Palo Verde Irrigation district Emergency Short-Term Fallowing Program
Summary
SCH Number
2009048017
Public Agency
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Document Title
Palo Verde Irrigation district Emergency Short-Term Fallowing Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/2/2009
Document Description
The implementation of an emergency, short-term fallowing program within the Palo Verde Irrigation district (PVID) in response to the emergency drought conditions existing in the State of California, including those identified in Governor Schwarzenegger's emergency proclamation issued February 27, 2009. The short-term fallowing program would allow fallowing of up to 15 percent of PVID land irrigated with Priority 1 Colorado River water. This would involve up to 13,350 acres of land that would be enrolled in the program on a voluntary basis. The short-term fallowing program would commence in April as each farmer enrolls in the program, but no later than August 1, to ensure water conservation benefits for diversion by the Metropolitan water District for use within its service area. The project will assists in maintain or replacing water supplies to meet demand in light of the emergency drought conditions that have reduced deliveries of State Water Project and other water supplies.
Contact Information
Name
Raeanne Murphy
Agency Name
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Riverside
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1,4 Sec 154301,15304
Reasons for Exemption
Public resources Code section 21080(b)(3) and 21172 exempt project undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster-stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a statewide drought emergency, and the project will maintain and replace water supplies affected by the drought emergency. Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(4) exempts specific actions necessary to mitigate an emergency. The project is necessary to mitigate the effect of emergency drought conditions on water supplies in southern California. State CEQA Guidelines 15301 exempts projects that involve minor alterations in the operation of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of existing use. The project involves historic, existing use. State CEQA Guidelines 15304 exempts projects that involve minor alterations in the condition of land or vegetation. The project involves temporary fallowing of land that has historically been farmed resulting in a temporary, minor change in use.
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.