Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Subject 391-3-28 - FLINT RIVER DROUGHT PROTECTION
Rule 391-3-28-.06 - Irrigated Acrage Determination

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 391-3-28-.06

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) If severe drought conditions are declared on or before March 1 of the year, in accordance with 391-3-28-.04, the Division may determine:

(a) the total number of acres of irrigated agricultural land serviced by irrigation systems located within the affected area,

(b) the maximum amount of agricultural acreage which may be safely irrigated that year within the affected area, and

(c) the corresponding amount of ground-water-irrigated acreage and surface-water-irrigated acreage which should not be irrigated that year in order to maintain an acceptable Flint River stream flow. These acceptable stream flow levels shall be determined by the Director.

(2) This acreage determination may be done by the following process:

(a) Calculated level of unreasonable impact.

The Division shall conduct computer modeling or other methods of evaluating the surface water-groundwater interactions using cumulative irrigation acreage, which is the total amount of acreage actually irrigated or proposed to be irrigated (TA). The Division shall also determine the amount of proposed irrigation acreage where the models or other methods first indicate that unreasonable flow reductions below acceptable stream flow levels on the Flint River or its tributaries may occur. This defines the maximum amount of acreage which may be irrigated (MA) during that year.

(b) If the total amount of actual irrigation acreage (TA) is found to be less than the calculated level of unreasonable impact acreage (MA), then no reduction of agricultural irrigation usage by limiting irrigation acreage is required during that declared severe drought year.

(c) If the total amount of actual irrigation acreage (TA) is found to be greater than the calculated level of unreasonable impact acreage (MA), then a situation exists where reductions in irrigation acreage should be implemented to avoid unreasonable impacts on river flows. The total amount of acreage reduction (RA) shall be found by subtracting the calculated amount of unreasonable impact acreage from total irrigation acreage amount. The resulting acreage amount shall be the total number of acres of irrigated land which should be taken out of irrigation during that declared severe drought year.

O.C.G.A. § 12-5-540 et seq.

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