Draft code would require on‑site irrigation use to support aquifer recharge; removes outdated groundwater study reference
Staff proposed edits to aquifer‑protection language that remove the phrase "agricultural land," require applicants to show how on‑site irrigation water or shares will be used to meet irrigation demands and help recharge the aquifer, and remove a cross‑reference to an outdated Franklin County groundwater study evaluation.
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As part of the code clean‑up, staff proposed revisions to the aquifer‑protection section that change how irrigation water and water shares are treated in proposed subdivisions. Mr. Henry read the revised language stating that when a proposed development has irrigation water or shares from an irrigation company within Franklin County and the water is reasonably available, "the applicant shall demonstrate how the existing irrigation water and or shares will be utilized to meet irrigation demands and ... to ensure the recharge of the aquifer and prevent the depletion of aquifer by ... culinary well consumption."
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