SCH Number 2024060672

Project Info

Title

Smith River Water Diversion Replacement Project

Description

The Alexandre Dairy is proposing the project to restore a riparian water right for APN 103-020-074 to irrigate approximately 355 acres of agricultural land which is grazed annually for organic milk production. The purpose of the project is maximize pasture irrigation during the late spring and summer during traditionally dry periods on the coast to allow the harvest of winter feeds (silage and grass hay) and grazing by: (1) replacing a functionally obsolete water diversion with a new structure that meets current NMFS standards and regulations and (2) conveying the water by means of a new underground pipeline, minimizing evaporation and groundwater penetration which previously occurred through an open conveyance ditch. The 4,500-foot-long underground water supply will irrigate the Ranch’s approximately 355 acres, which makes up APN 103-020-074 from May 1st through September 31st annually. Start dates may vary depending on the farm’s annual precipitation, which dictates pump start and stop periods on an annual basis, as this region generally experiences 76 inches of annual rainfall.

2 documents in project