Settlement Agreement between Metropolitan Water District and Imperial Irrigation District regarding Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan

Summary

SCH Number
2021090483
Public Agency
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Document Title
Settlement Agreement between Metropolitan Water District and Imperial Irrigation District regarding Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/24/2021
Document Description
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) have settled two lawsuits filed by IID against MWD related to the Colorado River Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). As part of the settlement, MWD will temporarily store for IID a portion of 87,594 acre-feet (less storage losses) of Colorado River water that MWD diverted in 2018, which may be returned to IID under certain circumstances through 2026. Additionally, during 2021 through 2026, IID may store up to 50,000 acre-feet (at no more than 25,000 acre-feet per year) of conserved Colorado River water in MWD’s Lake Mead Intentionally Created Surplus account. If MWD is required to make DCP contributions, IID will assist MWD by contributing the lesser of either three percent of California’s DCP contribution or the amount of water IID has stored with MWD.

Contact Information

Name
Sean Carlson
Agency Name
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Counties
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Throughout Metropolitan's Distribution and Service Area as indicated on attached map

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
The actions of authorizing and entering into an agreement to settle litigation related to the implementation of the DCP and related agreements with Imperial Irrigation District are exempt under the provisions of CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. The actions outlined in the settlement terms would involve continued operation and implementation of existing facilities, programs and activities involving negligible or no expansion beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination, and therefore these actions qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301).
County Clerks
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura

Attachments

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