News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Assessment For a Proposed Boundary Adjustment Released

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Ron Eggers, reggers@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 14, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a draft environmental assessment for a proposed boundary adjustment to include about 3,303 acres within the Stanfield Irrigation District in Umatilla Project, Ore.

The draft EA examines the impacts of allowing the district to send a portion of their Columbia River exchange water to about 3,178 acres currently being irrigated through private water sources.

The draft EA describes and analyzes the impacts of two alternatives, the no action alternative and the proposed alternative to include a portion of some lands designated the 1965 Floodlands. Under the no action alternative, the district would continue to utilize its full allotment of Columbia River exchange water, estimated to be about 34,700 acre-feet, to lands inside the current federally recognized irrigation district boundaries.

Under the proposed alternative, a portion not to exceed 1 acre-foot per acre of Columbia River exchange water would be sent to 3,178 acres in exchange for the voluntary restriction by the private landowners to reduce usage of their groundwater wells.

The draft EA has been prepared to document environmental review and evaluation in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The draft EA is available for viewing on the Internet at http://www.usbr.gov/pn. Printed copies are available for public review at libraries in Hermiston, Pendleton, and Stanfield, Ore., and Reclamation offices in Hermiston and Portland, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. Written public comments must be received no later than May 12.

Any questions can be directed to Mr. John Tiedeman, PN-6304, Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234, telephone (208) 378 5034 or by fax to (208) 378-5102.

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