STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MEETING

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

OCTOBER 23, 1997


ITEM 1: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN TO THE LOST HILLS WATER DISTRICT FOR THE SEEPAGE CONTROL PROJECT (LOAN NUMBER C-06-6045-110)

DISCUSSION: The Lost Hills Water District (LHWD) submitted a loan application for a Seepage Control Project (Project). The amount of the loan request is $1,875,000. The Project will be to install concrete lining on 29,530 feet of unlined canal in LHWD's Service Area 2.

The Project objective is to reduce seepage into the shallow ground water table in western Kern County. The Project area has high concentrations of salinity, selenium, and boron. The unlined canals that are to be lined are presently losing approximately 730 acre-feet of irrigation water annually. Concrete lining is approximately 97 percent effective, thereby saving at least 708 acre-feet of irrigation water per year.

In addition to water conservation and reducing the impacts of salinity, selenium, and boron leaching into the ground water, the Project will reduce the requirement for weed control chemicals used in unlined canals. Also, the reduction in seepage will lower the ground water table, allowing growers to convert from row crops to trees. LHWD completed a Categorical Exemption under Sections 21083 and 21807 of the Public Resources Code to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act in August 1997.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approve an SRF loan to the LHWD for $1,875,000 to construct the Project?

FISCAL IMPACT: According to SWRCB Resolution No. 97-001 (Approval of a Staff Proposal to Better Manage the SRF Repayment Account), the SWRCB may approve preliminary loan commitments against the current Federal Fiscal Year account and against 125 percent of future repayment funds based on scheduled loan dates. The SRF account balances, anticipated repayment amounts, and project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in October 1997 are as follows:


 Loan No. 1998 1999 2000
SRF Account Repayment Repayment
Balance:
$50,978,954 $63,633,739 $63,633,739
125% Repayment:

$79,542,174 $79,542,174
Previous commitment:

-$61,300,000 -$50,000,000



Town of Mammoth Lakes 6031-110 $200,000

Town of Mammoth Lakes 6032-110 $212,000

Town of Mammoth Lakes 6033-110 $376,000

Lost Hills Water District 6045-110 $1,875,000

Panoche Water District 6044-110 $5,600,000

Del Puerto Water District 6047-110 $4,000,000






Balance after Approval:
$38,715,954 $18,242,174 $29,542,174


RWQCB IMPACT: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB approves an SRF loan of $1,875,000 to the LHWD for construction of the Project.

SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 DRAFT

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 97-

APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN TO THE LOST HILLS DISTRICT FOR THE SEEPAGE CONTROL PROJECT (LOAN NUMBER C-06-6045-110)


WHEREAS:

1. The Lost Hills Water District (LHWD) has requested a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $1,875,000 for the Seepage Control Project (Project).

2. The Project will reduce the volume of irrigation water leaching salts, selenium, and boron into the shallow ground water table in western Kern County by 708 acre-feet a year.

3. The Project will also conserve water and reduce the use of weed control chemicals.

4. The LHWD completed a Categorical Exemption to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.


THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves an SRF loan for $1,875,000 to the LHWD for the Project.


CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, 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 October 23, 1997.


Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board