SWP Water Banking and Exchange between Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and Kern County Water Agency.
Summary
SCH Number
2026090777
Public Agency
Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District
Document Title
SWP Water Banking and Exchange between Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and Kern County Water Agency.
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/17/2026
Document Description
Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District (TLBWSD) is requesting approval to transfer up to 10,000 acre-feet of its 2027 State Water Project Water to the Kern County Water Agency for banking at a ratio of 2:1 in Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District on behalf of County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles County (L.A. San). Deliveries will be completed by December 31, 2027. This proposed exchange is designed to enable L.A. San to better manage its respective water supplies. No lands will be fallowed as a result of the exchange and no additional groundwater will be pumped.
Contact Information
Name
Cameron Batth
Agency Name
Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District
Job Title
Water Resources Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Bakersfield
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Northern California
Zip
93314
Other Location Info
Kern County Water Agency Service Area
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guideline Section 15301(b) provides that a lead agency may determine an activity to be exempt from CEQA in that it utilizes only existing facilities. This transfer exclusively utilizes existing facilities. Additionally, CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)3 provides that a Lead Agency may determine an activity to be exempt based on a general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. 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. TLBWSD finds that approval of the proposed water transfer has no possibility of significant effect on the environment for the following reasons:
1. The proposed action consists of a one-time water transfer that will use existing facilities and would not require any construction or grading.
2. The proposed action does not constitute a new permanent source of water supply and will not result in any growth inducing or cumulative environmental impacts.
3. There will be no change in land use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guideline Section 15301(b) provides that a lead agency may determine an activity to be exempt from CEQA in that it utilizes only existing facilities. This transfer exclusively utilizes existing facilities. Additionally, CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)3 provides that a Lead Agency may determine an activity to be exempt based on a general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. 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. TLBWSD finds that approval of the proposed water transfer has no possibility of significant effect on the environment for the following reasons:
1. The proposed action consists of a one-time water transfer that will use existing facilities and would not require any construction or grading.
2. The proposed action does not constitute a new permanent source of water supply and will not result in any growth inducing or cumulative environmental impacts.
3. There will be no change in land use.
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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