DATE: September 12, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Buddy Mendes
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution opposing the Semitropic Water Storage Districts
application to the California State Water Resources Control Board for
water rights to the Kings River
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
It is my recommendation that the Fresno County Board of Supervisors join Kings and Tulare Counties as well as several irrigation districts and adopt a Resolution opposing the Semitropic Water Storage Districts application to the California State Water Resources Control Board for water rights to the Kings River. If approved direct staff to send the Resolution to the California State Water Resources Control Board.
The Semitropic Water Storage District has submitted a petition to the California State Water Resources Control Board to revise the fully appropriated stream status of the Kings River and an application for the water rights. The petition and application are in support of a project that would export Kings River waters to Kern County and southward, via the California Aqueduct. If granted this would affect the full yield of the Kings River which is necessary to sustain the productive agricultural counties of Fresno, Kings and Tulare. This could also have a negative impact on the region’s economy.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The Board could choose not to adopt the Resolution
FISCAL IMPACT:
Unknown at this time.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Resolution