Schedule: Routine activity
Status: Begin in 2014 and ongoing. A communication plan is used during heavy period of rain as well as the spring thaw from heavy snow load in the higher elevations. This is used with direct contact with residents and others impacted from flows with the San Joaquin River.
5. SOUTHWEST FRESNO – RECYCLED WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION
Hazard(s) Addressed: Drought, Agricultural hazards
Issue/Background: In 2009, the State of California adopted a recycled water policy establishing a mandate to increase the use of recycled water in California by 200,000 acre-feet per year by 2020 and an additional 300,000 acre-feet per year by 2030. The Recycled Water Master Plan prepared by the City of Fresno, Department of Public Utilities (DPU), identifies opportunities to assist with compliance of this law by reducing groundwater pumping and replacing groundwater with recycled water for non- potable purposes (i.e. outdoor irrigation, dust control, fountains, etc.). On April 11, 2013, the Council adopted the Recycled Water Master Plan and associated environmental documents.
In 2017, the DPU commissioned a 5 MGD Tertiary Treatment Facility at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. DPU is currently constructing a Recycled Water Distribution System in Southwest Fresno to deliver recycled water to parks, cemeteries, schools, agricultural uses, etc., to offset potable water irrigation demands. This will help mitigate drought by enabling the use of recycled water for certain uses instead of tapping potable water supplies.
Other Alternatives: DPU has a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) which was updated in the City of Fresno’s 2015 Urban Water Management Plan to manage water shortages including drought conditions. The WSCP consists of four stages allowing the City to ultimately reduce its water demand to a level commensurate with the water supplies available to a maximum reduction of 50 percent.
Responsible Office: City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
61 Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $75,000,000
Potential Funding: California State Water Resources Control Board – Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Reduced ground water pumping by using recycled water for non-potable purposes.
Schedule: 1-3 years
Status: 2018 project, In progress
6. SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT COMPLIANCE INCLUDING
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Hazard(s) Addressed: Drought
Issue/Background: The Kings subbasin underlays the City of Fresno and like many groundwater basins throughout the State, this subbasin is in overdraft condition with underground aquifers adversely impacted by overuse. Such impacts include significant decline in water storage and water levels, degradation of water quality, and land subsidence resulting in the permanent loss of storage capacity.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) provides for the establishment of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage groundwater sustainability within groundwater subbasins defined by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The City of Fresno has become a joint power authority of the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency, other members of the Agency include the County of Fresno, City of Kerman, City of Clovis, Biola Community Services District, Garfield Water District and International Water District. As a member of the North Kings GSA, the City of Fresno is required to participate in the development and implementation, no later than January 31, 2020, of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to ensure a sustainable yield of groundwater, without causing undesirable results. Failure to comply with that requirement could result in the State asserting its power to manage local groundwater resources. Participation in the North Kings GSA and the implementation of a GSP will allow the City to maintain sustainable groundwater supplies while providing insurance against periods of long-term drought, a high significance hazard for the City of Fresno.
Other Alternatives: None, compliance required by law, failure to meet requirements will result in State intervention and oversight.
Responsible Office: City Engineer and North Kings GSA
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: Varies by GSA for preparation of the required GSP. Further expenses are anticipated to be accrued for the planning and construction of groundwater recharge projects.
Potential Funding: Property owner assessments along with California Department of Water Resources Grants and Loans.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024 62
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Preparation and implementation of the GSP by the respective GSAs will result in the management of groundwater in a manner that is sustainable and avoids undesirable results as defined by the California State Department of Water Resources.
Schedule: GSAs must complete and submit the required GSP to DWR, which is to be fully implemented and result in sustainability of the groundwater basin, with no undesirable effects, by the year 2040.
Status: 2018 project, In progress
U .S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region 9
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607-4052
www.fema.gov
A
pril 14, 2025
T
erri Mejorado
Emergency Manager
Fresno County
1221 Fulton Street
Fresno, California 93721
D
ear Terri Mejorado:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed its review of the 2025 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan and has determined that this plan is eligible for final approval, pending its formal adoption by Fresno County and all participating jurisdictions. Please refer to the enclosed list of jurisdictions currently considered Approvable Pending Adoption (APA).
F
ormal adoption documentation must be submitted to FEMA Region 9 by at least one participating jurisdiction within one calendar year from the date of this letter. If no adoption is received within that timeframe, the plan must be updated and resubmitted for review.
F
EMA will issue formal approval of the plan upon receipt of the adoption documentation. Once approved, all other participating jurisdictions must adopt the plan within five calendar years of the approval date. Adoption of the plan is required to maintain eligibility for funding under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs. All funding requests will be evaluated individually based on the specific eligibility criteria and requirements of the applicable HMA program.
P
lease note that while mitigation plans may include additional content to meet Element H:
Additional State Requirements or other local objectives, FEMA’s APA status does not constitute review or approval of any content exceeding FEMA’s standard mitigation planning requirements.
I
f you have any questions regarding the planning or review processes, please contact the FEMA Region 9 Hazard Mitigation Planning Team at [email protected].
S
incerely,
A
lison Kearns
Planning and Implementation Branch Chief
Mitigation Division
FEMA Region 9
Exhibit C
Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan Approvable Pending Adoption Notice April 14, 2025
www.fema.gov
Enclosures (2)
Fresno County Plan Review Tool, dated April 14, 2025
Status of Participating Jurisdictions, dated April 14, 2025
cc: Robyn Fennig, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Victoria LaMar-Haas, Hazard Mitigation Planning Chief, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan Approvable Pending Adoption Notice April 14, 2025
www.fema.gov
Status of Participating Jurisdictions as of April 14, 2025
Jurisdictions – Adopted and Approved
# Jurisdiction Adoption Receipt Date
Jurisdictions – Approvable Pending Adoption
# Jurisdiction
1 Fresno County
2 City of Clovis
3 City of Coalinga
4 City of Firebaugh
5 City of Fowler
6 City of Fresno
7 City of Kerman
8 City of Kingsburg
9 City of Mendota
10 City of Reedley
11 City of San Joaquin
12 City of Sanger
13 City of Selma
14 Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
15 Lower San Joaquin Levee District
16 Sierra Resource Conservation District/Highway 168 Fire Safe Council 17 Kings River Conservation District
18 Westlands Water District