Participation Requirements for Districts: Any district participating in the project must have defined state district boundaries, a management structure that can ensure that water is applied only where the water use is authorized, a full and accurate measurement of the water appropriated, and have on file statements by any landowner affected by the water use change indicating that the landowner agrees to the change.
How Temporary Transfers are Processed Under the Pilot Project: The OWRD transfer staff annually publish public notice of authorized districts planning to participate in the upcoming irrigation season. To temporarily change the place of use of water rights under the pilot project, districts are required to have on file and provide their local watermaster with an accurate map identifying the location of the “from” and “to” lands involved in changes. The watermaster then reviews the transfer locations for injury and enlargement, makes random field checks for compliance, investigates complaints, and maintains records of the place of use changes.
Difference between a Standard District Temporary Transfer and a Pilot Project Transfer: Under the pilot project, districts may temporarily transfer the place of use of water to any lands within district boundaries without filing a transfer application, or paying fees, thereby minimizing processing normally required by the OWRD. Most of the work associated with the transfer is undertaken by watermaster staff instead of the Water Right Services Division staff. For a pilot project transfer, Water Right Services Division staff do not receive, process, or review a transfer application; or draft or issue a final order for approval or denial. Like for other types of transfers, watermasters still review the transfer locations for injury and enlargement, make random field checks for compliance, investigate complaints, and regulate illegal water use. Watermasters also have the additional duty to maintain records of the place of use changes.