CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Charles Miller called the August Regular Board Meeting of the Hermiston Irrigation District (District) Board of Directors to order at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the District office building. Also present at the meeting were Board Members Mike Bergstrom, Len Jeppeson, John Lybrand and Craig Coleman; District Manager, Chuck Wilcox; Secretary, Annette Rambel; Bureau of Reclamation personnel, Chet Sater; and District Patron, Sam Nobles.

Chet Sater addressed the Board regarding potentially obtaining an in-stream lease from OWRD for the property that they own that is known as the Oxbow Property. Mr. Sater came before the Board with updated information previously requested by the Board. Mr. Sater researched the matter and there were no major hurdles with OWRD. The BOR will install a measuring device and could also install a recording device. After a brief discussion, Director Jeppson moved to allow the BOR to pursue and in-stream lease for the Oxbow property through the South Hermiston Drain. Director Coleman seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Director John Lybrand joined the meeting at 3:40 p.m.

Mr. Sater left the meeting at 3:40 p.m.

District Patron, Sam Nobles addressed the Board regarding the end of the R-Line. Mr. Nobles pointed out that there is no schedule for gates 19 & 20 at the end of the R-Line. There is a pond that everyone irrigates out of. There were originally two irrigators now there is fourteen. Mr. Nobles says that they have problems out there and that they often do not have enough water in the pond.

Manager Wilcox explained to the Board that the gate is locked due to problems with water users in the past and that the ditch rider said that he has been monitoring the pond to try to keep water in it without running it over.

Mr. Nobles left the meeting at 3:48 p.m.

MINUTES

The Board reviewed the minutes of the July 12, 2007, Regular Board Meeting. There were no changes suggested. Director Lybrand moved to approve the minutes as presented. Director Bergstrom seconded the motion. There being no further discussion the motion carried unanimously.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & VOUCHERS

The Board reviewed the Profit & Loss Report for July 2007. The Board reviewed and signed the July 2007 Voucher Report. Voucher Numbers 34507 through 34568 were reviewed and approved.

KEITH MORGAN-DRAIN FIELD REQUEST: Manager Wilcox reported that Mr. Morgan is trying to work out an easement agreement.

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT: Manager Wilcox reported that there has still been no written progress made on the Agreement.

DROP STRUCTURE: Manager Wilcox reported that Anderson-Perry is working on the plans for the Drop Structure. Robin Harris with A-P expects to have the plans ready to present to the Board at the September board meeting.

ELM ST PROPERTY: Manager Wilcox has received a new appraisal from Appraiser, Doug Barrack. The Estimated Market Value of the property is $525,000. Manager Wilcox has spoken to the FFA Alumni and given them the new estimated value of the property.

NEW BUSINESS

ACROLEIN RE-REGISTRATION: Manager Wilcox explained that Baker Hughes, the District’s supplier of Acrolein, has requested that the District’s using Magnacide H Herbicide write a letter of support. The District’s with NPDES permits are submitting their letters through Oregon Water Resources Congress (OWRC) via Attorney David Filippi. This District will write letters of support both individually and as part of OWRC.

OR WARN: Manager Wilcox explained that OR WARN (Oregon Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network) is a new group that assists other agencies in the event of a major disaster. There is an OR WARN meeting being held September 21, 2007, in Bend. A copy of the brochure was provided in the Board member packets.

WATER LAW SEMINAR: This year’s Water Law Seminar is being held in conjunction with an OWRC Board Meeting. The seminar is usually designed to keep everyone up to speed on the new laws.

ELECTIONS: The position for Director of divisions 3 and 4 are expiring on December 31, 2007. Nominating Petitions must be turned into the District office now later than 5 p.m. on October 9, 2007.

WATER REPORT: Manager Wilcox reported that as of today there is 8,296 af in CSR. We are currently running 162 cfs through CSAO. ALTO is running at about 32cfs and the Maxwell canal is running at about 38 cfs. Live flow from the river through the MAXO is 6 cfs. The District has 10,291 af in exchange credits and a remaining duty of 14,324 af. The current estimated shut off for this season is September 20-25, 2007.

MAINTENANCE: The maintenance crew has begun mowing the banks of the canals starting at the reservoir.

FYI-FINDLEY: Manager Wilcox informed the Board that Ian Findley has applied for a limited license. They want to irrigate on the other 180 acres. Watermaster, Tony Justus denied the application, stating that it would be detrimental to other water users. Manager Wilcox then spoke with BOR personnel Ruth Page and Debbie Colbert with Oregon Water Resources Department. Ms. Colbert looked into the situation and instructed Mr. Justus to call Manager Wilcox and inform the District that the limited license was indeed approved.

Attorney David Filippi may need to be consulted about the possibility of applying for a water right as the District has an 1,800 ft right to store with no right to use.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Miller at 4:27 p.m.

_______________________________             ________________________________

Charles Miller                                                       Annette V. Rambel

Chairman                                                              Recording Secretary

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