Public comment is now being taken on a proposal by Farmers Irrigation District and partners to modernize irrigation infrastructure to increase water conservation, water conveyance, and operational efficiency in District owned-infrastructure.  By converting open-ditch irrigation canals into underground, closed-pipe systems, and improving other infrastructure, the proposed Farmers Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project is intended to reduce seepage losses and improve the District’s ability to efficiently provide water.  The project is sponsored by the Farmers Irrigation District, with funding and technical support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farmers Conservation Alliance.  A public scoping meeting will be held on June 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Zoom, and registration is available at oregonwatershedplans.org.  Public comments may be submitted through July 15 at oregonwatershedplans.org.  Following the public scoping period, project partners will develop a Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment that will enable NRCS to apply for funding to construct the irrigation improvements.