News Release Archive

Reclamation Signs Memorandum of Agreement for Advancement of Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Concept

Media Contact: Kelly Bridges, (208) 378-5101, 05/15/2015 14:40
Ted Day, tday@usbr.gov

For Release: May 15, 2015

LEWISTON, Idaho -- On May 1 the Bureau of Reclamation, together with the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Nez Perce Tribe, signed a Memorandum of Agreement that advances the Lewiston Orchards Project Water Exchange Concept, which involves replacing the use of existing surface water with a potential alternate source.

Reclamation's Lewiston Orchards Project, operated and maintained by LOID, derives its water from the Craig Mountain watershed, providing a highly variable water supply from year to year. Surface water diversions from Webb and Sweetwater Creeks have historically dewatered the downstream reaches, impacting steelhead listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

"This is an important step forward for the water exchange concept," said Jerry Gregg, Snake River Area Manager for Reclamation. "Working together, we will aim to solve water and fish issues in the Sweetwater and Webb Creek Basins."

The parties to the MOA are working together to identify a path forward in resolving long standing issues related to water supply reliability, steelhead listed under the ESA and protection of tribal cultural and natural resources. The primary focus of the agreement is to continue efforts to complete a water exchange project as a comprehensive solution to these complex issues associated with operation and maintenance of the LOID system.

Reclamation and LOID are investigating the use of multiple groundwater wells to provide the Lewiston Orchards Project with an alternative water supply to the current surface water withdrawals on land adjacent to and within the Nez Perce Reservation. This will benefit the Snake River steelhead as well as other important cultural resources for the Nez Perce Tribe.

"This is a much-needed project, based on a strong regional partnership, with particularly impressive progress over the last year," said outgoing Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Silas Whitman. "It is increasingly clear, based on the project's comprehensive benefits, that it deserves priority consideration for funding and completion in the next few years."

Drought conditions in the region this year highlight the need for a permanent solution to the annual variability in water supply for LOID and its patrons. In addition, LOID is facing significant costs in the near future as much of its water conveyance system will require repairs or replacement as it nears the end of its service life. Some features of the project are over 100 years old.

"The district sees the MOA as progress in addressing the concerns of our patrons," said LOID Manager Barney Metz. "We are satisfied with the collaborative efforts of this coalition to find a long-term solution to our dwindling water supply."

The project also included consultation with the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project partners: City of Lewiston, Nez Perce County, and the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce, in addition to LOID and the Tribe. Mr. Jerry Klemm, chairman of the LCEP partners, spoke at the May 1 meeting in support of the water exchange.

For more information about the Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Concept, please contact: Mr. Ted Day, project manager for Reclamation at 208-383-2222; Mr. Barney Metz, LOID Manager at 208-746-8235; Mr. David Redhorse, natural resource officer for the BIA at 503-231-6791; or Mr. David Johnson, department manager for the Nez Perce Tribe at 208-843-7334.

The Lewiston Orchards Project is located near Lewiston, Idaho. Project facilities include Reservoir A (Mann Lake), Soldiers Meadow Reservoir, Lake Waha, four diversion structures, several feeder canals, and a system for distributing irrigation water.

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Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=43848