(Photo courtesy of Deschutes Basin Board of Control)
On Monday WaterWatch of Oregon, a Portland-based environmental group, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and three irrigation districts, Central Oregon Irrigation District, North Unit Irrigation District and Tumalo Irrigation District. The lawsuit claims the operations of several dams and reservoirs managed by the federal agency and the three districts are harming Oregon spotted frog.
This is the second lawsuit filed over the Oregon spotted frog, further straining collaborative efforts by irrigation districts, local farmers and ranchers, state and federal agencies and conservation groups to improve habitat for this species in Oregon’s Deschutes Basin.
Late last year, the Tucson, Arizona based Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over the Oregon spotted frog, which was recently listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Besides complicating local, state and federal efforts to implement habitat improvement actions for this species, the two lawsuits could result in reduced water supplies to thousands of farm and ranch families throughout Central Oregon, and potentially affect other fish and wildlife species. The loss of water supplies to these small, family based operations would likely result in painful social, economic and even environmental consequences for depressed communities in Central Oregon.
Mike Britton, president of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, which represents eight irrigation districts (Districts) in Oregon’s Deschutes Basin, said, “We are working diligently with many different interests, including conservation groups, to protect this frog.” Britton added, “These lawsuits won’t help any of us collaboratively improve habitat for these species.”
In 2008, the Districts and City of Prineville (City) began a process to develop the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (DBHCP). As part of this continuing process, scientific studies on the Oregon spotted frog have been undertaken in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies and conservation groups. The pending plan will eventually recommend measures to improve the frog’s habitat in the Deschutes River and its tributaries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded six grants to develop the DBHCP totaling $2.6 million to date and the Districts and City have contributed an additional $2.7 million to match the federal funds.
“In addition to the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Districts have voluntarily undertaken a number of projects to benefit Oregon spotted frog,” said Craig Horrell, general manager of Central Oregon Irrigation District.
The Bureau of Reclamation has provided nearly $7 million in competitive WaterSmart grants to the Districts for canal lining, piping and hydropower projects. These grants have resulted in projects that have conserved water, increased in-stream flows, and enhanced water management, benefiting fish and wildlife species including the Oregon spotted frog.
“The districts are spending millions of dollars on projects to benefit the environment,” said Ken Rieck, general manager of Tumalo Irrigation District.
Rieck added, “We can improve habitat for the Oregon spotted frog and other species, but we have to work together.”
Contacts: Mike Britton 541-475-3625 mbritton@northunitid.com
Shon Rae 541- 408-7007 srae@coid.org
