Background
     The Walla Walla Subbasin Plan identifies three imminent threats to ESA listed fish species including "...areas of the stream that seasonally go dry..." and recommends that they be the highest priority for restoration "...regardless of whether they are located in a priority geographic area."   As a critical limiting factor, restoration of instream flows must be addressed to achieve recovery of ESA-listed Mid-Columbia steelhead and bull trout and ensure the success of reintroduced spring Chinook salmon in the Walla Walla Basin.  The Gardena Farms Irrigation District (GFID) has the largest WA water right in the Walla Walla Basin at approximately 100 cfs.  Because of its location, size and the potential for substantial water savings, considerable work has been done by agencies and planning and implementation entities to facilitate and encourage piping of the GFID ditch.  A Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan (CIDMP) which estimated the seepage and evaporation losses of the various components of the ditch was completed in 2003.  According to the CIDMP, the total quantity of water lost to seepage and evaporation in the 27 miles of open ditch in the Gardena system is approximately 26.03 cfs.  
     Consistent with the recommendations of the Subbasin Plan, the Walla Walla County Conservation District (WWCCD) and (GFID) are working cooperatively to reduce water loss due to seepage and evaporation by converting the GFID's open ditch conveyance system to buried pipeline. BPA has provided funding to WWCCD for installation of piping in two sections of the 27 mile long GFID ditch which have been completed.  In 2002 under BPA contract 00007844-1 WWCCD installed 2.18 miles of buried gravity pipeline in the Riggs Rd. lateral and the Huesby-Bennington lateral for a total water savings of 1.85 cfs.  In 2009-10 under BPA contract number 42762 WWCCD installed the South Lateral pipeline which converted approximately 6 miles of open ditch in the southern branch of the main ditch system to buried gravity pipeline.  This project saved approximately 3.99 cfs.  
Future GFID Pipeline Projects
     WWCCD has funding and plans to complete the downstream portion of the GFID pipeline system within the next 9-12 months.  To accomplish this WWCCD must first address the necessity for infrastructure that will safely redirect diverted irrigation water moving down the GFID ditch back to the Walla Walla River in the event of a failure in the downstream pipeline. The GFID Upper Ditch 2800’ Pipeline project will install a highly engineered multi purpose structure that will safely redirect flows in the case of an emergency.  WWCCD can then proceed with installation of the GFID North Lateral Pipeline project which will complete the GFID downstream pipeline and distribution system.
            
Project Description -- GFID Upper Ditch 2800’ Pipeline
    The GFID Upper Ditch 2800' Pipeline project will consist of:  
a) A multi purpose concrete structure which will be installed at Ditch Mile 11.0 where flow from the open ditch will enter the new pipeline.  Flow entering the structure will be filtered by traveling belt screens which are housed by the structure which will remove weeds and other debris.  Water exiting the structure will be guided into dual 42” diameter pipes which “Y” into the main pipeline a short distance downstream.  In the event of an obstruction of flow in the pipeline, the multi purpose structure will redirect excess flow into an existing overflow channel which will return it to the Walla Walla River via Pine Creek..    
b) 2800 ft of buried large diameter (66” and dual 42”) gravity pipeline between the new multi purpose structure and an existing buried concrete clad steel pipe which carries GFID water under the Pine Creek depression and then reconnects to the GFID ditch 1.44 miles downstream.
c) 3300 ft of secondary small diameter (12” and 15”) on-farm buried lateral pipeline.
d) Upgrade of 4 on-farm pump stations.
e) An outlet control valve which controls flow exiting the pipeline and backwaters flow for the irrigation diversions.          

Funding
     This project is funded by cost sharing between BPA and WA Dept Ecology (ECY).  ECY funding will be used to purchase the pipe for the main pipeline.  BPA and ECY will share the expense for excavation and installation of the main pipeline and materials and labor for installation of the on-farm laterals and pump stations.    
Benefits
     The GFID 2800’ project is expected to save approximately 0.82 cfs which will be transferred to Ecology's Trust program where it will be protected as instream flow.  
Post Construction O&M
       With completion of the GFID Upper Ditch 2800’ Pipeline project Gardena Farms Irrigation District will take ownership and assume O&M responsibilities for the pipeline and attendant structures.  WWCCD will utilize an agreement format similar to the Attachment entitled “Example of O& M Agreement for Similar Project”.

BLI AMENDMENT
Project Description -- GFID North Lateral Pipeline
     The GFID North Lateral pipeline project starts at the downstream end of the GFID Upper Ditch 2800’ pipeline project which terminates at the outlet of the existing Pine Creek siphon.  The North Lateral project consists of the following components:

a) A “Y” fitting which divides the 42” input pipeline into a 42” outlet that connects to the new North Lateral pipeline and a 36” outlet that connects to the head of the existing South Lateral pipeline via a new 1,500 ft section of mainline that will be installed by this project.
b) New flow control valves will be installed on both outlets of the “Y” fitting where they will be used to control flows into the North and South Lateral pipelines.  Both the 42” North Lateral flow control valve and the 36” South Lateral flow control valve will be equipped with telemetry controlled electronic actuators which will allow flows to be controlled either manually or remotely from the GFID office.
c) 28,485 ft. of buried gravity pipeline between the flow control valves and the ends of the pipelines.  This includes the 1,500 ft. section that connects to the head of the South Lateral.
d) 14,000 ft of buried on-farm lateral pipeline.
e) 37 on-farm pump stations which will be upgraded as necessary to operate the new piped conveyance system.
f)   A telemetry system comprised of electronic flow meters, sensors and electronic actuators that will allow the GFID staff to monitor water use, ensure proper operation of essential components of the system and control water distribution.
Funding
      The GFID North Lateral pipeline is funded by cost sharing between Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), BPA and ECY.  Reclamation funding ($1.0M) will be used exclusively for the construction of the section of pipeline between DM 12.9 and DM 15.8.  ECY funds are flexible and will be used as needed for installation of the  GFID North Lateral project.  BPA funds ($500,000) will be used as indicated in the Line Item Budget which will be an Attachment in PISCES.    
Benefits
     The GFID North Lateral pipeline is expected to save 5.13 cfs which will be transferred to Ecology's Trust program where it will be protected as instream flow.  This will bring the total water savings by BPA funded projects up to 11.79 cfs (GFID Riggs Rd. & Huesby/Bennington pipeline--1.85 cfs, GFID South lateral pipeline—3.99 cfs, GFID Upper Ditch 2800’ pipeline—0.82 cfs, and GFID North Lateral pipeline—5.13 cfs).  WWCCD is currently preparing the application to transfer the saved water from the GFID irrigation water right to the Ecology Trust program.
Construction Schedule
      The desired construction schedule is to complete the entire GFID North Lateral pipeline project in the December, 2012 – March, 2013 non irrigation window.  If this is not possible then WWCCD will schedule construction of the incomplete section for the summer non-irrigation season (July 2013 – October 2013).
Post Construction O&M
       With completion of the GFID North Lateral Pipeline project Gardena Farms Irrigation District will take ownership and assume O&M responsibilities for the pipeline and attendant structures.  WWCCD will utilize an agreement format similar to the PISCES Attachment entitled “Example of O& M Agreement for Similar Project”.