Farmers Water District Stream Gage Project

The Farmers Water District Stream Gage Project is an environmental initiative in Fresno County, California, aimed at upgrading the existing stream gage network within the Delta-Mendota Groundwater Subbasin to improve water resource monitoring in support of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) compliance. The project involves installing up to two new automated stream gaging stations on district property along the San Joaquin River, leveraging existing infrastructure to collect continuous real-time data on water level, electrical conductivity, and temperature. This data will be integrated with groundwater monitoring networks to enhance understanding of surface water and groundwater interactions, benefiting agricultural, domestic, and ecological water users. The initiative is administratively classified under CEQA categorical exemptions 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15306 (Information Collection), ensuring that all activities are limited to minor upgrades and non-invasive data collection without significant environmental impact. No construction, habitat alteration, or new facility development is permitted, and equipment must comply with size restrictions, such as devices under two inches in diameter. The project is funded through SGMA grant funds and managed by the Farmers Water District, with administrative oversight and filing handled through Fresno County and the California Office of Planning and Research. A Notice of Exemption was filed on October 13, 2025, along with supporting documentation including maps and technical plans, with no formal procurement or federal contract structure identified. Payment for related administrative fees is processed through the Fresno County Clerk’s Office, accepting cash, credit, or check, and there is no publicly listed contract value, pricing structure, or federal acquisition regulation (FAR) clauses. The primary point of contact is Jim Stilwell, Chairman of the Farmers Water District, with no designated contracting officer, contract administration representative, or institutionalized inspection and acceptance protocol beyond compliance with CEQA standards. The project’s scope excludes federal procurement mechanisms, with no solicitation number matching standard federal systems, no CAGE or UEI identifiers, and no evidence of competitive bidding, evaluation factors, or vendor contract awards. All activities are confined to the district’s existing infrastructure within the San Joaquin River corridor, with performance and delivery limited to the installation and operation of monitoring stations on district land.