BLM seeks public input on proposed water pipeline project in Kern County
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RIDGECREST, Calif. – A proposed project to increase water supply in Kern County is now open for public comment.
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority has proposed a water pipeline that would be partially located on Bureau of Land Management public lands in Kern County in order to provide additional water to the City of Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley.
The Groundwater Authority originally identified this project in a Groundwater Sustainability Plan published in 2020 and approved by the California Department of Water Resources in 2022. The proposed pipeline would stretch between California City and Ridgecrest and include a right-of-way and authorization to construct a 50-mile buried pipeline up to 24-inches in diameter, of which 21 miles would pass through BLM-managed public lands.
If approved, the pipeline would originate at the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency located in California City and terminate at the Indian Wells Valley Water District’s Ridgecrest Heights Water Storage Tank southwest of Ridgecrest. The proposed project would also include the construction of three booster pump stations and a regulating station, which would be necessary to pump the water over the El Paso Mountains between California City and Ridgecrest.
The proposed project area is partly located within three Areas of Critical Environmental Concern: El Paso to Golden Valley, Western Rand Mountains and Fremont-Kramer. The project plan would include design features to mitigate potential conflict with the desert tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel, and other natural and cultural resources in these areas.
Release of the project documents begins a 30-day public scoping period, during which the public can identify issues, suggest alternatives or provide information for potential consideration. Substantive written comments must be received by November 4, 2023. Members of the public may review the documents and submit comments via the BLM NEPA Register website, by email at mwiegmann@blm.gov, by fax at 760-384-5499 or by mail to the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, Attention: Paul Rodriquez, 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
For additional information, please contact BLM Realty Specialist Paul Rodriquez at prodriqu@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.