LADWP's proposed Sprinkler Irrigation Reduction Program

On September 7, 2005, the Inyo County Water Department received the following notice of preparation from LADWP:  Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report on the Sprinkler Irrigation Water Conservation Incentive Program (1.4 MB) - includes an Initial Environmental Study. 

Excerpted Project Description: "LADWP proposes to implement a water conservation program to promote irrigation efficiency on LADWP lands in Inyo County that are leased as pastures for livestock grazing and alfalfa fields and are irrigated using sprinklers. The program, on a voluntary basis, would allow lessees to receive a financial credit for reducing water use by increasing sprinkler irrigation efficiency. The financial credit would be 5 percent of the rent payment for the land leased with each 0.1 acre-foot per acre (AF/acre) of water conserved below the current allotment of 5 AF/acre. The maximum credit a lessee would be allowed to receive is 75 percent of the total rent, corresponding to 1.5 AF/acre of water conserved. LADWP would provide guidance and assistance for increasing sprinkler irrigation efficiency through non-structural improvements. The program would be implemented by including new provisions in the lease agreements at the time of renewal or in separate water conservation agreements to be signed by LADWP and the lessees."

Inyo County's response to LADWP's Notice of Preparation

On October 7, 2005, Inyo County responded with this letter to LADWP.

Extracted Primary Points: 

• "The City shall not reduce the amount of water that it provides for uses in the Owens Valley pursuant to Section IV. A of the Long Term Water Agreement..."
• "The proposed project includes irrigated lands identified as mitigation in the 1991 EIR."
• "The EIR should provide a description of the baseline conditions to be used to assess whether changes on the lands that will be subject to the project in the future would constitute a significant impact and whether conditions are consistent with the goals and principles of the Water Agreement."
• "The EIR should describe whether the project results in a change of the source of irrigation water to the lands that will be affected by the project."
• "The EIR should provide a clear and complete description of the conservation methods that will be implemented on each lease that is subject to the proposed project."
• "The EIR should clearly describe if a lessee opts to join the program, can the lessee later opt out of the program, and if so, will the water supply to the lease revert to five-acre feet per acre?"
• "The EIR should address the potential impacts resulting from a reduction in runoff or tailwater from irrigated lands that would occur under the proposed project."
• Conclusion: "We strongly urge the LADWP to bring the details of this proposed project to the Technical Group and/or the Standing Committee, as may be appropriate under the terms of the Water Agreement, for consideration at the earliest possible time."