Strand Ranch Construction and Joint Use of Facilities
Summary
SCH Number
2025100740
Public Agency
Kern Water Bank Authority
Document Title
Strand Ranch Construction and Joint Use of Facilities
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/16/2025
Document Description
The project consists of agreements between Kern Water Bank Authority (KWBA), Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and Rosedale Rio-Bravo Water Storage District (Rosedale or RRBWSD) providing for KWBA’s construction and use of a new turnout (Strand Ranch Connection Turnout) and use of an existing turnout on the Cross Valley Canal (South Strand Turnout), on or adjacent to the Strand Ranch property owned by IRWD and/or Cross Valley Canal, to provide for continued conveyance of water to the adjacent and nearby Kern Water Bank properties owned by KWBA, and KWBA’s removal of the existing Strand Siphons from the Cross Valley Canal and adjacent property. Project agreements also provide for IRWD’s and Rosedale’s continued use of the Rosedale’s Return Pipeline from IRWD’s lands known as Stockdale West to the Cross Valley Canal, which pipeline crosses KWBA’s property. The project will benefit the adjacent and nearby lands and water banking facilities owned by KWBA, IRWD and Rosedale, as well as the beneficiaries thereof including their member entities, banking partners, landowners, and water users.
Contact Information
Name
Joe Butkiewicz
Agency Name
Kern Water Bank Authority
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
Sections 2, 3 and 11, Township 30 South, Range 25 East, M.D.M. The project location is also depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines; Sections 15301, 15302, 15303, and 15304.
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA review because the project: (1) allows for continued joint use of water conveyance facilities involving negligible or no expansion in existing or former use pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Class 1); and/or (2) consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures where the new structures (Strand Ranch Construction Turnout) will be located on the same general site as the structures replaced (Strand Siphons) and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity of the structures replaced pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15302 (Class 2); and/or (3) consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, i.e., a turnout, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15303 (Class 3); and/or (4) makes minor alterations to the condition of land, which do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15304 (Class 4). It has also been found and determined based on substantial evidence, that none of the exceptions to the Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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