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<br />CDIVI <br /> <br />SWSI Phase 2 Technical Roundtable <br />Agricultural Transfer Alternatives to Permanent Dry-up <br /> <br />. Continued agricultural use of lands maintains the open space nature of the <br />property to the benefit of the general public. If water is transferred from irrigated <br />lands, the land may be more susceptible to development for other uses, since <br />nonirrigated agricultural use will be les economically viable. <br /> <br />. There is a potential loss of wetlands, terrestrial, and riparian habitat. Return flows <br />from irrigated agriculture often result in the creation of local wetlands, terrestrial, <br />and riparian habitat. <br /> <br />. Approximately 2 to 3 acre-feet (AF) of storage is required to produce 1 AF of firm <br />annual yield for M&I use. Agricultural transfer yields are not, by themselves, firm <br />since they are typically seasonal and agricultural users typically endure larger <br />shortages during droughts that municipalities can tolerate. Storage for M&I use is <br />needed to carryover agricultural supplies from the irrigation season to the non- <br />irrigation months and to ensure that adequate water can be stored in average to <br />above average runoff years for use in below average years. The actual amount <br />required is dependent upon the seniority of the agricultural water rights to be <br />transferred. <br /> <br />. In addition to the storage requirements of 2 to 3 AF of storage, approximately 2 AF <br />of average annual agricultural yield is also required to produce 1 AF of firm annual <br />yield for M&I use. The actual amount required is dependent upon the seniority of <br />the agricultural water rights to be transferred. <br /> <br />. Return flows from agricultural lands may provide important seasonal <br />environmental flow benefits, the timing of which may be altered by a transfer. For <br />example, flood irrigation of mountain meadow hay fields often result in delayed <br />return flows, supporting aquatic habitat in the late fall and winter months. <br /> <br />. There is a potential negative impact on groundwater tables and wells in the area <br />unless historical returns are made in the exact location. Many domestic and <br />irrigation wells are kept viable by the return flows from irrigation. <br /> <br />6. Alternatives to Permanent Dry-up <br /> <br />There are several types of agricultural transfers that have been proposed as <br />alternatives to the permanent dry-up of irrigated lands including interruptible supply <br />agreements, rotating fallowing and water banks. These alternatives are briefly <br />discussed below and will form the initial basis for discussion and evaluation by the <br />TRT. <br /> <br />Interruptible Agricultural Transfers <br /> <br />Interruptible agricultural transfers consist of temporary arrangements where <br />agricultural water rights can be used for other purposes. The agreement with <br />agricultural users allows for the temporary cessation of irrigation so that the water <br />can be used to meet other needs. <br /> <br />DRAFT <br /> <br />11 <br /> <br />S:\MEETINGS\TECHNICAL ROUNDTABLE\TRT MEETING - SPECIFIC\AL TERNATIVE AG TRANSFERS\SWSI TRT ALTERNATIVES TO PERMANENT DRY-UP BRIEFING 9-6-05_CJEDOC <br />