East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Incentivized Fallowing Program Policy
Summary
SCH Number
2025110739
Public Agency
East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
(ETS GSA)
Document Title
East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Incentivized Fallowing Program Policy
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/19/2025
Document Description
This project is to adopt and implement the East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (ETS GSA) Incentivized Fallowing Program Policy (IFP Policy) within the ETS GSA's jurisdiction. The IFP Policy is a key component of implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Action within the ETS GSA's jurisdiction, including implementation of the ETS GSA Groundwater Demand Reduction Plan, which is included in the Revised Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Revised Turlock GSP) as Appendix K. The IFP Policy, attached as Exhibit B, outlines ETS GSA's rules and regulations for this voluntary land fallowing program, including landowner eligibility, program requirements, and implementation procedures.
The purpose of the IFP is to provide a means to efficiently and rapidly transition land from irrigated to non-irrigated status to make up for any necessary demand reduction that is not achieved through implementation of other Projects and Management Actions (PMAs). Among other things, the IFP Policy will require participants to fallow irrigated land for a three-year period, maintain vegetated cover and prevent nuisance conditions (among other requirements). Reducing groundwater demand will assist ETSGSA in meeting the sustainability goals set out in the Revised Turlock GSP, which benefits all landowners within ETS GSA.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Tietze
Agency Name
East Turlock Subbasin GSA
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Merced, Stanislaus
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
multiple
Zip
several
Parcel #
multiple
State Highways
State Highway 59
Railways
Sante Fe
Airports
Turlock Municipal
Schools
Denair and Ballico School Districts
Waterways
Merced River, Turlock Lake
Other Location Info
unincorporated farmland.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7, Code 14, Sec. 15307; Class 8 Code 14, Sec/ 15308;
Reasons for Exemption
The adoption of the IPF Policy is an action taken by ETS GSA as authorized by SGMA for the protection of natural resources and the environment, which is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15307 and 15308.
As the IFP Policy itself does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment by themselves, the common sense exemption applies pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3). Separate and underlying projects and management actions will undergo CEQA analysis as required.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Common Sense, Code 14, Sec. 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The adoption of the IFP Policy is an action taken by ETSGSA as authorized by SGMA for the protection of natural resources and the environment, which is categorically exempt pursuant CEQA Guidelines sections 15307 and 15308. As the IFP Policy itself does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment by themselves, the common sense exemption applies pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3). Separate and underlying projects and management actions will undergo CEQA analysis as required.
County Clerks
Merced, Stanislaus
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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