STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 18
3/26/2024
JC
Date: March 26, 2024
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Larissa De La Cruz, Director - Community Development Patti Garibay, Assistant Director – Planning and Permitting Subject: Approval of the Ground Water Transfer Agreement between the City of Lancaster and the 50th District Agricultural Association
Recommendations:
1. Approve the Ground Water Transfer Agreement between the City of Lancaster and the 50th District Agricultural Association (50th District) to transfer 32-acre feet (AF) of Permanent Ground Water Rights that were allocated to the 50th District through the Water Adjudication Final Judgement.
2. Approve the Transfer Request Form which will be submitted jointly by the City of Lancaster and 50 th District to the Antelope Valley Water Master (Water Master) for approval of the transaction.
3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designees, to execute all documents and make any non- substantive changes necessary to complete the transaction.
Fiscal Impact:
The City will pay an application fee of $1,650.00 to the Water Master upon submittal of the transfer application. Funding is available in account 10191500.5710 to pay for the application fee.
Background:
As a participant in the Antelope Valley Ground Water Adjudication, the 50 th District received 32 AF of permanent groundwater rights which they are currently not utilizing for their site and have no plans to utilize in the future. The Adjudication ruling allows the 50 th District and other State agencies who received an allocation of permanent water rights to transfer those rights to another State agency or local agency of their choosing. The process to transfer permanent water rights includes the submittal of an application to the Water Master which provides details of the transfer including the amount of water being transferred and where the water will be utilized by the recipient.
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The City supports the 50th District throughout the year for various events hosted at their site including the Antelope Valley Fair, California Poppy Festival, and the 4th of July Celebration. Staff help to prepare the facility for the events, review traffic plans, and also provide support on the day of the events in addition to other support activities.
The 50th District is willing to transfer their 32 AF of permanent water rights to the City in exchange for the City’s continued support on the various events. With Council approval, staff will work with the 50 th District to submit the water transfer application and get approval for the transaction through the Water Master.
The City does not have plans to utilize the water at this time but will have the water available to transfer or allocate for future projects. The City will need to submit a transfer application once a decision has been made on how the 32 AF will be utilized.
PG/sm
Attachments:
Ground Water Transfer Agreement
Transfer Request Form