Short-term Transfer of SWP Water to Westside Districts

2026061198

Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/26/2026

6/26/2026

Peter Thompson

Central Coast Water Authority

Executive Director

Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project

255 Industrial Way
Buellton, CA 93427

(805) 688-2292

pkt@ccwa.com

Dudley Ridge Water District, Berrenda Mesa Water District, Lost Hills Water District, Belridge Water Storage District, and Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District

Statutory Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Sections 15000 - 15387 (CEQA Guidelines), 15282(u) (Temporary Water Transfers)

Statutory Exemption Temporary Water Transfers: Section 15282(u) of the CEQA Guidelines identifies as a statutory exemption "[t]emporary changes in the point of diversion, place of use, of purpose of use due to a transfer or exchange of water or water rights as set forth in Section 1729 of the Water Code." This statutory exemption supports the finding of CEQA exemption, as the proposed transaction involves a temporary, short-term (less than one year) transfer of SWP water between existing SWP Contractors within the existing SWP place of use, and any changes to the point of diversion or place of use resulting from the transfer are temporary in nature. (CEQA Guidelines § 15282(u))

Categorical Exemption

CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Public Facilities); and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land)

Class 1 - Existing Public Facilities Categorical Exemption: The proposed transfer involves only the use of existing SWP conveyance and delivery infrastructure to move water that has already been allocated under existing SWP Table A entitlements. All water will be delivered within the existing SWP place of use. No new facilities will be constructed, no existing facilities will be expanded, and there will be no change to the rate, volume, or timing of SWP diversions or operations. The transfer simply redirects water from one SWP Contractor to another through the same facilities that are already in operation for precisely this type of use. The SWP water supply contract, as amended by Amendment No. 21, was specifically designed to facilitate this kind of intra-SWP transfer. (CEQA Guidelines § 15301.) Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land Categorical Exemption: The proposed transfer is a temporary, single-year transaction involving no physical alteration to the land, water, or vegetation. The transferred water will be used in the same manner and within the same service areas as other SWP deliveries. The transaction has no permanent effects on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15304.)

Other

Exceptions to the Categorical Exemptions 15300.2

None of the exceptions to the Categorical Exemptions apply. The proposed transfer involves no physical changes to the environment whatsoever -- it is a contractual reallocation of already permitted SWP water deliveries among existing SWP Contractors, using existing SWP facilities, within the existing SWP place of use. The water is surplus to the Participants' needs for the year in question. The transfer does not involve new or expanded diversions, does not affect sensitive environmental areas, does not occur on a hazardous waste site, does not impact scenic resources or historical resources, and does not create cumulative impacts. Article 57(d) of the SWP Contract independently requires that transfers not create significant adverse impacts, not harm other contractors, and not adversely impact SWP operations. (CEQA Guidelines § 15300.2.)

Other

Common Sense Exemption 15061(b)(3)

The proposed transfer is also determined to be exempt based upon the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (Guidelines§ 15061(b)(3).) A public agency may determine an activity to be exempt where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Here, the proposed transfer is a short-term contractual transfer of surplus SWP water among existing SWP Contractors, using existing SWP facilities, within the existing SWP place of use. The transaction will not authorize or require construction of new facilities, expansion of existing facilities, new or increased SWP diversions, changes to SWP operations, or any physical alteration of land, water, or vegetation. DWR's review under Article 57 further requires confirmation that the transfer will not harm non-participating contractors, will not create significant adverse impacts to participating contractors' service areas, and will not adversely impact SWP operations. As such, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA.