ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC REVIEW – TUD PROJECTS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Erik Johnson | District Engineering
Phone: 209.532.5536 Ext. 520
Email: [email protected]
Posted: September 8, 2026
Project Title: Tuolumne Utilities District Long-Term Water Service Contract
Project Description: TUD serves the agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of Tuolumne County including the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians (Tribe), a federally- recognized autonomous Native American Tribe of California. The proposed Project is the TUD Board of Directors’ consideration and approval (a discretionary action) of a long-term water service contact (LTWSC) with United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for Central Valley Project (CVP) Water from New Melones Reservoir that would allow TUD to: (1) facilitate delivery of CVP water to TUD and portions of its service area including the Chicken Ranch Tribe and growth envisioned under the Tuolumne County General Plan; and (2) increase water supply reliability in TUD’s existing service area. Under the proposed Project, TUD will be entitled to use LTWSC to divert up to 6,000 AFY of water for beneficial uses. TUD will divert and use 2,500 AFY within its existing service area, while the Tribe will have access to divert 3,500 AFY for consumptive purposes, primarily agricultural, residential, and commercial uses within its federally recognized trust boundaries. Refer to Appendix A of the IS/MND for a copy of the Draft Long-Term Water Service Contract.
Notice of Intent: The proposed Project is TUD’s discretionary approval of a Long-Term Water Service Contract with Reclamation. A CEQA Negative Declaration (ND) satisfies the requirements of CEQA (PRC Section 21000 et seq.) and the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq.). There is no substantial evidence as documented in this Initial Study/Negative Declaration that the Project, as proposed, may have significant effects on the environment. Therefore, consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15070, TUD’s Board intends to adopt a Negative Declaration and file a Notice of Determination for the Project.
Public Comment Period: Ends October 12, 2026 at 5pm
Written comments can be submitted by email to Erik Johnson ([email protected]). Please reference: TUD LTWSC in the subject line.
Or by mail to:
Tuolumne Utilities District
Attn: Erik Johnson
18885 Nugget Blvd. Sonora, CA 95370
Project Documents:
Notice of Completion
Notice of Intent to Adopt
Initial Study/Negative Declaration
Final Public Notice
Project Title: Tuolumne Utilities District TELELI Golf Course Recycled Water Project
Project Description: Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD), in conjunction with the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk, is proposing to construct and operate the proposed Project on approximately seven-acres near Jamestown, California in unincorporated Tuolumne County. The proposed TELEI Golf Course Recycled Water Pipeline Project involves construction and operation of several thousand feet of new recycled water pipeline from TUD’s existing recycled water system through existing agricultural lands, over and across Sullivan Creek, and then underground to Storage Pond 1 prior to irrigation uses on TELELI Golf Course.
Notice of Availability: In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD), has prepared an Initial Study and proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the TELELI Golf Course Recycled Water Pipeline Project (proposed Project). Based on the results of the Initial Study, TUD determined that construction and operation of proposed Project would not have significant impacts on the environment. All potentially significant impacts identified in the Initial Study would be reduced to less than significant levels with implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
The IS/MND may be accessed by viewing the project documents, below or in lobby at the Tuolumne Utilities District, 18885 Nugget Blvd, Sonora, CA 95370.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the TUD Board of Directors intends to adopt a CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration in April 2025 for the TELELI Golf Course Recycled Water Pipeline Project in accordance with the CEQA Guidelines.
The public, all interested agencies and stakeholders are invited to review the IS/MND and submit written comments, pursuant to CEQA.
Public Comment Period: February 28, 2025, to March 31, 2025.
Written comments are due by 5 PM on March 31, 2025, and may be sent via USPS or email to:
Tuolumne Utilities District
Attn. Erik Johnson, District Engineer
18885 Nugget Blvd.
Sonora, CA 95370
* via email to: [email protected]. In the subject line, please reference: TELELI Golf Course Recycled Water Project
Project Documents:
Notice of Intent
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration