OIG opened an investigation based on the findings of an OIG audit of the Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA), Klamath Falls, OR, which had a cooperative agreement with the U.S Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to administer the Water User Mitigation Program. The audit reported concerns that Klamath Falls irrigators received KWAPA funds to keep fields idled, or not watered, but continued to water their fields.
We did not find evidence to support or refute allegations that farmers accepted funds from KWAPA to keep fields idled then continued to water those fields. Due to significant rainfall in the Klamath Basin immediately prior to starting our investigation, we could not inspect the fields to determine if any had been irrigated. A former Director of KWAPA refuted the allegations, citing effective monitoring and controls.
At the time of our report, KWAPA had ceased operations and USBR had resumed responsibility for the Water User Mitigation Program.