This notice regards:
2018-2019 Rescheduled Water
As reported in Notice No. 552 dated August 3, 2018, the District anticipates the amount of water that may be carried over to the 2019 water contract year will be limited to approximately 170,000 acre-feet. The water remaining at contract year end in excess of the limit will be lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy.
Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, loss (whether cap or rescheduling) is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is applied in the following order and manner:
- Any remaining Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap (0.5 acre-feet per irrigable acre).
- Water rescheduled by the District.
- Remaining Rescheduled Water.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water within the Acreage Based Cap.
Water users are given until March 10 to transfer water between accounts to reduce exposure to the Acreage Based Cap.
As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M, applicable District rates, and any other costs the District incurs. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Russ Freeman at (559) 241-6241.
General Allocation of Excess Supplemental Water
The Bureau of Reclamation’s allocation to Central Valley Project (CVP) south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors is currently 50 percent for the 2018-2019 water contract year. The CVP currently has approximately 6.7 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 112 percent of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2.5 million acre-feet; 101 percent of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 381,000 acre-feet; 137 percent of the 15-year average. Jones is operating at five units and is expected to continue as such through October. The current Total Agricultural Water Rate for 2018-2019 CVP water is $211.05 per acre-foot, delivered.
2018-2019 Supplemental Water Supply Update
The total 2018-2019 Supplemental Water request as of July 15 was 92,983 acre-feet on 256,450 acres and the District will meet the request. The estimated Supplemental Water delivered cost will range from $430 – $460 per acre-foot. The District has allocated 80,487 acre-feet thus far in 2018, and the timing and amounts of expected allocations for the year are shown in the table below. This schedule will continue to be updated monthly to reflect supplies and/or changes to the timing of delivery.
| Allocation Month | AF Amount |
| April | 0 |
| May – Actual | 59,069 |
| June – Actual | 0 |
| July – Actual | 21,418 |
| August – Actual | 0 |
| September – Estimate | 12, 496 |
| Total | 92,983 |
Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time of allocation, while operation and maintenance-related costs will be billed when the water is delivered. The allocation advance payment will apply toward the delivered Supplemental Water rate. The water will be allocated to water user accounts as Project water or non-Project water (if available), allowing Full-Cost rates to be applied as required by Reclamation Law. Additionally, since the District has committed to purchase Supplemental Water, agreements may not be revoked or amended.
Land-Based Charges September Installment
The September installment of the 2018-2019 Land-Based Charges is due September 25, 2018. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date. Please contact Steve Farmer, Customer Accounting Supervisor at (559) 241-6240 for additional information about Land-Based Charges.
Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) – Funding Opportunity
The Board of Directors approved the use of Public Purpose Program (P3) Funds available from the Power and Water Resources Pooling Authority (PWRPA) in a cost sharing program for funding irrigation system improvements under the District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP). To qualify for the funds, water users must install a system on lands served by a facility enrolled in the Groundwater Management Program, Irrigation System Management Program or Temporary Diversion Program. The cost share program will fund up to 35 percent or $45,500, whichever is less, of an irrigation system lease/purchase. The balance of the system’s cost will be funded under and in conformance with the EISIP (i.e., water users must offer 160 acres of non-annexed land as security and provide a 20 percent down payment followed by four annual payments amortized at 3.1 percent per annum). Interested water users should submit an EISIP/P3 application. For additional information on applying for this program, please contact Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235.
Irrigation Evaluation Cost Share Program – Funding Opportunity
The District is offering a cost share program to water users who pay for irrigation evaluations. The amount of the reimbursement is set at 25 percent of the invoice amount or $500, whichever is less, and water users must be willing to submit copies of paid invoice(s) and evaluation report(s). Interested water users should contact Israel Sanchez at 559-241-6237 for further details.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
At the September 17th Special Board Meeting, held at Harris Ranch, District staff presented information on the Westside Subbasin Model and provided a status of the District’s SGMA efforts. Information on the District’s groundwater model included the development, inputs, outputs and assumptions. At the September 18th Board Meeting, District staff gave a presentation discussing a potential concept for managing the groundwater subbasin based on water levels. As a reminder, all meetings are open to public, and presentation materials are available on the District’s website. For additional information, contact Kiti Campbell at (559) 241-6226 or sgma@westlandswater.org.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members – Free Workshops
The Westlands Water Quality Coalition (WWQC) will hold a Nitrogen Management Self-Certification Training Workshop on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. A Nitrogen Management Continuing Education Workshop will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM for members with Nitrogen Management Plan Self-Certification. The free workshops will be held at the Riverdale Memorial Hall, located at 3085 W. Mt. Whitney Ave, Riverdale, CA 93656. RSVP to Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235 or nbranum@westlandswater.org.
In addition, the WWQC continues to seek coalition volunteers with wells screened above the Corcoran Clay, varying in depth from less than 200 feet to over 800 below ground surface, to participate in the Groundwater Quality Trend Monitoring (GQTM) Program. The GQTM Program is required by the Western Tulare Lake Basin General Order R5-2014-0001 (GO) and participation will involve minimal commitment and no cost. Water quality constituent sampling will occur once per year. If you have an Upper Zone well that might be a candidate or have any questions about the GQTM Program, please contact Debra Dunn at 559-241-6242 or ddunn@westlandswater.org.
Conclusion of Summer Hours of Operation
Effective September 10th the Five Points Office and Field Offices have concluded their summer hours of operation and have now resumed regular hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The hours of operation for all other District offices remain unchanged, which are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
Lease of District Owned Land
The District currently has land available for lease. For a detailed list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415.
Department of the Navy Agricultural Lease
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest has provided the enclosed announcement informing interested bidders about a Department of the Navy Agricultural Lease at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Please use the contact information in the letter if you have any questions about this agricultural lease program.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO LEASE GOVERNMENT LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES
- The Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, proposes to lease Government owned land for agricultural purposes located at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA under the process and terms outlined in the Invitation for Bid (IFB).
- Sealed bid and deposit must be received at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, ATTN: Erin Wilson, Real Estate, Code JV10.EW, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California, 92132-5190, by 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time, on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018. The bid opening will be conducted via a live conference call ONLY at 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018. As there will be no public access to the conference center, refer to call-in information in the IFB to listen to the actual bid opening. Bids will NOT be accepted after 2:00 P.M. FAX COPIES OF PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED RESPONSIVE.
- DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
| Parcel | Acres (AC) Farmable/ Rangeland | IFB Number | Lease Term |
| 4A44 | +/- 169.5 Total AC | N62473LO10703 | One (1) Five-year firm term: Dec 1, 2018 – Nov 30, 2023 One (1) Five-year option term: Dec 1, 2023 – Nov 30, 2028 |
| 4A45 | +/- 172.3 Total AC | N62473LO10704 | One (1) Five-year firm term: Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2023 One (1) Five-year option term: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2028 |
| 4A48 | +/- 176.6 Total AC | N62473LO10701 | One (1) Five-year firm term: Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2023 One (1) Five-year option term: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2028 |
| 4A51/4A52 | +/- 496.0 Total AC | N62473LO10700 | One (1) Five-year firm term: Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2021 Seven (7) One-year option terms: Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022 Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023 Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 Jan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028 |
| Not to exceed Ten (10) years |
- IFB package and instructions will be posted electronically on Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO). Interested bidders can view the IFB package by parcel number, print, and submit the completed Bid Form with a bid deposit.
- Interested bidders can access the following NECO website and proceed with the following steps:
- Search Synopsis
- Under NAICS Code scroll down to: “111 – Crop Production”
- Click on “Search” at bottom of page.
- Click on “NAS Lemoore Parcel 4A44”, “NAS Lemoore Parcel 4A45”, “NAS Lemoore Parcel 4A48” or “NAS Lemoore Parcels 4A51/4A52”.
- Click on “View Solicitation.”
- Under the Line Items section, download the file listed.
- The IFB documents must be reviewed thoroughly.
- Print the IFB documents, which include the Bid Form in the downloaded file.
- Complete and submit bid according to instructions outlined in the IFB.
- If you are a registered user on NECO, you may add yourself to the Plan Holder List. The Plan Holder List will notify you if there are any updates or amendments to the advertisement. To add yourself to the Plan Holder List: after you click on View Solicitation, locate Plan Holder List (below Issue Date) and click on “Add/Del.”
- If you have any questions, please contact Erin Wilson, Realty Specialist, at (619) 532-3889 or via email at erin.wilson@navy.mil.
- The Department of the Navy reserves the right not to award the Lease.
Upcoming Planned Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
The District provides a monthly listing of upcoming planned pumping plant and system maintenance. The schedule through December 2018 is as follows:
| Dates | Lateral(s) Impacted | Scheduled Work |
| 9-24 to 9-28 | 13RB | Pumping Plant Painting |
| 10-1 to 10-4 | 12RA | Exterior Tank Painting |
| 10-1 to 10-5 | 4R | Quinquennial Inspection |
| 10-1 to 10-5 | 31L | Pumping Plant Painting |
| 10-8 to 10-9 | 13RB | PLC Upgrades |
| 10-8 to 10-12 | 18L & 32L | Quinquennial & Pumping Plant Painting |
| 10-9 to 10-11 | 14R & 14RB | PLC Upgrades |
| 10-9 to 10-12 | 14RC | PLC Upgrades |
| 10-15 to 10-19 | 26R &33L | Quinquennial & Pumping Plant Painting |
| 10-22 to 10-26 | 19R & 34L | Quinquennial & Pumping Plant Painting |
| 10-29 to 11-1 | 28RB | Exterior Tank Painting |
| 10-29 to 11-2 | 30R & 35L | Quinquennial & Pumping Plant Painting |
| 11-5 to 11-16 | 16R | Quinquennial Inspection & PLC Upgrades |
| 11-26 to 11-30 | 20R | Quinquennial Inspection |
| 12-3 to 12-7 | 15L | Quinquennial Inspection |
| 12-10 to 12-14 | 38L | Quinquennial Inspection |
| 12-17 to 12-21 | 20L | Quinquennial Inspection |