Title
Consider recommendation from the Permits/Enforcement Committee to approve a temporary moratorium on the processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board approve a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater, and direct general counsel to prepare such a moratorium for board consideration.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Permits/Enforcement Committee recommendation to impose a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater ("BIG"). At the February 28 Permits/Enforcement Committee meeting, staff presented a discussion paper describing potential changes to the EAA's BIG conversion rules. The committee directed to develop these proposed rule changes. To avoid confusion in the regulated community and to allow appropriate time for a full consideration of potential rule changes and their potential impact to the permitting program as a whole, the committee also voted to recommend the board impose a temporary moratorium on future applications to convert BIG other than those applications to convert BIG based on the installation of conservation equipment (under Section 711.342(5) of the EAA rules) or on the actual development of 75% or more of a historically irrigated property (under Section 711.342(6)(A) of the EAA rules). It is intended that this moratorium would only be in place for the time it takes to make any changes to current rules that are deemed appropriate by the EAA Board of Directors. Staff anticipates that the moratorium would expire no later than December 31, 2017.
At the February 28 meeting, the Permits/Enforcement Committee voted to recommend the board approve a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of certain applications to convert base irrigation groundwater, and direct general...
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