Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the San Luis Canal (California Aqueduct Pools 17 and 18) Liner Raise Project The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a draft Initial Study (IS) and intends to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed San Luis Canal (California Aqueduct Pools 17 and 18) Liner Raise Project (proposed project). The draft IS and proposed MND have been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act to provide agencies, the public, and interested parties an opportunity to review the environmental analysis for the proposed project. The proposed project is located at Pools 17 and 18 of the California Aqueduct in Fresno County between Aqueduct Milepost (MP) 128.4 and MP 135.6. The northernmost pool, Pool 17 at MP 128.4, is approximately 1.4 miles west of the town of Cantua Creek. The southernmost pool, Pool 18 at MP 135.6, is approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Cantua Creek. Subsidence has reduced available freeboard to 1 foot or less, thereby reducing the Aqueduct's storage and conveyance capacity. The proposed project would maintain functionality in Pools 17 and 18 to avoid future disruptions of water deliveries to the Public Water Agencies, thereby maintaining operational flexibility and improving safety and reliability. The proposed project would raise portions of the concrete liner 1 foot and 9 inches over a total length of approximately 8.9 miles on both sides of Pools 17 and 18. The IS provides an assessment of the proposed project's potential significant adverse impacts on the environment. The IS concludes the proposed project would not have any significant adverse effects on the environment after implementation of mitigation measures. The IS is being circulated for public review and comment for the period of 30 days starting November 11, 2025, and ending December 10, 2025. Written comments should be submitted and received no later than 5 PM on December 10, 2025. Submit comments via mail: California Department of Water Resources, Marea Bell, 31770 Gonzaga Road, Gustine, CA 95332, or via email at CASP@water.ca.gov. If comments are provided via email, please include the project title in the subject line and include the commenter's U.S. Postal Service mailing address. The IS will be available online at https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Engineering-And-Construction/Subsidence/CanalEmbankment and a hard copy will be made available upon request. Please contact Marea Bell at CASP@water.ca.gov or (916) 882-2945 for any questions or for distribution of a hard copy of the IS. IPL0288989 Nov 12 2025