Sec 45-152.01. Instream flow applications; process; definition

A. In addition to the information prescribed in section 45-152, any person, including the United States, this state or a municipality, who files an instream flow application after the effective date of this section shall comply with the following:

1. The applicant shall submit at least five years of streamflow measurement data to support the proposed beneficial use which shall be submitted at the time the application is filed. The director shall not accept for filing an instream flow application that is not accompanied by at least five years of continuous streamflow measurement data. The streamflow data submitted shall consist of gauged on-site measurements of available water flow from the area in which the claimed beneficial use occurs.

2. The instream flow application shall describe the proposed beneficial use and shall specify both of the following:

(a) The amount of streamflow required for the proposed beneficial use.

(b) The availability of the requested flows during claimed periods of beneficial use.

B. Applications that are submitted after the effective date of this section shall be rejected if the application does not comply with this section.

C. For the purposes of this section, "instream flow application" means an application for a permit to make an appropriation of water for purposes of recreation or wildlife, including fish, in a specific stream reach without diverting the water from the stream.