Memorandum of Understanding relating to Reclamation District 108’s acquisition, management and operation of Fair Ranch

2026051060

Yolo County

NOE - Notice of Exemption

5/27/2026

5/27/2026

Jordon Navarrot

Reclamation District 108

Deputy Manager

Project Applicant

975 Wilson Bend Road
Grimes, CA 95950

(530) 437-2221

jnavarrot@rd108.org

Jeff Anderson

County of Yolo

Principal Planner

Lead/Public Agency

292 W Beamer Street
Woodland, CA 95695

(530) 666-8043

Jeff.Anderson@yolocounty.gov

38°51'55.4"N 121°45'13.9"W

State Route 45 and County Road 109A

95645

7500

See Other location Info

State Route 45

N/A

N/A

Science & Technology Academy at KL, Robbins Elementary

Sacramento River, Sycamore Slough, Colusa Basin Drainage Canal

12N

2E

N/A

MDBM

Accessor Parcel Numbers: 056-030-001-000, 056-090-008- 000, 056-030-002-000, 056-100-001-000, 056-040-001-000, 056-100-002-000, 056- 040-002-000, 056-100-003-000, 056-040-003-000, 056-100-004-000, 056-050-002-000, 056-100-005-000, 056-050-003-000, 056-110-001-000, 056-050-004-000, 056-110- 003-000, 056-050-005-000, 056-110-004-000, 056-060-002-000, 056-140-001-000, 056-060-003-000, 056-150-001-000, 056-060-004-000, 056-150-002-000, 056-070-005- 000, 056-150-021-000, 056-080-003-000, 056-150-022-000,056-080-006-000, 056-150- 005-000, 056-090-001-000, 056-150-006-000, 056-090-003-000, 056-150-007-000, and 056-090-004-000

Categorical Exemption

Section 15325(c), Section 15301

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) proposes to enter into various agreements with the current Property owner to acquire the use of certain water rights associated with the Property for instream beneficial uses. On February 10, 2026, DWR filed a Notice of Exemption related to those agreements. The County and YSGA filed litigation challenging the sufficiency of said Notice of Exemption, among other things. Subsequently it was proposed that RD 108 acquire the Property from the current Owner after DWR enters into those agreements. Under a purchase agreement and related closing documents, the subject of a separate Notice of Exemption filed by RD 108, RD 108 will acquire title to the Property, including its associated water rights, subject to then existing encumbrances and easements. The property is presently utilized primarily for agricultural purposes. To assist with resolution of the litigation brought by the County and YSGA, the parties would enter into the MOU to provide additional assurances to the County and YSGA that RD 108 will operate the Property in such a way to avoid impacts to local water supplies, groundwater resources, habitat and the economy. Facilitated by entering into the MOU, RD 108's acquisition of the Property is expected to allow the Property to continue agricultural uses, prevent the encroachment of development into floodplains, and preserve open space, and additionally may allow for restoration of some of the lands to natural conditions. Public agency transactions and related funding allocations for these purposes are statutorily exempt from CEQA. Importantly, any future change in use of the Property (including habitat restoration) and its associated water rights is contingent and uncertain as to type, location, timing, scale, and operational characteristics, and subject to subsequent planning and policy decisions. Because these fundamental project elements are unknown or subject to future determination, any environmental analysis at this time would be unduly speculative. CEQA compliance is required prior to any changes in land uses or approval of water transfers. Entering into the MOU in conjunction with RD 108's acquisition of the Property involves no expansion of existing uses and will not have any significant impacts on the environment. The Project does not contribute to cumulative environmental impacts because it maintains existing conditions and does not increase the intensity of use; there are no unusual circumstances associated with the Project or its location that will result in a significant impact; the Project will not result in damage to scenic resources within a state scenic highway as none are located in the Property and the Project maintains existing conditions; the Project is not located on a hazardous waste site; and the Project will not have a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource or otherwise impact biological, cultural or other sensitive resources.

Statutory Exemption

Public Resources Code section 21080.28(a)

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) proposes to enter into various agreements with the current Property owner to acquire the use of certain water rights associated with the Property for instream beneficial uses. On February 10, 2026, DWR filed a Notice of Exemption related to those agreements. The County and YSGA filed litigation challenging the sufficiency of said Notice of Exemption, among other things. Subsequently it was proposed that RD 108 acquire the Property from the current Owner after DWR enters into those agreements. Under a purchase agreement and related closing documents, the subject of a separate Notice of Exemption filed by RD 108, RD 108 will acquire title to the Property, including its associated water rights, subject to then existing encumbrances and easements. The property is presently utilized primarily for agricultural purposes. To assist with resolution of the litigation brought by the County and YSGA, the parties would enter into the MOU to provide additional assurances to the County and YSGA that RD 108 will operate the Property in such a way to avoid impacts to local water supplies, groundwater resources, habitat and the economy. Facilitated by entering into the MOU, RD 108's acquisition of the Property is expected to allow the Property to continue agricultural uses, prevent the encroachment of development into floodplains, and preserve open space, and additionally may allow for restoration of some of the lands to natural conditions. Public agency transactions and related funding allocations for these purposes are statutorily exempt from CEQA. Importantly, any future change in use of the Property (including habitat restoration) and its associated water rights is contingent and uncertain as to type, location, timing, scale, and operational characteristics, and subject to subsequent planning and policy decisions. Because these fundamental project elements are unknown or subject to future determination, any environmental analysis at this time would be unduly speculative. CEQA compliance is required prior to any changes in land uses or approval of water transfers. Entering into the MOU in conjunction with RD 108's acquisition of the Property involves no expansion of existing uses and will not have any significant impacts on the environment. The Project does not contribute to cumulative environmental impacts because it maintains existing conditions and does not increase the intensity of use; there are no unusual circumstances associated with the Project or its location that will result in a significant impact; the Project will not result in damage to scenic resources within a state scenic highway as none are located in the Property and the Project maintains existing conditions; the Project is not located on a hazardous waste site; and the Project will not have a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource or otherwise impact biological, cultural or other sensitive resources.

Other

CEQA 15061(b)(3)

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) proposes to enter into various agreements with the current Property owner to acquire the use of certain water rights associated with the Property for instream beneficial uses. On February 10, 2026, DWR filed a Notice of Exemption related to those agreements. The County and YSGA filed litigation challenging the sufficiency of said Notice of Exemption, among other things. Subsequently it was proposed that RD 108 acquire the Property from the current Owner after DWR enters into those agreements. Under a purchase agreement and related closing documents, the subject of a separate Notice of Exemption filed by RD 108, RD 108 will acquire title to the Property, including its associated water rights, subject to then existing encumbrances and easements. The property is presently utilized primarily for agricultural purposes. To assist with resolution of the litigation brought by the County and YSGA, the parties would enter into the MOU to provide additional assurances to the County and YSGA that RD 108 will operate the Property in such a way to avoid impacts to local water supplies, groundwater resources, habitat and the economy. Facilitated by entering into the MOU, RD 108's acquisition of the Property is expected to allow the Property to continue agricultural uses, prevent the encroachment of development into floodplains, and preserve open space, and additionally may allow for restoration of some of the lands to natural conditions. Public agency transactions and related funding allocations for these purposes are statutorily exempt from CEQA. Importantly, any future change in use of the Property (including habitat restoration) and its associated water rights is contingent and uncertain as to type, location, timing, scale, and operational characteristics, and subject to subsequent planning and policy decisions. Because these fundamental project elements are unknown or subject to future determination, any environmental analysis at this time would be unduly speculative. CEQA compliance is required prior to any changes in land uses or approval of water transfers. Entering into the MOU in conjunction with RD 108's acquisition of the Property involves no expansion of existing uses and will not have any significant impacts on the environment. The Project does not contribute to cumulative environmental impacts because it maintains existing conditions and does not increase the intensity of use; there are no unusual circumstances associated with the Project or its location that will result in a significant impact; the Project will not result in damage to scenic resources within a state scenic highway as none are located in the Property and the Project maintains existing conditions; the Project is not located on a hazardous waste site; and the Project will not have a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource or otherwise impact biological, cultural or other sensitive resources.