CVPIA Refuge Water Supply Contracts - CDFW
Summary
SCH Number
2025120183
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
CVPIA Refuge Water Supply Contracts - CDFW
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/4/2025
Document Description
This project is for the renewal of two Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Refuge Water Supply Contracts that will deliver CVPIA refuge water supplies to California Department of Fish and Wildlife wildlife areas at Gray Lodge WA; North Grasslands WA, China Island Unit and Salt Slough Units; Los Banos WA, Volta WA, and Mendota WA. The Contracts extend for an additional 25-year period of refuge water deliveries through existing facilities as required by federal statute for the mitigation of environmental impacts by the Central Valley Project. These water supplies are used to provide wetland habitat to support wetland-dependent wildlife species.
Contact Information
Name
Jeffrey Shu
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Wetland Water Resources Program Coordinator
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Butte, Fresno, Merced, Sutter
Regions
Statewide
Other Location Info
Contract refuge water supplies to Gray Lodge WA; North Grasslands WA, China Island Unit and Salt Slough Units; Los Banos WA, Volta WA, and Mendota WA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, sections 15301, 15307, and 15308, Class 1, 7, and 8
Reasons for Exemption
Categorical Exemptions for Existing Facilities
Title 14, Section 15301, Existing Facilities (Class 1) exemption consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. An example includes the maintenance of fish screens, fish ladders, wildlife habitat areas, artificial wildlife waterway devices, streamflows, springs and waterholes, and stream channels (clearing of debris) to protect fish and wildlife resources.
The CEQA Guidelines emphasize that the key consideration for Class 1 exemptions is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. CDFW’s contract renewals would allow for the continued water delivery under an existing system and use of the existing distribution network to the wildlife areas for the benefit and maintenance of wildlife habitat and resources. There will be no expansion of the area covered, no additional use of existing facilities, and no changes in the amount of water delivered from prior approved contracts.
Categorical Exemptions to Protect Natural Resources and the Environment
CDFW concluded for the purposes of CEQA that its action falls within Title 14, Section 15307, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources (Class 7) and Title 14, Section 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment (Class 8) categorical exemptions.
Class 7 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies that are authorized by state law or local ordinances to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Examples include, but are not limited to, wildlife preservation activities of the State Department of Fish and Game. Class 8 actions include those taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment.
The contract renewals ensure the continued water deliveries for the protection of the natural resources and environment of wildlife areas. Specifically, the contract renewals ensure the continued deliveries of firm water supplies for the restoration of wetland areas located in the Central Valley and to restore and enhance the state’s wildlife resources. By renewing the contracts, CDFW is ensuring that the wildlife areas continue to receive water supplies in a manner necessary to maintain, enhance, and restore wetland areas in the Central Valley.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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