Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads • Entered by Joanne Richter on December 4, 2019
Preparing comments on the Upper Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
December 3, 2019
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 2 |
| Post Admin hours | 0.5 |
| Activity Hours | 8 |
| Participants | 2 |
| Total Hours | 18.5 |
Key Issue: Water-related Conservation
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Central Oregon LandWatch
Short Description of Activity
Amy Stuart provided extensive comments on the Draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Upper Deschutes River. This document basically allows Central OR Irrigation District to “take” listed salmonid species that spawn and rear in the Upper Deschutes River Basin including Crooked River and it’s tributaries, and the Upper Deschutes River and it’s tributaries. The plan basically establishes the status quo of insufficient winter flows for 5 years, then proposes a gradual increase up to 300 cfs over the next 20 years. This is outrageous given that the river used to run between 500 – 700 cfs year-around. I also submitted my own personal comments on the plan, and sent talking points to our members to encourage them to comment.
Reflection/Evaluation
I expect the HCP to be litigated because it’s falls so short of the minimum winter and maximum summer flows that are needed in the Upper Deschutes Basin to support listed salmonid species and the spotted frog.