernizing the irrigation infrastructure will not only reduce water loss but will also strengthen the District’s ability to meet its commitments to local irrigators, ensuring that water is delivered in the right quantity and at the right time.

Community Benefits
The modernization of the OID’s conveyance system will have far-reaching benefits, including:

• Improved water conservation and efficient delivery to over 67,000 acres of farmland.
• Strengthened resilience against drought conditions, helping to sustain agricultural production during challenging times.
• Reduction in water loss due to evaporation, seepage, and spills, leading to better resource management.

Through this collaborative effort, OID is working toward a future where its infrastructure is better equipped to meet the evolving needs of its patrons and the agricultural community it serves.

Looking Ahead
As the project moves forward, the Watershed Plan-EIS will serve as a critical guide, ensuring that every step aligns with the NRCS’s guidelines for environmental protection and sustainability. This grant marks the beginning of a transformation for the OID’s water management systems, offering long-term solutions to the challenges that have plagued the District for years. With this modernization, the OID is taking a proactive approach to securing water resources and supporting the agricultural community for generations to come.

Project Objectives for the Owyhee Irrigation District Modernization

The modernization project for the Owyhee Irrigation District (OID) aims to significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of water delivery to over 67,000 acres of farmland. This effort is supported by a comprehensive Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan-EIS), developed in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Below are the key objectives of this critical initiative:

1. Watershed Plan and Environmental Review
The primary objective is to develop a Watershed Plan-EIS or Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) that addresses the OID’s irrigation challenges and identifies feasible alternatives for modernizing the District’s infrastructure. This modernization will aim to:

• Enhance irrigation delivery efficiency.
• Promote water conservation across the District.
• Reduce energy consumption.
• Improve public safety.
• Protect and improve instream habitats for fish species that are listed as threatened or endangered.

2. Preservation of Historic Properties
In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, the project will account for any potential effects on historic properties. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies like the NRCS to assess the impact of their projects on historic resources. The OID and NRCS will work together to ensure that all actions related to the project meet these preservation requirements.

3. Project Phases and Potential Expansion
The current funding for this agreement focuses on the planning phase of the modernization project. Should additional funding become available, the project may be expanded to include construction and full implementation. The OID and NRCS have agreed that if such funds are secured, the agreement will be amended to reflect these changes, ensuring the continued progress of the modernization efforts.