B. Description of Proposed Boundary Modification

1. Short Description

   Adjust boundary to conform to CWD sphere of influence boundary, CWD boundary and county boundary.
2. Type of basin boundary revision

   • Jurisdiction Internal
3. Provide a narrative overview of the boundary modification request and how the resulting modification would affect likelihood of sustainable management.

   The boundary modification would change the boundary to conform with existing boundaries of the Chowchilla Water District, the sphere of influence of the Chowchilla Water District and the Madera/Merced county boundary. The boundary adjustment will reduce jurisdictional overlap of local agencies and counties and allow for the improvement of sustainable management of the sub-basin.

   Attachment(s):
4. List the existing basin(s)/subbasin(s) to be modified by this request

   • 5-022.05 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - CHOWCHILLA
5. Provide the proposed name for the new basin(s) or subbasin(s)

C. Initial Notification and Combination of Requests

1. Was an initial notification submitted to the Department?

   Yes
   List of submitted initial notification for the selected basin(s)/subbasin(s).

   Local Agency	Potential Basin(s)/Subbasin(s)
   Chowchilla Water District	5-022.05 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - CHOWCHILLA
   New Stone Water District	5-022.06 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - MADERA , 5-022.05 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - CHOWCHILLA
   	5-022.07 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - DELTA-MENDOTA , 5-022.05 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - CHOWCHILLA
   Madera County	5-022.05 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - CHOWCHILLA

2. Does this application include a combination of requests?

   No

D. Required Documents for All Modifications

1. A copy of the statutory or other legal authority under which the requesting agency was created with specific citations to the provisions setting forth the duties and responsibilities of the agency.

Attachment(s):

• Chowchilla Water District was formed in 1949 under Division 13 of the California Water Code.pdf (34.6kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 11:01AM
• CWD Formation Madera County Resolution.pdf (795.5kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 02:57PM

2. A copy of the signed resolution adopted by the requesting agency formally initiating the boundary modification request process.

Attachment(s):

• CWD Resolution 2016-02.pdf (768.6kB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 11:02AM

3. A map of adequate scale (no greater than 1:24,000; e.g., 1:10,000 is not acceptable) showing the proposed modified basin boundary in relation to the existing Bulletin-118 basin boundary and the local agencies that are within or bordering the existing and proposed basin.

Attachment(s):

• GSA_related_subbasin_ZOOM_IN-option1.pdf (1.6MB) Uploaded on 03/28/2016 at 12:32PM

4. A GIS shapefile of the proposed modified groundwater basin boundaries. Download Existing B118 basin shape file | DWR Spatial Data Standards

Attachment(s):

• proposed_chowchilla_option1.zip (6.9kB) Uploaded on 03/25/2016 at 03:17PM

5. A GIS shapefile of the political boundaries of any affected or adjacent local agency. Download water agency shape file

Attachment(s):

• water_agencies.shp.zip (168.5kB) Uploaded on 03/25/2016 at 03:03PM

6. Any information, if necessary, to enable DWR to satisfy the requirements of a responsible agency pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

see attached Resolution 2016-05

Attachment(s):

• CEQA Resolution.pdf (46.5kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 06:31AM

E. General Information

1. Describe the lateral boundaries of the alluvial aquifer or aquifers that form the groundwater basin and the definable bottom of the basin. The description must be in terms that are clear, definite, and sufficiently detailed to allow an authoritative map of the proposed basin boundaries to be plotted using the given description.

A description of the modified basin boundary is attached, using section township range and other geographic landmarks, as requested. The primary objective of the modification is to include lands within the Chowchilla Water Disrtrict sphere of influence in the Chowchilla subbasin. No other changes to the most recent description of the Chowchilla subbasin (Bulletin 118, 2004 update, attached) are proposed.

Attachment(s):

• Bulletin 118 Subbasin Description.pdf (32.1kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 04:00PM
• Modified Chowchilla Subbasin Description 2016 03 29.pdf (35.5kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 08:55AM

F. Notice and Consultation

1. List all local agencies and public water systems affected by the basin(s) modification request.

Chowchilla Water District, City of Chowchilla, Merced County, Merced Irrigation District, Madera County, Madera Irrigation District,

2. Explain the methods used to identify interested local agencies and public water systems in the affected basin(s):

CWD participates in the following local government agencies, groups and planning efforts: Madera County RWMG, Madera County IRWMP, Chowchilla-Madera CASGEM Groundwater Monitoring Group, Madera Regional Groundwater Management Plan, Merced Area Groundwater Pool Interests, Merced RWMG, Merced IRWMP, Merced CASGEM. Participation/collaboration in all of these forums provided CWD with a list of agencies and contacts in order to identify interested agencies and public water systems in the affected area.

3. Provide information regarding the nature of consultations with affected or interested agencies. Attach and cite any copies of correspondences with local agencies and public water systems and/or any other persons or entities consulted.

Multiple meetings, teleconferences and email communication with affected and interested parties. Chronology of meetings attached along with letters of notification to those parties.

Attachment(s):

• letter requesting support - City of Chowchilla.pdf (68.7kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:38PM
• letter requesting support - Legrand.pdf (68.5kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:38PM
• letter requesting support - Madera County.pdf (68.6kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:39PM
• letter requesting support - Madera ID.pdf (68.7kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:39PM
• letter requesting support - Merced County.pdf (68.6kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:39PM
• letter requesting support - Merced ID.pdf (68.3kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:39PM
• Chowchilla Subbasin Meeting Chronology.pdf (44.4kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:00AM

4. Provide a summary of all public meetings at which the proposed boundary modification was discussed or considered by the requesting agency. Attach and cite any copies of agendas and notices published.

The Chowchilla Water District held multiple meeting where the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was discussed. Included in those discussion were formation of GSA, preparation of GSP and boundary modification. Attached are the agendas and notices for those meetings that were published. The Chowchilla Water District is a member of the Madera Groundwater Joint Powers Authority (Authority). Attached are the agendas of the Authority where the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was discussed. Included in those discussion were formation of GSA, preparation of GSP and boundary modification.

Attachment(s):

• CWD Agendas.pdf (1.3MB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 11:46AM
• Madera Groundwater JPA Agendas.pdf (179.1kB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 11:57AM

5. Attach a copy of all comments regarding the proposed boundary modification received by the requesting agency and a summary of any responses made by the requesting agency.

Attached are letters of support for the boundary modification.

Attachment(s):

• City of Chowchilla Support Letter.pdf (86.1kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:38AM
• Madera County Boundary Modification Support Letter.pdf (283.9kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:39AM
• Merced County Letter of Support.pdf (848.1kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:39AM

G. General Existing Groundwater Management

1. Explain how sustainable groundwater management exists or could likely be achieved in the basin:

The Chowchilla Groundwater Subbasin was identified as overdrafted in the Madera Regional Water Management Plan (Plan). The plan identified a number of actions that could be taken to reduce the overdraft in the Chowchilla Subbasin. These included increase surface water supply, retire agricultural lands, reduce groundwater pumping by regulating the amount of groundwater pumping per acre on agricultural lands, construct new surface water storage facilities, construct new groundwater recharge facilities, encourage winter flooding of agricultural land with flood water.

2. Explain how the proposed boundary modification would affect the ability of adjacent groundwater basins to sustainably manage groundwater in those groundwater basins.

The boundary modification would change the boundary to conform with existing boundaries of the Chowchilla Water District, the sphere of influence of the Chowchilla Water District and the Madera/Merced county boundary. The boundary adjustment will reduce jurisdictional overlap of local agencies and counties and allow for the improvement of sustainable management of the sub-basin.

3. Provide a historical summary of the sustainable management of groundwater levels in the proposed basin(s) or subbasin(s).

In 1949 the Chowchilla Water District (CWD) was formed in order to obtain a surface water supply contract from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in order to reduce groundwater pumping. CWD has imported millions of acre-feet of water into the district in order to reduce groundwater pumping. The Chowchilla Water District, City of Chowchilla and Chowchilla-Red Top Conservation District formed a joint powers authority to prepare an AB3030 Groundwater Management Plan in 1997. CWD participated with other local agencies in the area to prepare the Madera Region Groundwater Management Plan in 2014. CWD prepares annual and five year update Water Management Plans for the Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources.

4. Discuss potential impacts to state programs resulting from the proposed boundary modification, including, but not limited to, the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM), Groundwater Management Plans developed pursuant to AB 3030, Groundwater Sustainability Plans developed pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, any applicable state or regional board plans, and other water management and land use programs.

The proposed jurisdictional boundary modification will not adversely impact CWD's efforts and participation in CASGEM, Groundwater Management Plans, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, etc. The proposed jurisdictional boundary modification will reduce overlap of jurisdictions and improve the efficiency of local agencies collaborative efforts.

H. Local Support

1. Provide any evidence that sufficient information was provided to affected agencies and systems regarding the proposed boundary modification.

Multiple meetings, teleconferences and email communication with affected and interested parties. Chronology of meetings attached along with letters of notification to those parties.

Attachment(s):

• letter requesting support - City of Chowchilla.pdf (68.7kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• letter requesting support - Legrand.pdf (68.5kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• letter requesting support - Madera County.pdf (68.6kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• letter requesting support - Madera ID.pdf (68.7kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• letter requesting support - Merced County.pdf (68.6kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• letter requesting support - Merced ID.pdf (68.3kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:09AM
• Chowchilla Subbasin Meeting Chronology.pdf (44.4kB) Uploaded on 03/29/2016 at 09:10AM

2. Provide a list of all affected agencies and affected systems that submitted comments and/or documents in support or opposition to the proposed boundary. The agency submitting their support or opposition for a boundary modification must provide a copy of a resolution formally adopted by the decision-making body of the affected agency or system or a letter signed by an executive officer or other official with appropriate delegated authority who represents the agency or system. Attach copies of the resolution and/or signed letter detailing the support or opposition submitted.

Letters of support were submitted by Merced County, Madera County and the City of Chowchilla

Attachment(s):

• Merced County Letter of Support.pdf (848.1kB) Uploaded on 03/25/2016 at 03:49PM
• Madera County Boundary Modification Support Letter.pdf (283.9kB) Uploaded on 03/25/2016 at 03:46PM
• City of Chowchilla Support Letter.pdf (86.1kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 03:02PM

3. Provide any evidence that rebuts any opposition to the proposed boundary modification.

no opposition received

I. Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model

1. Principal aquifer units within requested basin.
2. Lateral boundaries of the proposed basin, including:
   1. Geologic features that significantly impede or impact groundwater flow.
   2. Aquifer characteristics that significantly impede or impact groundwater flow.
   3. Significant geologic and hydrologic features and conditions of the principle aquifer units, as appropriate, including information regarding the confined or unconfined nature of the aquifer, facies changes, truncation of units, the presence of faults or folds that impede groundwater flow, or other groundwater flow restricting features.
   4. Key surface water bodies, groundwater divides and significant recharge sources.
3. Recharge and discharge areas within the basin.
4. Definable bottom of the basin or subbasin.

The department may waive this requirement for an internal boundary modification if the requesting agency is able to demonstrate that the proposed boundary modification is unlikely to affect sustainable groundwater management.

CWD requests waiver of this requirement. The requested modification is an internal boundary modification intended to address potential jurisdictional overlap. Local agencies in the Chowchilla subbasin are actively involved in sustainable groundwater management activities both within the subbasin and with the adjoining Madera and Merced subbasins. The proposed boundary modification will not negatively affect these efforts.

L. Technical Studies for All Jurisdictional Modifications

1. A water management plan that covers or is in the immediate vicinity of the proposed basin or portion of the proposed basin and satisfies the requirement of Water Code sections 10753.7(a) or 10727 by attaching one of the following:
   1. An adopted groundwater management plan, a basin wide management plan, or other integrated regional water management program or plan.
   2. Management pursuant to an adjudication action.
   3. One or more technical studies that cover the relevant portion of a basin or subbasin and adjacent areas.

URL: http://magpi-gw.org/index.cfm/groundwater-management-plan/

Attachment(s):

• Madera Integrated Regional Water - Final.2014.02.28.pdf (11.1MB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 02:45PM
• Appendices - Final Madera IRWMP.2014.02.28.PDF (35.7MB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 02:46PM
• Madera Regional GMP.Appendicies Final.2014.12.09.pdf (21.3MB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 01:17PM
• Madera Regional GMP-Final.2014.12.09.pdf (5.7MB) Uploaded on 03/19/2016 at 01:17PM

2. A statement of the existing and planned coordination of sustainable groundwater management activities and responsibilities where required.

Local agencies in Madera and Merced Counties participate in the Merced and Madera Integrated Regional Water Management Plans and the Merced and Madera Regional Water Management Groups. These agencies also coordinate CASGEM data collection and reporting. Certain local agencies within the Chowchilla Subbasin, including the Chowchilla Water District, participate in the Madera County Groundwater Management Joint Powers Authority and the Merced Area Groundwater Pool Interests (MAGPI). Chowchilla Water District works closely with Madera and Merced counties, Merced Irrigation District and Madera Irrigation District in the regional management of water resources. Local Agencies (City of Chowchilla, Chowchilla Water District and Madera County) have formed the Chowchilla Sub-basin SGMA Committee to develop and consider the various options for GSA formation, GSP preparation, governance, cost allocation, etc.