Storm Drain Flow Diversion to Recharge Facilities

Document Description: Storm drain flows have historically been discharged into Kern Delta Canals for at least the past forty (40) years. These flows are difficult to manage as they occur with little or no notice. As such, disposal of such storm flows is difficult for Kern Delta. In the past, Kern Delta has not had the ability to manage these storm flows by diversion into recharge/spreading basins. Kern Delta now proposes to divert some or all of the storm flows discharged through the existing storm drain inlets to existing recharge/spreading basins located adjacent to the Kern Delta Canals. The storm flows would continue to be discharged into the Kern Delta Canals, some or all of the storm flows would be diverted into the recharge/spreading basins through existing facilities. The project would not involve construction of any new facilities. The diversion of storm flows into existing recharge/spreading basins will benefit the City of Bakersfield, County of Kern and landowners, as Kern Delta will have operational flexibility to better manage these storm flows.

Contact Information: L. Mark Mulkay
Kern Delta Water District
501 Taft Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93307-6247
(661) 834-4656

Exempt Status: Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code: C: 1 ; S: 15301, 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption: California Code of Regulations Section 15301 (class 1): This project is limited to the continued operation of existing structures with negligible or no expansion of use. The project would not involve construction of any new facilities. California Code of Regulations Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption: Here, the storm waters will continue to be diverted into the existing Kern Delta Canals through the existing storm drain inlets and will be diverted into recharge/spreading basins that are located in the close proximity to the areas where the storm water was diverted in the past.