B. Description of Proposed Boundary Modification

1. Short Description

   Modify the subbasin boundary to correct small segments that divide various local jurisdictions.
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.

   Kings River Conservation District proposes to modify the Tulare Lake Subbasin as follows: A) Follow the western boundary of Dudley Ridge Water District where is crosses to the west of the California Aqueduct, detaching those lands from the Pleasant Valley Subbasin to the Tulare Lake Subbasin, and B) Follow the boundaries of Kings County APNs 048-210-044, 048-250-023, 048-250-032, 048-250-037 and 048-350-037 (one landowner with contiguous lands in the Tulare Lake Subbasin) as they extend west of the California Aqueduct, detaching those lands from the Pleasant Valley Subbasin to the Tulare Lake Subbasin, and C) Include Section 6, T25S, R22E, from Kern County, which is part of the Tulare Lake Drainage District, detaching it from the Kern Subbasin to the Tulare Lake Subbasin. The proposed modifications consolidate agencies and landowners that have a majority of their lands in the Tulare Lake Subbasin. This minimizes the number of agencies and districts each of these subbasins have to coordinate with to manage in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA). On a regional scale, the proposal roughly preserves the Tulare Lake Subbasin's existing shape and size. The proposed adjustments do not significantly impact previous and ongoing groundwater management efforts in the region.

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

   • 5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE
5. Provide the proposed name for the new basin(s) or subbasin(s)

   N/A

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)
   Kern-Tulare Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY , 5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE
   Kings River Conservation District	5-022.09 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - WESTSIDE , 5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE , 5-022.08 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KINGS , 5-022.07 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - DELTA-MENDOTA
   Kings River Conservation District	5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE , 5-022.10 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - PLEASANT VALLEY , 5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
   Corcoran Irrigation District	5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE
   Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District	5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE

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):

• KRCD ACT.pdf (7.6MB) Uploaded on 02/11/2016 at 10:56AM

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

Attachment(s):

• KRCD Resolution 16-02.pdf (787.5kB) Uploaded on 02/11/2016 at 10:57AM

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):

• TulareLakeSubbasin proposal KRCD overview map.pdf (1.7MB) Uploaded on 03/18/2016 at 08:21AM
• TulareLakeSubbasin proposal KRCD detail map2.pdf (1.9MB) Uploaded on 03/18/2016 at 08:21AM

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

Attachment(s):

• TulareLake_Subbasin_proposed_KRCD.zip (27.8kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 11:16AM

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

Attachment(s):

• TulareLake_Subbasin_mod_agencies_KRCD_Teale.zip (43.7kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 11:16AM

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

Does not qualify as a project under CEQA.

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 proposed description of the lateral boundaries is attached. No changes to the current definition of the definable bottom of the Tulare Lake Subbasin are being proposed.

Attachment(s):

• Tulare Lake Subbasin proposed modifcation description for submission2.pdf (75kB) Uploaded on 02/24/2016 at 09:42AM

F. Notice and Consultation

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

Kings County, Kern County, Dudley Ridge Water District, Tulare Lake Drainage District, Lost Hills Water District

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

In addition to close coordination with agencies involved in ongoing regional groundwater planning efforts, GIS files were obtained from multiple sources including counties, county LAFCos, cities, districts and State agencies. These files were overlaid on a map of the existing subbasins. Included and adjacent agencies were identified and contacted one by one to educate them on the proposal, solicit their input and to gauge their interest in other related areas of the SGMA planning process.

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.

As was explained earlier, KRCD identified and then contacted all impacted agencies one by one to educate them on the proposal, to solicit input and to gauge interest in other related areas of the SGMA planning process. A webpage ( www.kingsgroundwater.info ) was developed which contains detailed information on the proposal, including an interactive GIS map that allows interested agencies and the public the ability to review existing and proposed boundaries at a regional scale as well as at a highly detailed local scale. Countless emails and phone calls were exchanged over the past year between KRCD staff and various impacted parties. KRCD also coordinated over a dozen face-to-face meetings with local overlying and adjacent interests to work through questions and concerns pertaining to certain areas of the proposal.

Attachment(s):

• email requests for modification input.pdf (50.9kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:29AM
• Wonderful Ochards request for ADDITIONAL SGMA Boundary modification proposal.pdf (285.3kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:28AM
• email - Submission of adjusted Kings and Tulare Lake Subbasin boundaries.pdf (642.2kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:29AM
• County of Kern support email for TLDD Tulare Lake Sub-basin change.pdf (205.3kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 11:25AM
• Proposal email - SGMA Boundary modification proposals.pdf (2.3MB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:30AM
• DRWD_ SGMA Boundary modification proposals.pdf (979.2kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:30AM
• TLDD letter to Kern Groundwater Authority incl Semitropic.pdf (613kB) Uploaded on 04/05/2016 at 08:28AM
• email_Lost_Hills_WD_Potential GSA Boundary Change.pdf (62.4kB) Uploaded on 04/05/2016 at 08:28AM

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.

A public hearing was noticed and held on January 29, 2016, at the Kings County Supervisors? Chambers. Included is proof of publication of the notice in a local newspaper and copies of the sign-in sheet, agenda and materials from the hearing. Below is a link to the webpage where notice of the hearing was also published. No public comments were received during or following the public hearing. ? http://kingsgroundwater.info/sgma-legislation/groundwater-basin-boundary-modifications/

Attachment(s):

• TLB public meeting notice official.pdf (115.5kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 01:18PM
• TLB public meeting sign in.pdf (372.9kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 01:18PM
• SGMA Tulare Lake Overview Handout 8-07-15.pdf (515.8kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 01:19PM
• FAQ Tulare Lake Basin Handout 11-18-15.pdf (149.9kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 01:19PM
• Boundary Mod Hearing Agenda (Tulare Lake).pdf (45.2kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:34AM

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.

No formal comments have been received at this time. All impacted local agencies were directly involved in the iterative modification process and opted to provide informal input that was incorporated by KRCD into the final proposal.

G. General Existing Groundwater Management

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

In cooperation with KRCD and other local agency partners, County of Kings has been recommended for funding through the Prop 1 Counties with Distressed Basin Grant Program for the development of a hydrologic model for the county and surrounding boundary areas. The new model will fully cover the proposed Tulare Lake Subbasin boundary. Also overlying the proposed boundary are three (3) SB-1938 Groundwater Management Plans (GWMPs) and a network of California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) program monitoring wells coordinated by way of a multi-agency memorandum of understanding. These efforts within the proposed subbasin area support a strong foundation for SGMA implementation through the building of relationships, coordinated data collection, technical studies and regional planning.

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

The proposed modifications seek to contiguously distribute most agencies and landowners so that they are contained entirely within the Tulare Lake or Pleasant Valley Subbasins. Taking such action will reduce the number of subbasins and GSAs several agencies would alternatively need to coordinate with.

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

Generally speaking, the Tulare Lake Subbasin consists of a shallow aquifer and a deep aquifer separated by a hydrogeologic formation known as the Corcoran Clay. The Corcoran Clay layer varies from approximately 50 to 200 feet in thickness, and occurs at depths of 400 to 600 feet. The soil profile above and below the Corcoran Clay layer consists of very dense clay as well. The soils that underlie the majority of the subbasin (South of Lemoore) are primarily low water bearing, fine textured clay materials with interspersed lenses of silty sand. As such, most groundwater pumping occurs in the northern half of the subbasin while the southern half is more dependent on allocation of surface water. These relatively impermeable soils also limit direct recharge of the shallow aquifer in most areas of the subbasin. In some areas of the subbasin groundwater elevations have dropped more than 100 feet in the past 50 years while in other areas elevations have only dropped by about 10 ft or less. Local agencies have actively monitored groundwater conditions for many years and collaborate on efficient management of the region's surface water and groundwater resources. In wet years the aquifer will show signs of rebound, however reductions in imported surface water exacerbated by periods of drought have resulted in a net average annual overdraft and land surface subsidence that newly formed GSAs will be required to address.

Attachment(s):

• Lower Kings Basin_SB_1938_GWMP_lowres.pdf (12.7MB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 10:07AM
• KingsCountyWD_GWMP-lowres.pdf (4.2MB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 10:04AM
• TLB Coordinated GWMP (1938 Compliant).pdf (1.8MB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 10:03AM

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 boundary modification will have only a nominal impact on various state programs, including California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM), local GWMPs and IRWMPs, and various Central Valley modeling and monitoring programs. It is believed that these changes will not significantly change historical regional calculations of water storage and water quality conditions. However, over time these efforts will require investments of time and resources towards adoption of the new boundary.

H. Local Support

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

In addition to the meetings, emails and phone calls over the last year, KRCD created and updated the website linked to below. KRCD also sent mass and inidividual emails notifying the identified agencies in the Kings and Tulare Lake Subbasins of the schedule and current (at the time) boundary descriptions and proposals. http://kingsgroundwater.info/sgma-legislation/groundwater-basin-boundary-modifications/

Attachment(s):

• email - Submission of adjusted Kings and Tulare Lake Subbasin boundaries.pdf (642.2kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:32AM
• email requests for modification input.pdf (50.9kB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:32AM
• Proposal email - SGMA Boundary modification proposals.pdf (2.3MB) Uploaded on 03/21/2016 at 09:32AM

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.

Kings County Board of Supervisor's authorized support, a letter from Dudley Ridge Water District authorizing the modification proposal and a letter of support from Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District are attached.

Attachment(s):

• Boundary ltr to KRCD 11-2015.pdf (30.2kB) Uploaded on 02/23/2016 at 01:35PM
• Kings County Board of Supervisors support.pdf (844.4kB) Uploaded on 03/09/2016 at 02:37PM
• 2016 0212 Ltr of support to TLDD reg B118 boundary change.pdf (209.9kB) Uploaded on 03/09/2016 at 02:39PM

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

No opposition is known to exist at this time.

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.

KRCD requests a waiver of this requirement as this modification does not include hydrogeologic features that would affect sustainable groundwater management in the Tulare Lake, Pleasant Valley or Kern Subbasins.

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://kingsgroundwater.info/groundwater-planning-reports/

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

Currently GSA formation efforts in the Tulare Lake Subbasin are dovetailing off of existing AB 3030 / SB 1938 GWMPs and the intra-basin coordination of those plans. Representative agencies whom are participating in each of the GSA groups are currently negotiating a Tulare Lake Subbasin SGMA Coordination MOU. An early objective of the group will be to cooperatively develop the proposed Kings County hydrologic model recommended for funding through the Prop 1 Counties with Distressed Basins Grant Program. KRCD and County of Kings staffs are facilitating coordination efforts and regularly attend individual GSA formation group meetings throughout the subbasin. At this time it is believed that the subbasin will be managed by 4 to 5 GSAs and multiple GSPs coordinated through legal agreement.