REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 21, 2026
FROM
Beahta R. Davis, Director, Regional Parks Department
SUBJECT
Title
Mojave Basin Area Watermaster Payment
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve the Payment for Replacement Water Assessment to the Mojave Basin Area Watermaster for the Mojave Narrows Regional Park in the amount of $565 per acre-foot for 649 acre-feet of water for the water year ending September 30, 2025, in the amount not to exceed $366,685.
(Presenter: Beahta R. Davis, Director, 387-2340)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendation will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Regional Parks Department (Department) 2025-26 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 1966, groundwater rights in the Mojave Basin Area were adjudicated through a judgment in the City of Barstow et al. v. City of Adelanto et al. (Riverside County Superior Court Case No. 208568). Under the judgment, the County has a Free Production Allowance (FPA) to pump 1,062 acre-feet of water every year from the Mojave Basin for use at Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
On February 26, 2026, the Department received an invoice from the Mojave Basin Area Watermaster (Watermaster) confirming a water replacement obligation cost that the County incurred of 679 acre-feet over the 1,062 acre-feet FPA during the 2024-25 water year. The Department is requesting $366,685 to pay for the water obligation cost to the Watermaster.
This item aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goal and objective of operating in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner by allowing the Department to have enough water and to pay for services and equipment to provide for a positive customer experience.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 19, 2026; County Finance and Administration (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on March 19, 2026.