Approval of water transfer agreements to allow 8,350 acre feet of Colorado River Aqueduct water to be delivered to Desert Water Agency's Mission Springs..
Summary
SCH Number
2008088220
Public Agency
Desert Water Agency
Document Title
Approval of water transfer agreements to allow 8,350 acre feet of Colorado River Aqueduct water to be delivered to Desert Water Agency's Mission Springs..
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/20/2008
Document Description
On August 19, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Desert Water Agency approved (1) Execution of a Water Supply Agreement Between North Kern Water Storage District and Desert Water Agency, (2) Execution of a Water Supply Agreement Between CPV Sentinel, LLC and Desert Water Agency, and (3) Execution of an Agreement Between the California Department of Water Resources, Kern County Water Agency, and Desert Water Agency for the Transportation of Water in State Water Project Facilities. These agreements authorize the purchase of 8,350 acre feet of water from North Kern Water Storage District and the transfer of that water, via existing State Water Project facilities, to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. In exchange for that water, Metropolitan Water District shall deliver to Desert Water Agency an equal quantity of water from its Colorado River Aqueduct entitlements for delivery to Desert Water Agency's Mission Springs Spreading Grounds for potential future purchase by CPV Sentinel, LLC in connection with a power project being analyzed by the California Energy Commission.
Contact Information
Name
David K. Luker
Agency Name
Desert Water Agency
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Riverside
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec.15301
Reasons for Exemption
Statutory Exemption:Sec.15250
The water transfers approved by Desert Water Agency use existing facilities and a long-established water trade process to obtain 8,350 acre feet of Colorado River Aqueduct water. Desert Water Agency has been using Colorado River Aqueduct water to assist with the natural recharge of the groundwater basin since 1973, and the Agreements do not authorize the expansion of any existing facilities or the construction of any facilities. State CEQA Guidelines section 15301 provides that environmental review is not required for "the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination." Accordingly, the Agreements and the water transfers that they authorize are exempt from environmental review under CEQA. Moreover, Desert Water Agency found that the water transfers do no involve cumulative impacts, potentially significant impacts, unusually sensitive environments, or any other unique or unusual environmental impacts that might merit environmental review.
Additionally, the Board's actions are limited to the water transfer actions approved through this Resolution, because CPV's potential future power project is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the California Energy Commission and will be fully analyzed through an environmental document pursuant to the Commission's certified state regulatory program under Public Resources Code section 21080.5 and State CEQA Guidelines sections 15250 et seq.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.