RE:     Phase II “L” Line Pipe Installation

Dear Water User:

Hermiston Irrigation District (HID) has recently been notified that we have received an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grant.  This grant along with a Bureau of Reclamation grant will allow us to complete phase II of the “L” line piping project before next water delivery season.

The pipeline will be a gravity pressure line with adequate pressure to supply your pump.  No flood irrigation will be allowed with the water from the new pipeline.  To achieve the necessary pressure for required sprinkler irrigation, a pump will be necessary for every water user.  Your system must be designed to use water at a rate of 8½ gallons per minute per acre (i.e. 8½ gal x your acres of water right = total gallons per minute usage).  At this rate you will not be able to irrigate your entire acreage all at one time, but will have multiple sets to cover the entire acreage.  This will allow for water availability to everyone 24 hours a day 7 days a week, provided that you do not irrigate any one location more than 12 hours in a 7 day period.

Present law does not require each water user to have a meter, however that could change in the future.  Also, anyone who is suspected of using water over and above the designed rate of 8½ gpm per acre may be required to install a meter at their expense.  This is not a recommended situation to be in, as it gets quite expensive very fast.

Water hookups will be provided for each property located at a common property line or at the present location of delivery with a few exceptions.  You will have a choice of having your hookup either buried or at the surface, which ever meets your pumping plan best.  If your property receives water through a private ditch or pipe it is your responsibility to provide adequate piping to your property from your point of delivery on the district pipeline.

Work on this project will start in November of this year so it is important that all encroachments be cleared off of the entire easement.  The easement is 20 feet from the center of the canal or pipeline to the south and 30 feet from center to the north for all properties on the east side of Canal Road .  All properties to the west side of Canal Road the easement is 25 feet north and 25 feet south of the center of the canal or pipeline.

We are asking for your full cooperation in removing all fences, buildings, wood piles, hay stacks, irrigation pumps and any other items that may be within the easement.  In order to get our trucks and heavy equipment in to do the job efficiently it will require the entire easement to be free of encroachments.  With your cooperation the project can be done in a timely and efficient manner.

HID board members and personnel are looking forward to having a more efficient system that will provide better service to your area as well as conserving water for the benefit of all.

If you have further questions or wish to discuss the project in more detail, I can be reached at 567-3024.

Sincerely,

Chuck Wilcox

Manager

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