News Release Archive

Initial Economics Evaluation Report Available for Los Vaqueros Expansion Investigation

Media Contact: Jeffrey S. McCracken, 916.978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: August 25, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has made available the Initial Economics Evaluation for Plan Formulation report for the Los Vaqueros Expansion (LVE) Investigation. The purpose of the initial economic evaluation is to provide information and study progress focusing on the two key areas of economics and plan formulation to evaluate the potential of a Federal interest in participating in a Feasibility Study.

To establish Federal interest, projects must be evaluated from a national perspective consistent with Reclamations mission, to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public, and must meet the Federal objective of contributing to national economic development. Satisfying both requirements results in a determination of Federal interest in the project.

The report identifies potential project benefits and describes methods available to estimate their monetary value. For the purpose of the initial economic evaluation, a single alternative was selected for analysis; project benefits and costs for this alternative were then estimated and compared. A focus of the report is on economics related to one of the LVEs primary objectives, to provide a less costly water supply for a long-term Environmental Water Account (EWA).

The initial economic analysis indicates that feasibility-level studies for the investigation should continue, progressing toward the identification of a plan to be recommended for implementation in a feasibility report/ environmental review. Federal interest appears to exist in having LVE for the development of EWA replacement supplies.

The report is available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros/docs/index.html. For additional information or to request a copy of the report, please contact Ms. Sammie Cervantes, at 916-978-5189, TDD 916-978-5608, or scervantes@mp.usbr.gov .

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Relevant Link:

Initial Economics Evaluation for Plan Formulation Report