Policy and Procedures for Groundwater Extraction Allocation (Tulare Lake Subbasin - Tulare Lake Management Area)
Summary
SCH Number
2025050205
Public Agency
Tri-County Water Authority
Document Title
Policy and Procedures for Groundwater Extraction Allocation (Tulare Lake Subbasin - Tulare Lake Management Area)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2025
Document Description
The Project is the adoption of a policy and procedures for groundwater extraction allocation for the Tulare Lake Subbasin - Tulare Lake Management Area. The Project's provisions are management actions for sustainable management of the Tulare Lake Sub basin and do not determine or alter water rights under common law or any provision of law. The primary goal of the Project is to achieve sustainability of the limited natural groundwater resource of the Tulare Lake Subbasin in order to allow sustainable, reasonable and beneficial uses of this resource for agriculture and other uses. The Project promotes continued agricultural operations through its regulations in order to sustainability manage the finite natural groundwater resources in attempts to assure the availability of this resource in the long-term.
Contact Information
Name
Staci Wilkins
Agency Name
Tri-County Water Authority
Job Title
Board Secretary
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project / Responsible Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kings, Tulare
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
All parcels located within the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) boundary
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7, Guidelines section 15307 and Class 8, Guidelines section 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The Tri-County Water Authority (TCWA) reviewed the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.). CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 categorical exemption (Class 7 - Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources) applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by state law or local ordinance to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 categorical exemption (Class 8 - Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) provides that where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is exempt from CEQA. TCW A reviewed the Project and determined that it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), 15307 and 15308. TWCA's Board of Directors exercised its flexible management authority to ensure that all undesirable results of the Tulare Lake Subbasin, including subsidence, overdraft and lowering of groundwater levels are mitigated within the sustainability timeframe set forth in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Code§ 10720 et seq.). TCW A reviewed the Project and determined that none of the exceptions to categorical exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 were applicable.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Common Sense Exemption, Guidelines section 15061 (b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The Project promotes continued agricultural operations through its regulations in order to sustainability manage the finite natural groundwater resources in attempts to assure the availability of this resource in the long-term.
County Clerks
Kings, Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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