Lemhi Valley Water Transactions Phase 2

Project Narrative

Conservation easements needed to maintain a minimum stream flow at the L-6 diversion and to accomplish tributary reconnects were obtained on a permanent or long-term basis to meet flow objectives identified in the draft 30-year Lemhi River Conservation Plan in order to 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. The current draft of the Lemhi Long Term Conservation Plan calls for provision of 35 cfs minimum flow year round at the L-6 diversion. Approximately 17 cfs of the 35 have been secured through other remedies. The primary strategy of this project and its partner project 033 04 SA was to deliver the remaining 17 cfs of water directly to the L-6 diversion through a pool of agreements not to divert. This project was funded through two different PCSRF grants (2004 and 2005). The following is the description for the total performance by both projects. The appraisal, negotiation and contracting of these conservation easements required much more time than anticipated, which required several contract extensions. Some of the original interested parties either dropped out of the negotiations, or were unable to come to agreement over contract language. In the end the project sponsor was able to successfully negotiate seven conservation easements totaling 13.97 cfs of restricted water. Through this process the project sponsor negotiated long term or permanent agreements not to divert with key landowners that divert from the L-6, L-7 or L-8a diversions. Landowners agreed to forego diversion of a specified quantity leaving it in-stream only when required to maintain the specified flow at L-6. The total cfs obtained through the 2004 and 2005 project partners was 13.97. Of the 13.97 cfs, 2.06 cfs is reported through this project and 11.91 cfs is reported though project (033 05 SA). The Water District 74 has been compensated based on the cfs secured to permanently administer the agreements not divert. The project sponsor anticipated water acquisition for stream reconnects in the Upper Lemhi River Basin, but was unable to negotiate any permanent transactions for that purpose. There was no public support for drying up lands through permanent purchases. Current efforts to reconnect Upper Lemhi tributaries are focusing on changes in diversion locations and delivery efficiencies. The direct costs paid from this project (grant 2004) were $126,947.50 and the direct costs paid from the 2005 grant were $894,608.75, for a total of $1,021,556.25. The match costs from this project, 033 04 SA P2, were $42,315.83 and the costs from 033 05 SA were $298,202.92 for a total of $350,518.75.