News Release Archive

Reclamation releases environmental documents for Horsefly Irrigation District’s WaterSMART grant project

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: September 12, 2017

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Horsefly Irrigation District’s (HID) Horsely and Somers Canals Piping Project.

Through a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant (WEEG), Reclamation will provide financial assistance to HID to convert approximately 1.68 miles of open canal to subterranean piping. The project, located in Klamath County, Oregon, will eliminate seepage and evaporation losses in those canal sections and is anticipated to result in water savings of roughly 700 acre-feet per year. Conserved water would remain in the Lost River system for instream benefits and downstream users.

Through the WaterSMART program, Reclamation provides cost-shared funding on a competitive basis for projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy, protect endangered species or facilitate water markets. For more information about the WaterSMART WEEG Program, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/weeg/index.html.

The Final EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?project_ID=29761.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA and/or FONSI, please contact Brandon (Kirk) Young at 541-880-2589 or byoung@usbr.gov.

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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.