#22002 Agreement Between the Department of Water Resources of the State of California and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SWPAO #22002)
Summary
SCH Number
2022020153
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
#22002 Agreement Between the Department of Water Resources of the State of California and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SWPAO #22002)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/7/2022
Document Description
This project will make available up to 48,688 acre-feet of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWDSC) Flex Storage water in Lake Perris on the East Branch of the California Aqueduct under Article 54 of MWDSC’s water supply contract with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), for withdrawal by MWDSC from Castaic Lake on the West Branch of the California Aqueduct. The water will be delivered to MWDSC through existing facilities for use in its service area. Further withdrawal of Flex Storage from Lake Perris is not currently possible because the downstream conveyance facilities are being utilized for the reverse flow of non-project water from Diamond Valley Lake to meet MWDSC’s demands for water due to drought (Agreement SWPAO # 21006). In addition, the highest demand for SWP water supply in MWDSC’s service area is near the West Branch of the California Aqueduct, whereas other supplies are currently being used to meet the demands in the vicinity of the East Branch of the California Aqueduct during the drought. MWDSC will restore the water taken under SWPAO #22002 by providing an equivalent amount of replacement water in accordance with Article 54 of MWDSC’s water supply contract.
Contact Information
Name
Patrick Luzuriaga
Agency Name
Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Water Contracts Branch Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego
Regions
Countywide, Southern California
Waterways
California Aqueduct
Other Location Info
From the Delta to Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s turnout(s) located on the California Aqueduct.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
a. The Governor’s October 19, 2021 Proclamation of a State of Emergency declared the statewide drought state of emergency. On November 9, 2021, the MWDSC Board of Directors adopted a resolution declaring a Regional Drought Emergency. The project is needed to deliver water to the areas of need in response to the statewide and regional drought emergencies and to meet MWDSC’s minimum human health and safety demands for water.
b. SWP long-term water supply contracts include provisions for delivery within SWP place of use. Existing facilities will be used and no construction is required to implement the proposed delivery, and there will be no change in land use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, existing facility
Reasons for Exemption
a. The Governor’s October 19, 2021 Proclamation of a State of Emergency declared the statewide drought state of emergency. On November 9, 2021, the MWDSC Board of Directors adopted a resolution declaring a Regional Drought Emergency. The project is needed to deliver water to the areas of need in response to the statewide and regional drought emergencies and to meet MWDSC’s minimum human health and safety demands for water.
b. SWP long-term water supply contracts include provisions for delivery within SWP place of use. Existing facilities will be used and no construction is required to implement the proposed delivery, and there will be no change in land use.
County Clerks
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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