McMullin On-Farm Flood Capture Expansion Project
The McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MAGSA) has been awarded a $10 million grant by the State Water Resources Control Board through the Prop 1 Stormwater Grant Program to expand the existing McMullin On-Farm Recharge Project located near Helm in Fresno County. The Project is identified in MAGSA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan and is a key element in a vision developed by MAGSA to achieve groundwater sustainability under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act through innovative approaches in groundwater banking and crediting.
Project Overview
The infrastructure development resulting from this project will:
Read more about the McMullin On-Farm Flood Capture Expansion project
Project Map (updated 11/7/2022):
Project Brief:
View full Project Brief here.
Environmental Analysis
MAGSA, through its contractor Tetra Tech, is preparing the required environmental analysis and documentation for the On-Farm Flood Capture Expansion Project while providing several opportunities for the public to be involved in the environmental review and construction of these projects.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA):
The Expansion Project was approved on July 8, 2022 pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program (MMRP), and Notice of Determination can be found below.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):
A draft National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document is expected to be available for public review and comment this year.
Public Scoping Meeting
The McMullin On-Farm Flood Capture Expansion project was described in more detail at a public scoping meeting on June 30 at 6 pm on Zoom.
Members of the public were given the opportunity to comment on the proposed project at the event. Members of the public were also encouraged to provide comments through email, mail, or hand deliveries to the MAGSA office through July 30, 2021.
Learn more about the McMullin On-Farm Flood Capture Expansion project by watching the public scoping meeting webinar recording or viewing the presentation slides below.
The McMullin Expansion Project represent a large-scale project for improved and more integrated groundwater and surface waters.
On-Farm Recharge Webinar: Pecans & Other Nuts
MAGSA hosted an educational webinar on July 22 to share how integrating on-farm recharge practices into farm operations can be a practical and cost-effective way to increase water supply for pecans and other nuts.
This webinar included a presentation by Sandra Bachand, Bachand & Associates on her recent on-farm recharge study on pecans. UC Davis Associate Professor Helen Dahlke also presented on issues related to on-farm recharge on almonds.
A grower panel that included Don Cameron, Terranova Ranch, Mark McKean, McKean Farms, and Ben King, Pacific Gold Agriculture shared their experiences with practicing on-farm recharge on their fields. The panel was moderated by Mohammad Yaghmour, Area Orchard Systems Advisor for Cooperative Extension Kern County.