News Release Archive

Reclamation to Continue Negotiations to Transfer Operation and Maintenance of the Madera Canal

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

For Release: October 24, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation will reinitiate negotiations with the Madera-Chowchilla Water & Power Authority (Authority) to transfer the operation and maintenance (O&M) and certain funding responsibilities for the Madera Canal and associated works to the Authority. These Central Valley Project (CVP) facilities are used to deliver CVP water to water service contractors, namely, the Madera Irrigation District and the Chowchilla Water District. The proposed transfer is a continuation of Reclamation's on-going efforts to allow local conveyance contractors to operate and maintain specified CVP facilities and assume responsibility for self-funding certain O&M activities.

The next negotiation session will be held:

In Fresno
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office
Large Conference Room
1243 N Street

A general form of agreement that provides the details of the proposed O&M transfer and self-funding responsibilities is being developed and will be available at the negotiation session.

For more information or to request a copy of the agreement, please contact Ms. Barbara Hidelburg, South-Central California Area Office, at 559-487-5063 (TDD 559-487-5933) or e-mail bhidleburg@mp.usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.