Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Pilot Program will include projects that incorporate the following five objectives: 1. Reduction of depletion by deficit irrigation, split season fallowing, irrigation method changes, crop changes, fallowing, etc. 2. Quantification of actual depletion reduction using a combination of methods such as space and time comparisons, remote-sensing measurement, and in-situ measurement. 3. Understanding of conditions and considerations under which water users will reduce depletion and participate in a demand management program. 4. Identification of the state and federal regulatory processes that ensure conserved depletion can be stored in a pre-identified reservoir for credit in an authorized Demand Management Program. On the state side, this may involve identifying the best practices for preparing for and filing a change application and understanding the likely conditions and processes for distributing the water, including storing the water. On the federal side, this may involve identifying federal processes for permitting storage of water in federal reservoirs. 5. Determination of the feasibility and risks of storing saved water over a multi-year period. This may include identifying how often a particular water right is available in priority and a reservoir’s operations for storing and spilling water. Analysis of historical hydrology, current water demands of the river system, priority distribution of direct flow and storage water rights (including spills) of the river system, and operations for storage, carry-over, and spills pertaining to a particular reservoir may also be necessary.
