Staff and project consultants told the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority on Oct. 8 that pipeline design work is progressing and that major design submittals and environmental steps are expected before the end of the year.

Stetson consultant Steve described several outstanding design deliverables from design consultant Provost & Pritchard, including 30% submittals for system hydraulics, transient mitigation, and a draft mechanical pump selection. He said the project team expects 90% and 100% design submittals later this year and that right-of-way maps and legal descriptions for required property interests should be completed by calendar year-end.

“We need a refined system hydraulics and transient mitigation analysis,” Steve said, describing the 30% technical memoranda that have been requested. He also said the environmental team will prepare a draft environmental assessment that the board will be asked to authorize for a 45-day public comment period, followed by a final environmental assessment.

Bianca, representing Blue Mountain (program management), said Blue Mountain has already held kickoff meetings, begun reviewing schedules and costs, and plans to produce a master schedule and risk register that will identify technical, environmental, regulatory and fiscal risks.

Michael McKinney of the authority's federal affairs team said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will review planning and environmental documents before taking over construction oversight. McKinney said the Corps does not have dedicated funding to perform that review and the authority is pursuing a Planning Assistance to States award to fund the Corps’ review; the federal government shutdown complicates that work.

“We will seek a fiscal year 2027 appropriation that will provide funding to do the initial construction,” McKinney said, describing a planned “forced project start” appropriation in the Energy and Water Development Act and a target to coordinate a first-year Corps budget in early 2027.

Consultants noted design issues still to be resolved, including electric service and potential solar alternatives to address Edison power-supply concerns, corrosion design for pipeline materials, and scour and flood risk at low-lying alignments. The team said scour analysis and right-of-way coordination with Kern County roads are already under way following recent heavy rains.

No formal action was taken; the session was an informational update and staff will return with schedules, permitting needs and environmental review documents for board authorization when appropriate.