(a) For new water right authorizations which increase
the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted as
described in §298.10 of this title (relating to Applicability),
the determination of the hydrologic condition for a particular season
shall be determined once per season. The Palmer Hydrologic Drought
Index (PHDI) value present on the last day of the month of the preceding
season, as reported by the National Weather Service, and calculated
for the geographic area as described in subsection (b) of this section,
will determine the hydrologic condition for the following season.
For each measurement point specified in this section, the PHDI Index
will determine the hydrologic condition, as described in subsection
(c) of this section.
(b) The percentage of each climatic division within
each geographic area, as defined in §298.455 of this title (relating
to Definitions), are:
Attached Graphic
(c) For all measurement points, based on the geographic
area in which the measurement point is located, as defined in §298.455
of this title, the PHDI Index and the corresponding hydrologic conditions
are:
Attached Graphic
(d) The PHDI Index for the hydrologic conditions, as
set out in subsection (b) of this section govern the operations of
permits subject to this subchapter during the initial period, not
longer than ten years, until the environmental flow standards in this
subchapter are reevaluated. The PHDI Index was calculated to achieve
compliance with the percentages of time for dry, average, and wet
conditions of 25%, 50%, and 25%, respectively. The PHDI Index set
out in subsection (c) of this section will be recalculated, no less
frequently than once every ten years, in order to achieve, to the
greatest extent possible, compliance with the percentages of time
for dry, average, and wet conditions of 25%, 50%, and 25%, respectively.
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