Bureau of Reclamation Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Project Lead Grant

Features of the LOP are primarily located within the Reservation. Ongoing LOP diversions are in conflict with tribal interests and affect Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed Snake River steelhead. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) seeks to incrementally replace the current surface-water system with a multi-well groundwater system, to decommission the surface-water diversion system, and allow for the exchanged surface water to be protected instream. These measures include improvements that specifically benefit the Tribe and its members.

Currently, the LOP uses water for irrigation by diverting surface water from within the Lapwai Creek watershed, which is primarily located within the Reservation, along with a small amount from the Captain John Creek drainage, which is outside the reservation and tributary to the Snake River. The annual water availability is often insufficient to meet LOID system demands and contractual obligations, resulting in use restrictions for LOID patrons. Many features and facilities associated with the LOP also are in need of substantial repair, maintenance, and in many cases, total replacement. All these activities come at great cost to Reclamation and LOID. In addition, the LOP facilities and operations are in conflict with tribal cultural and natural resource interests. LOP surface diversions seasonally reduce water availability and connectivity within the Lapwai Creek watershed, resulting in negative impacts to the ESA-listed steelhead using the watershed. Litigation between the Federal government and the Tribe over the effects of the LOP has been stayed while a comprehensive resolution of the Tribes’ legal issues is pursued.

In a 2009 Memorandum of Understanding, the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project (LCEP) stakeholders set forth the goal of seeking a reliable, quality water supply for LOID, and permanently resolving ESA and Federal tribal trust issues surrounding the LOP. In 2011, the LCEP group completed a Rural Water Supply Program (RWSP) Appraisal Study which evaluated alternatives to meet the group’s objectives. The LOP Water Exchange and Title Transfer Project (Project) evolved out of the well field alternative evaluated in the LCEP’s Appraisal Study.

Reclamation and LOID have jointly funded a pilot well to test the viability of the regional aquifer and overall Project. Testing of the pilot well production capacity confirmed the well produces its targeted flow rate and the regional aquifer will likely support more wells in the same general location. With the success of the pilot well and completion of environmental compliance, the project is continuing into the next phase with the construction of a power substation and additional wells.

The general activities to be performed by the NPT are:
1. Coordination and participation as Tribe’s primary technical contact. Participate in all regular coordination meetings of the Lewiston Orchards Project. Provide assistance with coordination of information and developing the legislation required to transfer necessary titles and work with the parties to seek partners.
2. Provide assistance with the development of Management Agreements. Provide assistance to the Tribe and Idaho Department of Fish and Game to develop a management agreement with regards to recreation, fishing, etc. for Reservoir A, Soldiers Meadow Reservoir, and Lake Waha. Provide assistance to the BIA and LOID to develop a management and operations agreement for the use of Reservoir A.
3. Provide assistance during the construction phase. Assist LOID in potential land acquisition for wells, piping, and appurtenant facility construction. Assist LOID and Reclamation in acquiring any city/county/state/federal requirements for construction. Assist LOID in a solution for electricity and a substation necessary for the well field.
4. Provide assistance in developing interim operations for LOID. After the pilot well is completed, by April 1st of each year, participate with LOJD and other parties in developing an annual plan using modeling and analysis to characterize the water year and how LOID operations are projected to meet the flows for successive wells.
5. Provide assistance in implementing methodology for water exchange values. Assist in review of application of the methodology described in the Water Exchange. Coordinate with LOID, NOAA and Reclamation in delineating bypass flows at the Sweetwater and Webb Creek diversion on an annual basis, and develop a plan accordingly identifying how to allocate the available water between Sweetwater and Webb Creeks.
6. Provide assistance in securing water rights. Assist in developing an agreement that will describe with certainty the method of transferring LOP water rights from Reclamation to the BIA in trust for the Contractor so as to allow permanent protection of the water right as described in the Water Exchange to benefit the Nez Perce Tribe and its members.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT
There is no anticipated involvement from Reclamation.