1. (a) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e), for water rights with a priority date before September 22, 2000, the maximum reasonable annual quantity of water that may be approved for either of the following shall be that quantity of water reasonably necessary to irrigate crops in the region of the state where the proposed place of use is located as specified in K.A.R. 5-3-19(a):

   1. (1) An application for change in place of use for irrigation filed pursuant to K.S.A. 82a-708b and amendments thereto; or
   2. (2) a request to reduce the authorized place of use for irrigation for a water right filed pursuant to K.A.R. 5-7-5.

2. (b) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e), for water rights with a priority date on or after September 22, 2000, the maximum reasonable annual quantity of water that may be approved for either of the following shall be that quantity of water reasonably necessary to irrigate crops in the region of the state where the proposed place of use is located as specified in K.A.R. 5-3-19(b):

   1. (1) An application for change in place of use for irrigation filed pursuant to K.S.A. 82a-708b and amendments thereto; or
   2. (2) a request to reduce the authorized place of use for a water right filed pursuant to K.A.R. 5-7-5.

3. (c) The maximum reasonable quantities approvable in subsections (a) and (b) shall not exceed either of the following:

   1. (1) The applicable quantity specified in either subsection (a) or (b); or
   2. (2) the maximum quantity of acre-feet per acre authorized by the vested water right or certificate of appropriation, whichever is greater. The maximum authorized quantity of acre-feet per acre shall be calculated by dividing the maximum annual quantity of water authorized when the application for change or request to reduce is filed by the number of acres authorized when the application for change is filed.

4. (d) The quantities specified in subsections (a), (b), and (c) may be exceeded only if the applicant demonstrates to the chief engineer that the requested quantity is reasonable for the intended irrigation use, is not wasteful, and will not otherwise prejudicially and unreasonably affect the public interest and if either of the following conditions is met:

   1. (1) Because of specialty crops or other unusual conditions, the quantity specified in K.A.R. 5-3-19(a) is insufficient.

   2. (2) A request for reduction of the authorized place of use is made for a water right located in both the Rattlesnake Creek Subbasin and the Big Bend Groundwater Management District Number Five to comply with the agriculture water enhancement program and both of the following conditions are met:

      1. (A) The reduction of the authorized place of use will lead to an overall reduction in water use.
      2. (B) The reduction of the authorized place of use pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) requires the approval of any future reduction or change to a water right so reduced to meet the requirements in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e) of this regulation and in K.A.R. 5-5-11.
5. (e) The maximum annual quantity of water approved pursuant to this regulation shall not exceed the maximum annual quantity of water authorized by the water right when the change application is approved.

(Authorized by K.S.A. 82a-706a; implementing K.S.A. 2009 Supp. 82a-707(e) and K.S.A. 2009 Supp. 82a-708b; effective Sept. 22, 2000; amended, T-5-8-16-10, Aug. 16, 2010; amended Nov. 19, 2010.)