2022 Indio Subbasin Water Management Plan Update – Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Alternative Plan
Summary
SCH Number
2021120221
Public Agency
Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD)
Document Title
2022 Indio Subbasin Water Management Plan Update – Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Alternative Plan
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/10/2021
Document Description
This Indio Subbasin (ISB) 2022 Alternative Plan Update has been prepared to meet specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) as it applies to the ISB. This plan update is also intended to support water management planning for the ISB, designated as Basin No. 7-21.01 by the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR).
The foundation for the 2022 ISB Alternative Plan Update (also known as the ISB Water Management Plan) is the 2010 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan Update (CVWMP). The CVWMP met the requirements to be considered an alternative to a groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) under the SGMA. In 2019, the CDWR approved the CVWMP as the Alternative Plan for the ISB, finding it functionally equivalent to a GSP. The first five-year update to the ISB Alternative Plan is due for submittal to the CDWR by January 1, 2022.
The 2022 ISB Alternative Plan Update incorporates the most current projections for population growth, land use, water demand, water supply outlook, and other future conditions into ISB water management planning to ensure that future water demands can be reliably met and groundwater managed sustainably. In addition, the update integrates specific recommendations from the CDWR regarding management criteria for groundwater levels, storage, and subsidence; water quality mapping; identification of groundwater dependent ecosystems; and other recommendations. The 2022 ISB Alternative Plan Update was prepared collaboratively by the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) in the ISB, who are Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Coachella Water Authority (CWA), Desert Water Agency (DWA), and Indio Water Authority (IWA).
Contact Information
Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Agency Name
William Patterson
Job Title
Environmental Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
Coachella Valley Water District Service area, including portions of Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties, California.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
State CEQA Guidelines §15262, Water code (WAT) §10728.6
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section §15262 - A project involving only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded does not require the preparation of an EIR or negative declaration but does require consideration of environmental factors. This section does not apply to the adoption of a plan that will have a legally binding effect on later activities.
Water Code (WAT) §10728.6 -Conservation, Development, and Utilization of State Water Resources Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code does not apply to the preparation and adoption of plans pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this part shall be interpreted as exempting from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code a project that would implement actions taken pursuant to a plan adopted pursuant to this chapter.
County Clerks
Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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