Operational Water Exchange with South Fork Kern River Water
4 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2018021061
Public Agency
Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Document Title
Operational Water Exchange with South Fork Kern River Water
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/10/2025
Document Description
The proposed activity involves the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District ("District") delivering up to 4,500 acre-feet of its South Fork Kern River water, as described in its certified Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2018021061 ), to a public agency that has existing contractual rights to store water in Isabella Reservoir (i.e ., North Kern Water Storage District, Kern Delta Water District, City of Bakersfield, or Kern County Water Agency) in exchange for a like amount of water in the Kern County Subbasin. To optimize the timing and delivery of the exchanged water, the receiving entity may temporarily store up to 4,500 acre-feet in its existing storage capacity in Isabella Reservoir for later delivery to its service area using existing facilities. The proposed activity will be accommodated using existing facilities; no expansion or physical modifications to any facilities will be required. Any water exchanged under the proposed activity would be stored within the contractual limits of the entity participating in the exchange. The delivery from the District to a participating entity will be complete on or before December 31, 2025. The primary purposes of the activity are to effectuate operational flexibility, generate energy efficiencies, and to increase water supplies available to landowners within the District's boundaries. The beneficiaries of the proposed activity are the landowners and the water users within the District and a participating agency's boundaries.
Contact Information
Name
Rachelle Echeverria
Agency Name
Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Job Title
Resources Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
From the South Fork of the Kern River near Onyx, Ca, to the San Joaquin valley floor, including Isabella Reservoir, Kern River channel downstream of Isabella Dam, and existing conveyance and recharge facilities on the San Joaquin Valley floor near Bakersfield, Ca.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
Existing Facilities (§15301): The proposed activity involves the exchange of water supplies to support operational flexibility and energy efficiency among public agencies. It relies entirely on the continued use of existing infrastructure, including Isabella Reservoir, the Kern River channel, and existing conveyance canals and recharge facilities located on the San Joaquin Valley floor overlying the Kern Subbasin. There will be no expansion or physical modification of any facilities resulting from the exchange. Temporary storage of up to 4,500 acre-feet is well within the historical operational range of the reservoir. Operational exchanges of this nature are routinely conducted in the Kern County Subbasin as part of established water management practices.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
General Rule or Common-Sense Exemption (15061 (b)(3))
Reasons for Exemption
Common Sense (§15061(b)(3)): The proposed activity involves only minor operational modifications and administrative matters (i.e., recordkeeping) that do not include any construction, land disturbance, or changes in land use. As such, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed activity will not result in a significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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