District Manager’s View

By Rick Woodley

December 2005

The Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District remains committed to agriculture friendly conservation and community activities in the Klamath Basin. The directors and staff have a firm commitment and have dedicated District resources to the Basin and its way of life. We have pledged to successfully participate in any quality conservation projects and agricultural activities that benefit the Klamath Basin and promote the “Wise Use of Natural Resources.” A result of this pledge is our growing involvement in a wide variety of conservation and wildlife habitat efforts. We believe in and support all agricultural and conservation activities that benefit agriculture, economy, community, wildlife and our unique way of life in the Klamath County.

To achieve success, we have cultivated the ability to work with private landowners, local organizations, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies. These working relationships serve us well as we endeavor to promote sustainable agriculture in the area. The work with private landowners is particularly enjoyable, because we are the advocates for the private landowners.

I would like to thank the District staff, Larry Peach, Joyce Guthrie, T.J. Woodley and Lee Ashford for their unwavering commitment to the prosperity and environmental well being of the area. The District staff is directly responsible for the successful implementation of conservation programs and grower participation in agricultural opportunities of which the District is involved. We take great pride in assisting landowners who are facing difficult land and water use problems and regulations.

I would like to share some of the highlights of the District’s activities with you. The agricultural related activities are:

· The District initiated and organized irrigation pump efficiency testing.

· We have an extensive no-till program for growers, using two District owned no-till grain drills.

· Educational outreach for students through the Klamath Farm Expo and the OSU Forestry tour.

· The District is deeply involved with Klamath Basin irrigators both on and off project in the power rate negotiations.

· We are working with UC Davis and OSU research centers on irrigation water management and other no-till forage crops new to the Klamath Basin.

· We are involved with local grower associations.

· We work closely with the Klamath County Commissioners to solve agricultural water problems in our area.

· We have input with the Bureau of Reclamation on the water bank and the new Conservation Implementation Program for the Klamath Watershed.

Conservation related activities are:

· Provided landowners with information about SB1010 water quality activities and agricultural water quality plans.

· Working with landowners on juniper removal projects.

· A wide variety of restoration projects involving many partnerships with agencies and quality conservation organizations.

· Hosting landowner’s information meetings on conservation planning.

· Partnering with the NRCS in education outreach and project implementation regarding EQIP, the Conservation Security Program and a host of other programs.

· Administering the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for riparian buffer strip restoration along waterways.

· We have renewed activity with the Klamath Watershed Council for water quality and other restoration activities along Klamath County waterways.

· Development of the Klamath River Coalition of Conservation Districts to develop coordinated activities on the Klamath River and its tributaries.

· Participation on the executive committee for the ORE/CAL Resource Conservation and Development office.

· Partnering with the Tribes and the Watershed Council for the selection and administration of

OWEB small grants to local landowners.

· Developed a comprehensive list of companies and individuals, which is provided to District and NRCS planners, who are capable of assisting landowners with their juniper removal projects.

In summary, the District is always looking for interested individuals to assist us in our work on behalf of the landowners of Klamath County. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District please contact the District Manager.