Adjustments to 1988 Operating Criteria and Procedures (OCAP) for the Newlands Irrigation Project in Nevada

Resumo

This proposed rule adjusts the 1988 OCAP for the Newlands Irrigation Project (Project). The 1988 OCAP anticipated that irrigated acreage in the Project would increase to 64,850 acres. In 1995, irrigated Project acreage was approximately 59,023 acres. Adjustments are proposed to the Project efficiency requirements, maximum allowable diversion calculations, and Lahontan Reservoir storage targets in the 1988 OCAP to reflect current irrigated acreage and court decrees which have lowered the water duty applicable to certain Project lands. To better manage diversions from the Truckee River to the Project, additional proposed adjustments to the 1988 OCAP provide flexibility in using snowpack and runoff forecasts and extending the time frame for storing water in Truckee River reservoirs in lieu of diversions to the Project from the Truckee River.