justnorth posted on August 22, 2007 16:48 :: 1094 Views
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it is allowing farmers who have ground water irrigation permits to increase the amount of water they can put on their crops.
Kent Lokkesmoe, director of the DNR Division of Waters, said the amount allowed to be pumped from ground water sources may be increased for the 2007 growing season due to higher demands caused by drought conditions. This is similar to actions taken by the DNR during the droughts in 1976, 1988 and 2006.
Approximately 3,600 farmers have DNR permits to irrigate from ground water sources, Lokkesmoe said. An additional 500 farmers have DNR permits to irrigate from streams or lakes.
"Most irrigation permits allow farmers to pump an average of 12 to 16 inches of ground water over each acre of crop land for the entire year. Because of the dry weather outlook, however, this figure has been increased for the 2007 growing season to the amount required to bring the crop to maturity," Lokkesmoe said.
Lokkesmoe said farmers who do not have irrigation permits must obtain them before they begin water withdrawal. Applications for irrigation are currently being given priority by the DNR, and are being processed in the order in which they are received.
He also reminded farmers to keep accurate pumping records as a condition for receiving the permits. He urged farmers to make sure their irrigation system is in good working order and that they are practicing water conservation measures to insure the maximum benefit from the water.
Lokkesmoe emphasized the authorization to increase the total amount of water withdrawn does not apply to irrigators whose wells are causing problems for neighboring wells.
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