DESCRIPTION
The goal of this Local Water Plan is to enhance the instream flow conditions in Mud Creek, from the upstream property boundary to the confluence with the Walla Walla River,as well as in the Walla Walla River from river mile 31 to as far as the its confluence with the Columbia River, depending on river conditions and diversion patterns. Flow enhancement will be conveyed in part by a shallow aquifer recharge project, which will utilize a portion of the included surface water rights from November 1st - May 30th. Landowner enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) of up to 1 mile of Mud Creek will also provide water quality benefits in the forms of reduced sediment loads and cooler water temperatures. Benefits to the landowner are conveyed by the expansion of places of use for multiple included surface and ground water rights, and other supporting changes. These changes enable more flexible management of irrigation over the entirety of the landowner's property, without expansion of the water rights. The landowner may also opt to pursue a permit for an Environmental Enhancement Project through the WA Department of Ecology, in order to increase the maximum rate and annual quantity of water supplied from Mud Creek and the Walla Walla River for the purpose of shallow aquifer recharge. A portion of the included water rights are also placed into the Partnership's Water Bank on a non-use basis.