News Release Archive

Reclamation Taking Public Comment on Proposed Title Transfer to Pioneer Irrigation District

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Mike Relf, mrelf@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: March 02, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation is taking public comment on issues to be evaluated in a proposal to transfer title of about 75 miles of irrigation drains and certain federal facilities to the Pioneer Irrigation District in Canyon County, Idaho.

The title transfer proposal is limited to facilities and related property interests which have traditionally been operated and maintained by PID since their construction by Reclamation in the early 1900s. PID has fully paid off its repayment obligations for the federally-owned portion of the drainage system, however, title remains with the U.S. government.

The transfer proposal is in keeping with Reclamation's goal of increasing the cost-effectiveness of its operations. The facilities are drainage channels and associated rights-of-way and easements. The proposal does not include water rights, storage rights, water management agreements, or facilities maintained by other entities.

Authority to transfer title can only be granted to Reclamation by the U.S. Congress. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Reclamation to evaluate the environmental impacts resulting from this action.

NEPA requirements call on Reclamation to seek public input to the proposed title transfer.Written comments on this proposal can be sent to the Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, Attention: Gretchen Fitzgerald, 230 Collins Road, Boise ID 83702-4520 by March 21. Questions concerning the proposal or the NEPA process should be directed to Gretchen Fitzgerald at (208) 383-2231. The documents will be located at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/srao_misc/pid/index.html.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/srao_misc/pid/index.html