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Ms. Kerry Sullivan <br /> April 8, 1992 <br /> Page 11 <br /> Page 4.6 - 10 <br /> No diversion from the Mokelumne River (i.e., under appropriate right) was assumed,since it has <br /> not been established(by the applicant or the State Division of Water Rights) that there is water C183 <br /> available for appropriation in sufficient quantity and frequency to be of any significance to the <br /> lakes'water supply needs. <br /> Portions of the property are riparian. Riparian users have a correlative right to use natural flow and can <br /> store up to 30-days' need. <br /> Page 4.6- 12 <br /> The water balance calculations show the make-up water requirementto be in the range of 200 to <br /> 400 acre-feet during the iate summer and early fall of these dry years. In order to meet the <br /> water needs of the project, as presently planned, this water would be obtained either from <br /> groundwater pumping, from summer diversions from the Mokelumne River under riparian right <br /> (see following discussion),or from a combination of these two sources. This amount of water, if <br /> obtained entirely from the Mokelumne River, could represent a diversion of as much as 10 to 15 C184 <br /> percent of the summer streamflow in the river. Indications from the Department of Water <br /> Resources (DWR) are that no summer diversions are likely to be permissible for environmental <br /> reasons (Cassel, 1991). If obtained from groundwater, it would be equal to twice to three times <br /> the present amount of groundwater withdrawal, and would exceed the estimated local recharge <br /> of the aquifer, adding to the existing overdraft conditions in the area. Obtaining a portion of the <br /> required make-up from both sources would lessen the magnitude of the individual impacts on <br /> the river and on the aquifer. <br /> The plan is to fill the lakes from natural runoff in Jahant Slough and excess flows in the Mokelumne River <br /> (pursuant to riparian and aoorooriative rights, once obtained) during the winter and spring runoff. <br /> Groundwater pumping will be confined to necessity and will be within recognized water rights and much <br /> less than would occur if the property was irrigated similarly to the adjacent farms. <br /> Page 4.6 - 17 <br /> Mitigation 4.6-2 <br /> The applicant should apply for and obtain an appropriative water right permit for the increased <br /> storage of runoff from Jahant Slough or from diversion of runoff from the Mokelumne River.. This C185 <br /> will include the completion of any studies, as required by the State Division of Water Rights, <br /> including determination of the availability of such water in Jahant Slough and the lower reaches <br /> of Mokelumne River for appropriation. <br /> We will apply for such permits. <br /> Page 4.6 - 18 <br /> Mitigation 4.6-3(a) <br /> Dry season diversion of water from the Mokelumne River for irrigation, under claim of riparian <br /> right, should be limited to an amount determined to not adversely affect instream flow <br /> requirements or the existing water users. Prior to final map approval, the applicant should <br /> complete an inventory of existing water uses and instream flow requirements during the summer C186 <br /> to deterrr'ne the amount of water available for summer diversion, and the applicant's equitable <br /> share of such water. This',nventory should focus on summerflow allocations and environmental <br /> LII-L% <br />