Cont.: Los Angeles Aqueduct System Snowpack Runoff Emergency
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2017048270
Public Agency
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Document Title
Cont.: Los Angeles Aqueduct System Snowpack Runoff Emergency
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/14/2017
Document Description
The Metropolitan plants to enter into agreements to help manage the city of LA excess water supply using existing water management facilities. With the Southern Sierra snowpack currently at over 200% of normal, this excess supply if unmanaged could cause immediate danger to LA system in Owens Valley. On March 20, 2017, LA Mayor, Eric Garcetti, proclaimed a local emergency for the lands adjacent to the LA Aqueduct in Mono, Inyo, Kern, and LA Counties, and in the city of LA in preparation for the record levels of precipitation and snowpack in the Eastern Sierra. LA has constructed dust control measures that are likely to be damaged should uncontrolled flows occur and inundate dust control improvements in Owens Lake. In addition, this action would protect habitat for the Owens Tui Chub, an endangered species, that live just below the Long Valley Dam by alleviating the possibility of spillway overflow as a result of the high runoff conditions. Under these agreements, Metropolitan would take delivery of the excess water supply and receive the water at a combination of the Jensen Treatment Plant and an existing LA turn-in to the East Branch of the CA Aqueduct. Water delivered at the East Branch of the CA Aqueduct will be conveyed to Metropolitan using existing State Water Project facilities. Water delivered to the Jensen Treatment plant will be treated and delivered in Metropolitan's distribution system. Metropolitan would return water less losses to LA in the future using existing Metropolitan and LA facilities.
Contact Information
Name
Vikki Dee Bradshaw
Agency Name
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Los Angeles
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
Emergency: 21080b4, 15269c
The action of entering into these agreements qualifies under statutory exemption section 21080b4 of section 15269c of guidelines. This includes specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. In addition, this action qualifies under a class 1 exemption b/c the proposed action involves agreements associated with the leasing, licensing, and operating of existing public water conveyance facilities with negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of Metropolitan's determination, and substantial evidence supports Metropolitan's determination that none of the exceptions to the exemption apply under section 15300.2 of the guidelines.
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.