Lemhi Conservation Easement M Olson

Project Narrative

The Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) successfully negotiated the purchase of a conservation easement restricting the diversion of 0.96 cfs from Mark Olson at the L-6 diversion on the Lemhi River.
Following is a list of summarized project actions: Secured funding for the easement (Idaho Water Transaction Fund [IWTF] Match), Finalized funding contracts, Finalized contract and easement documents, Signed agreement to purchase conservation easement, Invoiced the Office of Species Conservationfor PCSRF and IWTF for match, Signed conservation easement, Proof of payment to water right owner, Conservation easement recorded with Lemhi County, Water instream according to easement. The easement purchase was delayed by probate issues which delayed the property transfer to Mark Olson. The easement was finalized in time for the 2011 irrigation season instead of the 2010 irrigation season. The flow protected under the easement was 0.96 cfs instead of the proposed 1.1 cfs. The 0.96 cfs was the amount approved under a water right change of ownership processed by IDWR. Total funding was reduced in proportion to the amount of water secured instream. The IWRB continues to contract with Water District – 74 to administer the conservation easement and protect flow instream as needed. The USGS gage in the Lemhi River below the L-6 diversion is used to monitor stream flows in the primary reach. This project was featured as part of the Columbia Basin Water Transaction Program FY 2010 annual report (matching funds). This report can be seen at www.cbwtp.org/jsp/cwwtp/library/document/NLB_CBWTP_Annual10_final_web.pdf. Water supplies needed to maintain a minimum stream flow at the L-6 diversion will be obtained on a permanent basis. This will reduce or eliminate the need to acquire water through more costly annual transactions. By combining permanent water transactions with a series of exchange projects, a minimum flow of 35 cfs will be provided year-round at the L-6 diversion.
Maintained flows will provide passage for in-migrating adult spring Chinook salmon and steelhead, for out-migrating salmon and steelhead smolts and for future spawning and rearing in the lower reaches of the Lemhi River.