LATEST NEWS

NORTHERN WASH. COUNTIES BEMOAN WATER TRANSFERS

By SHANNON DININNY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

TONASKET, Wash. -- When Ray Colbert wanted out after five decades of growing apples, his son didn't want the farm in Washington's rugged sagebrush just south of the Canadian border. No one else did either. Complete Story

With sorrow, we acknowledgethe passing of former Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys, who died last week in a plane accident.  Staff of the Senate Energy Committee remember Mr. Keys as an exceptional public servant and an all-around great guy.  On Wednesday, Chairman Bingaman added this tribute to the Congressional Record. Complete Story

VARIOUS NEWS ARTICLES ON FORMER BUREAU OF RECLAMATION COMMISSIONER JOHN KEYS

We have linked several recent news stories on John Keys. News Stories

MEMORIAL SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR JOHN KEYS

There has been an outpouring of sympathy from within Reclamation and throughout the West on the loss of former Commissioner John Keys.  I have just received further information that I wanted to share with you.

Three memorial services will be held.  The dates and times are as follows Complete Story

ECOLOGY NEWS RELEASE: UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER WATER MEASURING PROGRAM LAUNCHED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 4, 2008
08-151

YAKIMA – Water users between Wells Dam and Priest Rapids Dam can participate in a cost-sharing program to install metering devices and voluntarily report their diversions from the Columbia River. Complete Story

COMMISSION JOHN KEYS DIES IN PLANE ACCIDENT

The Reclamation family lost Commissioner John Keys on Friday, May 30, 2008. Commissioner Keys was piloting a plane over Canyonlands National Park when it crashed about 10:00 am Friday morning. Both he and a passenger were killed. Commissioner Keys was part of Reclamation for nearly 40 years. He worked in most of our regions as well as our Denver Office. He was Pacific Northwest Regional Director for over 12 years. He retired from Reclamation only to return to be Commissioner for five more years. Read Commissioner Johnson's email to staff on John Keys.

PLANE CRASH KILLS FORMER RECLAMATION BOSS AND ARIZONA MAN

Associated Press
Published: Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:16 p.m. MDT

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office says John W. Keys III, 66, of Moab, and Gary Kramer, 49, of Scottsdale, Ariz., died when the plane went down around 10:30 a.m. Friday in the park's Needles District.

Keys was flying the Cessna 172 on a scenic flight over Canyonlands when it went down.

Keys worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for nearly 40 years and once served as the Pacific Northwest regional director. When he retired from Reclamation in 2006, Interior Secretary Gale Norton praised him for his work in developing the Water 2025 Initiative intended to avoid future water crises in the West.

A friend, John Weisheit, says Keys was in the midst of a campaign for a seat on the Grand County Council.

The plane's wreckage was found Friday and the bodies were recovered. The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration the National Transportation Safety Board.

SUNNYSIDE IRRIGATION DISTRICT RECEIVES COMMISSIONER'S CONSERVATION AWARD

Pacific Northwest Region
Boise, Idaho
Media Contact: John Redding (208) 378-5212
Released On: May 16, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation manages and protects water resources throughout the American West, working in cooperation with others and recognizing those who stand out in their effort to manage water responsibly. Complete Story

SUMMER VISITOR HOURS EXTENDED AT GRAND COULEE DAM, LASER SHOW STARTS MAY 24

Pacific Northwest Region
Boise, Idaho
Media Contact: Lynne Brougher  (509) 633-9503  John Redding (208) 378-5212
Released On: May 15, 2008

The Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center on the Columbia River will extend its hours for the summer, beginning May 24. The popular, evening Laser Show will also start on May 24 and run nightly through the end of September. Complete Story

YAKIMA BASIN WATER SUPPLY - MAY FORECAST

Pacific Northwest Region
Boise, Idaho
Media Contact: John Redding  (208) 378-5212 Chuck Garner (509) 575-5848 ext. 205

Released On: May 09, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the May 2008, forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, the snowpack, and precipitation data. Complete Story

IRRIGATION DISTRICT MANAGER HONORED FOR SYSTEM REHAB WORK

John Craig
Staff writer
May 8, 2008

Kathleen Small, manager of the Pasadena Park Irrigation District, is to be honored today as the state's No. 1 leak-plugger. Complete Story

2008 WESTERN WATER SEMINAR

The 2008 Western Water Seminar will be held July 28-30, 2008, at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. Complete details for reservations can be found here. 2008 Western Water Seminar

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