WHEREAS:

1. The Westlands Water District (District) has requested a $5 million State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan for an Irrigation System Improvement Project (Project).

2. In addition to reducing selenium and salt loading to the ground water basin in the western San Joaquin Valley from deep percolation, the Project will promote irrigation efficiency, improved management, and water conservation practices.

3. The Project is consistent with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Resolution No. 88-195 approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in Resolution No. 89-88 as a best management practice for reducing agricultural subsurface drainage through water conservation.

4. The Project is a method for source control to manage subsurface drainage in the San Joaquin Valley in accordance with "The San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program"
final report.

5. The District has completed a Notice of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB approves an SRF loan of $5 million to the District for the Project. This approval is contingent upon the District entering into a loan contract agreement with the SWRCB and beginning the Project by July 1999.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the SWRCB, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on July 23, 1998.

/s/

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board