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Flow Augmentation In The Upper Snake River Subbasin To Benefit Anadromous, Resident Fish and Wildlife. Upper Snake River Basin Water Users. Five Member Board South-Central Idaho Farmers Representing Farmers Interested in Leasing water to benefit Fish & Wildlife. Project Description.
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Flow Augmentation In The Upper Snake River Subbasin To Benefit Anadromous, Resident Fish and Wildlife
Upper Snake River Basin Water Users • Five Member Board • South-Central Idaho Farmers • Representing Farmers Interested in Leasing water to benefit Fish & Wildlife
Project Description • Water leasing for flow augmentation • Upper Snake Water Users to lease out water • At fair market price for lease water • Instead of farming • Benefit Fish & Wildlife
Project Supports Regional Requirements • NMFS 2001 Biological Opinion • 427 Acre Feet from Upper Snake River Basin • NMFS 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion • Action 149 – address flow problems • Action 151 – increase tributary flows • i.e. water brokerages
Project Supports Regional Goals & Strategies • NWPPC – Approximate Natural Hydrographics • Action Agencies 2001– Improve Water Quality & Quantity • IDFG – Improve Water Quantity
Project Supports Regional Recommendations Governors’ Plan • Partnerships – Landowners Full Partners in Recovery Effort • Develop Water Markets – Willing Buyers & Sellers • Local Recovery Plans – Endorses Local Planning
Project Purpose • Address Water Leasing Restrictions & Concerns • Lease Irrigation Water from Upper Snake River Subbasin Water Users • Release & Protect Water to Below Hells Canyon Complex • Benefit Fish & Wildlife
Water Leasing Limitations • Ag Preference Priority – Last To Fill • Minimal Rental Price – $2 or $7 acre foot • Water Exchanges Discouraged Palisades Dam
Lemhi Natural Flow Rental • $220 per acre 2001 USBR rental price • $88 per acre foot @ 2.5 feet per acre
1999 USBR Analysis of Flow Augmentation for a 62-year Period (1928-1989) In FY 2001 flow augmentation from the Upper Snake River was 41,441 acre-feet. (USBR, 2001)
Project Planning & Design • Research Rules & Regulations • Identify Needed Changes • Implement Changes • Identify Willing Water Lessors
Project Implementation • Contract Development • Sign Contracts • FY 2002 – 3000 acre feet (test case) • Out years – up to 20,000 acre feet
Project O & M • Problem Solving
Project M & E • Contract Compliance • Develop monitoring method • Possible use of remote sensing S. Idaho 08/01/2000 landsat
Budget Primary Expenses • Legal Fees – Resolve issues • Project Manager – recruit willing farmers • Leasing Water – water in the river • Project Monitoring – documented results