James Bypass Basins and Recharge Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-FRE-45038-R4)
Summary
SCH Number
2025060987
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
James Bypass Basins and Recharge Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-FRE-45038-R4)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/20/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed Lake
and Streambed Alteration Agreement Notification No. EPIMS-FRE-45038-R4, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code, to the James Irrigation District.
Project activities will include the construction and operation of a new check structure on the eastern auxiliary channel of the James Bypass in support of future groundwater recharge, by pooling water within the auxiliary channel for recharge, and increasing the water elevation to allow for the increased diversion of flood flows from the auxiliary channel into an existing adjacent groundwater recharge basin.
Contact Information
Name
Jackson Powell
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 4
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Kerman
Counties
Fresno, Madera
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
James Bypass
Parcel #
030-12-16st
Township
15S
Range
17E
Section
34
Base
MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Suspended per Executive Order N-7-22 (EO)
Reasons for Exemption
CDFW’s issuance of an Agreement is generally
subject to CEQA (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations; however, CEQA is suspended per Executive Order N-7-22 (EO) for
purposes of CDFW’s issuance of this Agreement. Paragraph 13 of the EO states that
CEQA and its implementing regulations are suspended for the following, to the extent
necessary to address the impacts of drought: (1) specified actions taken by state agencies and specified actions taken by a local agency where the Department of Water Resources concurs that local action is required; and (2) any permits necessary to carry out actions under (1). Actions under (1) are recharge projects under either Flood Managed Aquifer Recharge or the Department of Water Resources Sustainable
Groundwater Management Grant Program occurring on open and working lands to
replenish and store water in groundwater basins that will help mitigate groundwater
conditions impacted by drought. Because the Project to which this Agreement applies
involves construction of facilities for subsequent diversions of flood flows for application to open and working lands to replenish and store water in groundwater basins to help mitigate groundwater conditions impacted by drought, no environmental review for this Agreement pursuant to CEQA is required at this point in time. Consequently, CDFW has not reviewed a certified environmental impact report or adopted mitigated negative declaration evaluating this project, nor has CDFW adopted related findings pursuant to CEQA. Similarly, in applying for this permit, Permittee relied on the CEQA suspension provided by Paragraph 13 of the EO.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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