Policy Now In Place for Inter-District Transfer of Groundwater

In March, Board members approved a policy to approve variance requests for well permits/expansion of acres with an existing well involving inter-district transfers of groundwater. This policy will not only provide consistency in the variance approval process but also encourage collaboration with neighboring NRDs. In order to approve a variance request under this policy, three conditions must be met:

1.       The applicant is following all rules and regulations of the LENRD.

2.       When all, or a portion of, the groundwater withdrawn from the proposed/existing well will be used for irrigation in a neighboring NRD, the neighboring District must first grant their approval for the intended use before well operation may begin.

3.      All new consumptive use associated with the proposed new/existing well will be governed by the rules and regulations of the LENRD.