B. Description of Proposed Boundary Modification

1. Short Description

   Delano Earlimart Irrigation District Internal Jurisdictional Boundary Modification request
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 proposed boundary modification request is an Internal Jurisdictional boundary modification that would place all of the lands within the current boundaries of the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District into the Tule Subbasin (5-22.13). DEID encompasses approximately 56,500 acres of which approximately 49,500 acres are within the Tule Subbasin and approximately 7,000 are in the Kern County Subbasin. The boundary modification would allow the approximately 7,000 acres within the Kern County Subbasin (5-22.14) to be within the Tule Subbasin for the purpose of the SGMA management and implementation. A map identifying the proposed boundary modification is shown in Exhibit A: Jurisdictional Boundary Modification Request ? Tule/Kern Subbasins. The purpose for the proposed boundary modification is to all the District to maintain consistency in the implementation of SGMA for all DEID landowners. DEID was formed in 1938 for the purposes of providing a collective surface water supply for those landowners within the district boundary, and the landowners within DEID expect the District to provide the same provisions to all landowners for surface water and ground water management. The proposed boundary modification would allow DEID to continue managing the district within one subbasin, keeping water management consistent and efficient within the district. As the majority (more than 87%) of the current district being within the Tule Subbasin, the request is to move the remaining 13% of the district acres within the Kern County Subbasin into the Tule Subbasin. DEID provides the management of groundwater within the district, has participated in the CASGEM program and has implemented a Groundwater Management Plan (AB 3030, updated to SB 1938 plan) that covers the entire district. Placing DEID in two subbasins for the purposes of the SGMA would disconnect these programs and plans as they are currently being implemented. A copy of the DEID Groundwater Management Plan is included in Appendix D: DEID Groundwater Management Plan. Further benefit of the proposed boundary modification request is that it would allow for DEID to participate in one subbasin Coordination Agreement rather than two separate agreements. This will allow DEID to maintain efficient measures to implement SGMA. The current subbasin boundary conforms with the Kern-Tulare County line, a political subdivision with no direct relationship to the underlying hydrogeologic features. The current location of the subbasins dividing line is clearly based more on political and governmental management considerations, rather than on scientific considerations. Political and governmental management considerations support moving the sub-basin boundary line to match the irrigation district boundary rather than county jurisdictional lines: SGMA recognizes an important connection between groundwater management and surface water management. In the case of the lands affected by this proposed modification, surface water management is a primary function of DEID, and therefore DEID's jurisdictional boundary provides for a more jurisdictional subdivision boundary line.

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

   • 5-022.13 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULE
   • 5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
5. Provide the proposed name for the new basin(s) or subbasin(s)

   Not applicable

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)
   Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District	5-022.13 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULE , 5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
   Kern-Tulare Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY , 5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE
   Kings River Conservation District	5-022.12 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - TULARE LAKE , 5-022.10 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - PLEASANT VALLEY , 5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
   Tejon-Castac Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
   Devils Den Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY , 5-022.10 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - PLEASANT VALLEY
   Olcese Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY
   West Kern Water District	5-022.14 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - KERN COUNTY

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):

• Legal Authority DEID.pdf (8.9kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:30PM

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

Attachment(s):

• DEID Resolution.pdf (676.3kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:35PM

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):

• Proposed Boundary Modification Map.pdf (763.5kB) Uploaded on 04/01/2016 at 12:50PM

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

Attachment(s):

• Proposed Basin Boundary.zip (19.3kB) Uploaded on 04/04/2016 at 04:11PM

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

Attachment(s):

• DEID Boundary.zip (11.8kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 05:17PM

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

The action described in this request (authorizing a request to DWR to modify basin boundaries for the purposes of SGMA implementation) constitutes a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; however, the project, as so defined, is exempt under CEQA guidelines. The CEQA guidelines (Section 15320) provides for categorical exemption for classes of actions described as ?local government reorganizations requiring no changes in the areas where previous powers were exercised.? The purpose of this basin boundary modification is to allow for the same form of groundwater regulation to occur within DEID as part of the Tule Subbasin which would otherwise result in the growers within DEID being in two basins, the Tule subbasin and the Kern County Subbasin planning area. This therefore matches the definition of a change in ?local government re-organization? that does not change the powers that are exercised in the affected area, and therefore is exempt from CEQA. Alternatively, Class 7 (CEQA Guidelines section 15307) provides an exemption for actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources. The action in this case allows for Delano Earlimart Irrigation District to more efficiently manage and protect groundwater (a natural resource) in the affected areas, and there Class 7 exemption applies. Under the above guideline provisions, DEID has determined the project is exempt. The DEID Board filed a Notice of Exemption with the affected County (in this case, both Kern and Tulare Counties).

Attachment(s):

• NOE DEID Boundary Modification.pdf (838kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:47PM

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.

The Delano Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Management Plan (Attached: DEID Groundwater Management Plan) includes (under Section 2) a detailed discussion of the geology and hydrogeology of the DEID, including the Jurisdictional Boundary Modification area. DEID is located entirely within the confines of the San Joaquin Valley, which according to USGS reports is an over 20,000 square mile structural trough that received sediments from the Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the east and the Coastal Range to the west (Exhibit C: Geomorphic Units Map). From east to west across the Valley Floor, the geology consists of valley fill deposits and sediments which thickens towards the Coastal Range to the west. These valley deposits, within which the DEID and the proposed Jurisdictional Boundary Modification area are situated, consist almost entirely of thin alluvial deposits. In general, DEID is underlain by (oldest to youngest) basement complex meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic and intrusive plutonic rocks. A. Principal Aquifers DEID is located in the Tulare Lake Bed Hydrologic Region, as stated in DWR Bulletin 118. This hydrologic region has 12 distinct groundwater basins and 7 subbasins. DEID is located in both the Tule Subbasin and Kern County Subbasin (See Attached Exhibit A: Jurisdicitonal Boundary Modification Request Tulare/Kern Subbasins). According to DWR Bulletin 118, both basins are considered critically overdrafted. The principal aquifers available to DEID are located in the alluvial deposits, termed Older Alluvium, at depths of up to 1,000 ft. The Older Alluvium contains poorly sorted sand, silt, clay, and gravel with moderate to high permeability. These deposits contain the most readily available groundwater that is pumped for domestic water use and irrigation. Below the Older Alluvium are Continental Deposits from the Sierra Nevada, these deposits deepen and thicken toward the west and south, and contain brackish water at depths of approximately 2,000 feet east of Highway 99. B. Lateral Boundaries As described in DWR Bulletin 118, the subbasins are geographically bordered by the Temblor Range to the west, the Tehachapi Mountains to the South, and the southern Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the East. A widespread clay layer called the Blue Clay is approximately 300 feet deep westerly of State Highway 99 and 50 to 100 feet thick, impeding vertical groundwater flow. The Blue Clay layer is thought to confine an aquifer known as the Schenley Sand. Additionally, a widespread lacustrine clay layer extends from just east of Highway 99 to the West. This clay layer is a member of the Corcoran Clay, which is approximately 200 below ground surface on the eastern edge and deepens to about 500 feet towards the center of the valley floor. The Corcoran Clay averages between 50 to 80 feet thick and differentiates the upper and lower confined aquifers west of the eastern edge. The bottom of the aquifer is defined by the basement complex (meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic, and intrusive plutonic rocks) overlain by Tertiary marine sediments. The marine sediments are overlain by continental rocks and deposits. These layers range from a thickness of approximately 4,000 feet near Richgrove to 7,000 feet near Delano.

Attachment(s):

• Exhibit A Tule Kern Subbasins.pdf (1.8MB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:50PM
• DEID - groundwater_management_plan.pdf (898.6kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:51PM

F. Notice and Consultation

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

Tulare County Kern County Delano Earlimart Irrigation District Tule Subbasin SGMA MOU Parties Kern Groundwater Authority

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

The methods used for identification of the affected public agencies and water systems was compiled utilizing the Department of Water Resources listing of Public Water Agencies, State of California map to identify communities and cities, and the Department of Water Resources online Groundwater Basin Boundary Assessment tool. Within the proposed boundary modification area, there are no public water systems or communities.

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.

A copy of a report summarizing the boundary modification was submitted in January to each affected agency, requesting comments or support. Attached is a copy of the report submitted to each agency, which included: Tulare County Kern County Delano Earlimart Irrigation District Tule Subbasin SGMA MOU Parties Kern Groundwater Authority

Attachment(s):

• DEID Juristictional Boundary Modification Request Report.pdf (10.3MB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:03PM

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.

DEID Board Meetings (Public): All Agendas attached 10.8.15 11.12.15 12.10.15 1.14.16 Tule Subbasin MOU Parties Meeting Agendas attached: 2.4.16 2.12.16 3.15.16 Tule Subbasin SGMA MOU Parties: All Agendas attached 12.18.15

Attachment(s):

• 12-10-15 agenda (revised).docx (80.6kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:05PM
• 11-12-15 agenda.docx (81.1kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:05PM
• 10-08-15 agenda.docx (84.5kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:05PM
• 01-14-16 agenda.docx (87kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:05PM
• Agenda 03-15-16 (Tech).pdf (18.9kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 05:22PM
• Agenda 02-12-16 (Tech).pdf (19.2kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 05:22PM
• Agenda 02-04-16 (Stakeholders).pdf (25.7kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 05:22PM

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.

None were received

G. General Existing Groundwater Management

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

The boundary between the Tule Subbasin and the Kern Subbasin is located at the Kern County / Tulare County line. There is no significant geologic or hydrologic feature located at this boundary that would affect sustainable groundwater management. As demonstrated in DEID Groundwater Management Plan, DEID is located entirely within the confines of the San Joaquin Valley and Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, with the principal aquifer covering the entirety of the district. In addition, this proposed boundary modification will keep groundwater management consistent for the DEID landowners, which will improve coordination efforts, minimize confusion, and provide ease for compliance of the new regulations. This boundary modification constitutes an internal jurisdictional boundary line change rather than a scientific boundary change and will have no impact on groundwater sustainability.

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 between the Tule Subbasin and the Kern Subbasin is located at the Kern County ? Tulare County line. There is no significant geologic or hydrologic feature located at this boundary that would affect sustainable groundwater management. As demonstrated in Appendix D: DEID Groundwater Management Plan, DEID is located entirely within the confines of the San Joaquin Valley and Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, with the principal aquifer covering the entirety of the district. This boundary modification constitutes an internal jurisdictional boundary line change rather than a scientific boundary change and will have no impact on groundwater sustainability. Furthermore, keeping a consistent approach for all landowners within the DEID boundary and preventing multiple subbasins will keep the sustainability goals and objectives consistent.

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

Attachment(s):

• DWR Library Data.xlsx (77.7kB) Uploaded on 03/23/2016 at 05:15PM

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.

There will be no impacts as DEID currently submits to CASGEM for their entire area and has a Groundwater Management Plan already completed for the proposed boundary.

Attachment(s):

• DEID - groundwater_management_plan.pdf (898.6kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:51PM

H. Local Support

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

A full report summarizing the proposed boundary modification was provided to each agency.

Attachment(s):

• DEID Juristictional Boundary Modification Request Report.pdf (10.3MB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:03PM

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.

Tulare County - Supporting Resolution Kern County - Supporting Resolution Kern Groundwater Authority - Supporting Resolution Tule Subbasin SGMA MOU Parties - Supporting Letter

Attachment(s):

• Kern County Resolution.pdf (450.6kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:20PM
• Tulare County Resolution.pdf (475.2kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:20PM
• Tule Subbasin SGMA MOU Letter.pdf (370.4kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:21PM
• Kern Groundwater Authority Resolution.pdf (518kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 05:21PM

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

No opposition comments were 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.

The Delano Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Management Plan (Appendix D: DEID Groundwater Management Plan) includes (under Section 2) a detailed discussion of the geology and hydrogeology of the DEID, including the Jurisdictional Boundary Modification area. DEID is located entirely within the confines of the San Joaquin Valley, which according to USGS reports is an over 20,000 square mile structural trough that received sediments from the Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the east and the Coastal Range to the west (Exhibit C: Geomorphic Units Map). From east to west across the Valley Floor, the geology consists of valley fill deposits and sediments which thickens towards the Coastal Range to the west. These valley deposits, within which the DEID and the proposed Jurisdictional Boundary Modification area are situated, consist almost entirely of thin alluvial deposits. In general, DEID is underlain by (oldest to youngest) basement complex meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic and intrusive plutonic rocks. Principal Aquifers DEID is located in the Tulare Lake Bed Hydrologic Region, as stated in DWR Bulletin 118. This hydrologic region has 12 distinct groundwater basins and 7 subbasins. DEID is located in both the Tule Subbasin and Kern County Subbasin (See Exhibit A: Jurisdicitonal Boundary Modification Request Tulare/Kern Subbasins). According to DWR Bulletin 118, both basins are considered critically overdrafted. The principal aquifers available to DEID are located in the alluvial deposits, termed Older Alluvium, at depths of up to 1,000 ft. The Older Alluvium contains poorly sorted sand, silt, clay, and gravel with moderate to high permeability. These deposits contain the most readily available groundwater that is pumped for domestic water use and irrigation. Below the Older Alluvium are Continental Deposits from the Sierra Nevada, these deposits deepen and thicken toward the west and south, and contain brackish water at depths of approximately 2,000 feet east of Highway 99. Groundwater Recharge Groundwater recharge for the aquifer occurs primarily from river and stream seepage, underflow of permeable deposits bordering the valley, percolation from irrigation and ponding basins, and surface water irrigation in lieu of groundwater pumping. Several agencies located in the basin discharge supplemental surface water flows into existing natural streambeds and sloughs for groundwater recharge. Over application of irrigation water on farmed fields also provides groundwater recharge. Additionally, recharge basins located in each subbasin provide direct recharge to the aquifer as surface water is available. Based on the Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM), the average groundwater recharge from surface water processed throughout the Central Valley is 7.7 million acre-feet per year. The floodplains of White River and Rag Gulch, as well as other streams in the area, are composed of Younger Alluvium. These deposits are composed primarily of sands and finer materials, allowing for effective groundwater recharge. The boundary between the Tule Subbasin and the Kern Subbasin is located at the Kern County ? Tulare County line. There is no significant geologic or hydrologic feature located at this boundary that would affect sustainable groundwater management. As demonstrated in Appendix D: DEID Groundwater Management Plan, DEID is located entirely within the confines of the San Joaquin Valley and Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, with the principal aquifer covering the entirety of the district. This boundary modification constitutes an internal jurisdictional boundary line change rather than a scientific boundary change and will have no impact on groundwater sustainability.

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.

Attachment(s):

• DEID - groundwater_management_plan.pdf (898.6kB) Uploaded on 03/22/2016 at 04:51PM

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

The Tule Subbasin interested stakeholders and potential groundwater sustainability agencies have executed a Memorandum of Understanding for purposes of discussing SGMA and for preparation of a Tule Subbasin Coordination Agreement, included in Tule Subbasin Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, a Technical Advisory Committee and an Outreach Committee have been formed by the MOU Stakeholder Parties for implementation of SGMA. DEID has been actively involved in these meetings and is signatory to the MOU. It appears the Tule Subbasin will have multiple GSA?s under one Coordination Agreement. DEID has expressed interest in becoming a GSA within the Tule Subbasin. The boundary modification request to include all DEID growers within one Subbasin will simplify and streamline the GSA administration and implementation of SGMA.