News Release Archive

Record of Decision Rescheduled for the San Luis Drainage Feature Re-evaluation Environmental Impact Statement

Media Contact: Jeffrey S. McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: August 01, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation and the parties involved in a lawsuit to provide drainage to the San Luis Unit have agreed to reschedule completion of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the San Luis Drainage Feature Re-evaluation Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

In February 2000, the Ninth Circuit Court affirmed a District Court finding that the Secretary of the Interior is required under section 1(a) of the San Luis Act to provide drainage to the San Luis Unit (Firebaugh Canal Company v. USA, Case No. 95-15300).

The District Court subsequently ordered Reclamation to provide drainage to the San Luis Unit. Reclamation prepared an amended Plan of Action outlining a schedule to complete a reevaluation of drainage service alternatives in an EIS and issue a ROD by July 2006.

The parties to the lawsuit recently filed a Joint Status Report in which they advised the Court that postponing issuance of the ROD was in the interest of promoting further progress regarding anticipated settlement discussions.

For additional information please contact Mr. Mike Delamore, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, Fresno, at 559-487-5039, TDD 559-487-5933.

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