EXHIBIT A JAMES GROUNDWATER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECT NOTICE OF PREPARATION

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2 EXHIBIT A JAMES GROUNDWATER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECT NOTICE OF PREPARATION Project Location The Project property, known locally as McAllister Ranch, is located in Kern County, California within Sections 21, 22, and 23, and a portion of Section 16, Township 30 South, Range 26 East, Mount Diablo Meridian (MDM), as shown on Exhibit B. The Project property is located on the Kern River alluvial fan and, combined with its geology, is well suited for groundwater banking operations. The general Project area is shown on Exhibit C. The Project property was formerly a planned residential development that was in the early stages of construction. Due to the downturn in the real estate market and project financing issues, development was discontinued and the property was sold in a bankruptcy proceeding. Buena Vista Water Storage District (BVWSD) and Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District (RRBWSD) jointly purchased the property in The property is located approximately fourteen miles southwesterly of downtown Bakersfield, totals approximately 2,070 acres, and includes approximately 6,265 planned residential lots (mostly unrecorded and unimproved), as well as areas that were planned for development of schools, public facilities, commercial uses, and recreational uses. The property has been disturbed and continues to be disturbed, with some areas of the site currently being used for agriculture. A portion of the Project property is still subject to potential future development. This area was a proposed residential development and golf course that comprises approximately 600 acres and is referred to as the "Option Property", as depicted on Exhibit B. Due to the compact nature of the Option Property for future urban use, it is not expected that the proposed groundwater storage and recovery project will conflict with the proposed residential and golf course use, if implemented. Project Description The following project description represents the project as currently anticipated; however, the project description is subject to revision based on the analyses conducted as part of the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The James Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project (referred to herein as the Project) includes construction and operation of shallow recharge ponds totaling approximately 1,400 acres, water conveyance facilities, and up to 14 groundwater wells and well pumping plants. Prior to final design of the Project, data will be obtained to determine feasible percolation rates for the Project. Operation of the Project includes storing water in underground aquifers during times of surplus for later recovery of up to 50,000 acre-feet per year during times of need or to assist with overdraft correction. The Project includes water conveyance to and from the Project property using available capacity in any of the canals and facilities that may be available to deliver water to the Project property, including, but not limited to, the Cross Valley Canal, Kern River, Friant-Kern Canal, California Aqueduct, Buena Vista Canal, 2,800-Acre Project, Pioneer Project, Kern Water Bank, Berrenda Mesa Project, and Kern River Canal, subject to applicable rules and regulations. The Project will be constructed, operated, and managed by BVWSD and RRBWSD; although, day-to-day operations, or portions thereof, may be contracted to other parties. It is estimated that approximately 1,400 acres of the 2,070-acre Project property will be used for direct groundwater recharge as part of the Project, and that nearby lands on the Kern River Fan within approximately three miles of the Project property, including the Option Property, may be used for in-lieu and direct recharge and NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF DRAFT EIR EXHIBIT A BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT NOP-FINAL.DOC JAMES GROUNDWATER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECT PAGE 1 of 2

3 potential recovery. It is further estimated that up to 250,000 acre-feet per year of water could be recharged during wet years. Sources of water for recharge during operation of the Project include water from the Kern River, Friant-Kern Canal, State Water Project, Central Valley Project, flood water, and possibly other sources that may be available to BVWSD or RRBWSD from time to time. Project Purpose The primary purpose of the Project is to recharge, store, and recover water to augment and improve the reliability of the water supply for landowners within BVWSD and RRBWSD. The primary water management objective of BVWSD and RRBWSD is to benefit the lands, landowners, and water users within their respective boundaries through economic and efficient storage, distribution, and use of available water supplies, while facilitating programs that protect and benefit the groundwater basin. In consideration of their objectives, BVWSD and RRBWSD propose implementation of the Project. Potential Environmental Effects of the Project Biological Resources. The Project property has been disturbed and continues to be disturbed, with some portions of the property being actively used for agriculture. Because of this existing disturbance, it is unlikely that any sensitive plant species will be present onsite or that any sensitive animal species will burrow or nest onsite. Nonetheless, in order to ensure that sensitive biological resources are addressed, the Lead Agency will retain a qualified biologist to conduct a biological resources assessment of the Project site. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Project will include a discussion of the biological resources assessment, as well as any mitigation measures needed to address potential effects upon sensitive biological resources. Archaeological/Historical Resources. According to previous archaeological/historical resources assessments conducted at the Project property, as described in the Final Environmental Impact Report for the McAllister Ranch Specific Plan, prepared by Kern County Planning and Development Services Department, dated November 15, 1993, State Clearinghouse No , there are several recorded archaeological sites located within the Project property (the property was subsequently annexed to the City of Bakersfield with the Kern County adopted Specific Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report). The DEIR for the Project will include a discussion of the groundwater storage and recovery Project's potential effects, as well as mitigation measures needed to address potential effects upon archaeological/historical resources. Groundwater Levels and Quality. As set forth in BVWSD's Groundwater Monitoring Plan (which is available at BVWSD's office for review during regular business hours), BVWSD monitors depths to groundwater quarterly and monitors groundwater quality at least annually for standard irrigation constituents and other constituents of concern. BVWSD and RRBWSD plan to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with adjoining entities, which will include provisions for addressing potential effects upon groundwater levels and quality. Additional Environmental Impacts. The Project also has the potential to result in environmental effects related to paleontological resources, erosion control, insect and vector control, and stormwater quality, and analysis of these potential effects will be included in the DEIR. Additionally, it is possible that analyses conducted during preparation of the DEIR will indicate the potential for other environmental effects that were not anticipated, and therefore not listed herein, at the time of this Notice of Preparation. NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF DRAFT EIR EXHIBIT A BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT NOP-FINAL.DOC JAMES GROUNDWATER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECT PAGE 2 of 2

4 Author: o. ogunjobi PIONEER CENTRAL 8 9 Kern River Union Pacific Railroad COB 2800 James Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project Site Map Kern River Canal 14 Date: 4/27/ PIONEER SOUTH 15 Agriculture, Petroleum Production & Open Space 13 Union Pacific Railroad Path: \\BVSVR-DC1\Company\GIS Maps\Maps Completed\McCallister Ranch Groundwater and Banking Map.mxd KERN WATER BANK Panama Ln. Petroleum Production Operations Area KERN WATER BANK S 26 E Agriculture 23 Location Map Location Map «58 Residential & Open Space «99 Groundwater Banking Operations Miles Existing Groundwater Banking Operations Option Property Proposed James Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project ± Miles

5 Date: 4/30/2012 Path: \\BVSVR-DC1\Company\GIS Maps\Maps Completed\Dans Request April 27a.mxd Author: o.ogunjobi Friant-Kern Canal Kern River CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT 0 KERN WATER BANK KERN WATER BANK Kern River CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT Location Map of James Groundwater Project Site Pioneer Projects COB 2800 Berenda Mesa James Project Site Kern Water Bank Incorporated Cities Limit ² Miles

6 Buena Vista Water Storage District James Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2012 Distribution List 1 Berrenda Mesa Water District Attn Greg Hammett Highway 33 Lost Hills, CA Buena Vista Museum of Natural History 2018 Chester Avenue 3 Buttonwillow Branch Library Attn Catherine Edgecomb, Branch Supervisor 116 Buttonwillow Drive Buttonwillow, CA California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources 4800 Stockdale Highway, Suite 417 Bakersfield, CA California Department of Fish & Game Central Region Headquarters Office Attn Dr. Jeffrey R. Single, Regional Manager 1234 East Shaw Avenue Fresno, CA x California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Historic Preservation rd Street Sacramento, CA California Department of Water Resources State Water Project Analysis Office Attn Lincoln King 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1620 Sacramento, CA California Native Plant Society 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region 1685 E Street Fresno, CA City of Bakersfield Planning Department 1715 Chester Avenue 11 City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department Attn Allen E. Tandy 1000 Buena Vista Road Bakersfield, CA County of Kern Planning and Community Development Dept Attn Lorelei H. Oviatt Public Services Building 2700 "M" Street, Suite County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building Attn Jason Giffen, Director 976 Osos Street, Room 200 San Luis Obispo, CA Henry Miller Water District Attn Joe Lutje P.O. Box 9759 Bakersfield, CA Inyo County Planning Department Attn Joshua Hart, Planning Director 168 North Edwards Street Independence, CA Kern Audubon Society 1604 Duke Drive Bakersfield, CA Reports/CEQA/ NOP Dist List Page 1 of 3

7 Buena Vista Water Storage District James Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2012 Distribution List 17 Kern Council of Governments Attn Robert R. Ball, Interim Executive Director th Street, Suite Kern County Engineering and Survey Services Floodplain Management Division 2700 M Street Kern County Library-Beale (Main Library) Attn Maria Rutledge, Head Librarian 701 Truxtun Avenue Kern County Water Agency Attn Jim Beck 3200 Rio Mirada Drive Bakersfield, CA Kern Delta Water District Attn Mark Mulkay 501 Taft Highway Bakersfield, CA Kern Water Bank Authority Attn Jonathan Parker, General Manager 1620 Mill Rock Way, Room 500 Bakersfield, CA Kings County Community Development Department Attn Greg Gatzka, Deputy Director 1400 West Lacey Boulevard Hanford, CA x Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning 320 West Temple Street, 13th Floor Los Angeles, CA McMurtrey, Hartsock & Worth Attn Robert W. Hartsock nd Street, Suite Monterey County Resource Management Agency Planning Department Attn Mike Novo, Director of Planning 168 West Alisal Street, 2nd Floor Salinas, CA Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, CA Robert A. Crewdson, Ph.D th Street, Suite Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District Attn Eric Averett 849 Allen Road Bakersfield, CA San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Attn Patricia M. Cole 385 North Arrowhead Avenue, Third Floor San Bernardino, CA Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Attn Glenn Russell, Director 123 East Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA Sierra Club-Kern Kaweah Chapter Box 3357 Bakersfield, CA Reports/CEQA/ NOP Dist List Page 2 of 3

8 Buena Vista Water Storage District James Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2012 Distribution List 33 Southern San Joaquin Valley Archaeological Information Center California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA State Clearinghouse Governor s Office of Planning and Research 1400 Tenth Street, Room 222 Sacramento, CA Tulare County Countywide Planning Division Attn Fred Brusuelas, Chief Planner 5961 South Mooney Boulevard Visalia, CA US Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606 Sacramento, CA Ventura County Planning Division Attn Kim Prillhart, Planning Director 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1740 Ventura, CA Vintage Petroleum LLC Occidental Petroleum Corporation 6851 McDivitt Drive, Suite D Bakersfield, CA West Kern Water District Attn Harry O. Starkey, General Manager 800 Kern Street Taft, CA Reports/CEQA/ NOP Dist List Page 3 of 3