PILOT BUTTE CANAL PIPING IMPROVEMENTS
Smith Rock to Bend
Water has always been a challenge in Central Oregon. Those who came before us carved more than 700 miles of canals out of the dense volcanic rock using horses, shovels and primitive machinery. Today we face our own challenges of upgrading a century-old system to best serve the needs of all patrons for the next 100 years.
Due to the nature of open canals, COID must withdraw nearly double the amount of water needed to compensate for the seepage loss. COID is focused on large-scale piping projects, which can be combined with voluntary efforts by landowners who undertake on-farm improvements. Water saved from seepage below and evaporation above can now go to the farm or stay in the river to help support wildlife conservation.
Phase 1 Conservation Improvements Complete
30 cfs conserved & Operating efficiencies created for over 300 farmers
In the spring of 2022, COID completed Phase 1 of the Pilot Butte Canal Piping Project, immediately conserving 30 cfs and creating operating efficiencies for over 300 patrons. Additionally, over time the project will save an additional 30-40 cfs.
Pilot Butte Canal Watershed Plan & Environmental Impact Statement
PUBLIC NOTICE
July 27, 2022
Notice of Extension of the Public Comment Period for Scoping for the
Central Oregon Irrigation District Pilot Butte Canal Infrastructure Modernization Project
With this notice, the public comment period for the formal scoping meeting has been extended from July 26, 2022, to August 2, 2022, to provide additional time to provide comments.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) Pilot Butte Canal (PBC) Project in the proximity of Redmond and Bend, Oregon. The EIS process will examine three alignment alternatives for replacing the existing PBC with a piped and pressurized system. The purpose of the new system is to promote irrigation water conservation in COID-owned infrastructure, improve water delivery reliability to COID patrons, and reduce long-term operation and maintenance costs. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues and potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Tribes, and Federal, State, and local agencies and jurisdictions.
FORMAL SCOPING MEETING
Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 6pm-7:30pm
Redmond Grange
707 SW Kalama Ave, Redmond, Oregon
VIEW PDF OF FORMAL SCOPING PRESENTATION
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon State Office announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Central Oregon Irrigation District
(COID) Pilot Butte Canal (PBC) Project in the proximity of Redmond and Bend.
The EIS process will examine three alignment alternatives for replacing the existing PBC with a piped and pressurized system. The purpose of the new system is to promote irrigation water conservation on approximately 21 miles of COID-owned infrastructure, improve water delivery reliability to COID patrons, and reduce long-term operation and maintenance costs.
NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues and potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Tribes, and Federal, State and local agencies and jurisdictions.
The need for watershed planning is established and implementation of management actions are authorized under Public Law 83-566, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended, and Public Law 78-534, the Flood Control Act of 1944.
The public meeting scheduled for July 19, 2022, is part of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS. The NOI formal scoping period closes July 18, 2022, however with the publication of this Notice Of Availability, the closure of scoping has been extended to July 26, 2022, to accommodate the public scoping meeting on July 19, 2022, and comments received based on information provided at the meeting.
Informal Scoping Virtual Meeting
COID hosted a virtual informal scoping meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.