A Notice of Availability (NOA) was prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that MAGSA has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Aquaterra Water Bank Project. The DEIR evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the Aquaterra Water Bank Project and alternatives.
(more…)The Bureau of Reclamation has approved the scope of work for the final step in the Aquaterra Water Bank cultural resources survey. As part of this process, a team of archaeologists and a backhoe operator will excavate a trench at each location, examining soil for buried cultural resources. Each trench will be carefully dug and backfilled upon completion. Excavations began the week of January 27th.
(more…)MAGSA is working with Tetra Tech, MAGSA’s environmental consultant, to develop a groundwater model for the Aquaterra Water Bank. This model, expected to be completed by early 2025, will simulate groundwater movement and allow MAGSA to better manage and communicate how Aquaterra will help replenish regional groundwater levels. Groundwater models like this are tools for predicting future conditions, identifying sensitive areas, and supporting effective groundwater management.
A scoping meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Kerman Senior Center, at 720 S 8th St, Kerman, CA, 93630. The scoping meeting will include a brief presentation describing the Aquaterra Water Bank and a preliminary review of potential environmental effects. The scoping meeting will include time for the public and stakeholders to provide input on the scope and content of the EIR, including any input regarding potential mitigation measures or possible alternatives to the project.
A Notice of Preparation has been prepared to notify agencies and interested parties that the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA) is preparing an Environmental Impact Report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Aquaterra Water Bank Project.
(more…)2023 was a record water year for the Kings Subbasin! Annual Report data reflects the positive impact of the wet year on the basin’s groundwater levels after three consecutive years of drought, while also indicating there is more work to be done in pursuit of long-term sustainability.
With more surface water available, groundwater use decreased by 54% compared to the average use in the previous three water years. Groundwater storage increased by 1.28 million acre-feet, partially thanks to the recharge projects throughout the Kings Subbasin.
(more…)A cultural resources survey at proposed project sites for the Aquaterra Water Bank wrapped up in mid-April. The survey was a necessary step requested by the Bureau of Reclamation to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Compliance with NEPA is key for the project to complete environmental review and continue to progress forward.
The surveyed area was roughly 70 miles long and 200 feet wide, and was conducted by a team of archeologists with MAGSA’s environmental consultant, Tetra Tech. A summary of survey results will be completed by the firm in the following weeks, although the team reported nothing of particular significance was discovered.
The Aquaterra Water Bank project area totals 80,000 acres and includes a vast expansion of canals, basins, and agricultural land to use as on-farm recharge sites. The project is a cornerstone of MAGSA’s strategy to achieve groundwater sustainability through surface water storage and recharge.
Once fully developed, Aquaterra will have the capacity to store 1.8 million acre-feet of water within MAGSA’s boundaries using 208,000 acre-feet of recharge capacity and 770 cubic feet per second of new conveyance.
MAGSA prioritized completing the cultural resources survey in its pursuit of moving forward to develop more water storage infrastructure for potential water bank subscribers, while benefiting landowners with improved local groundwater conditions.