News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Assessment Available for the Water Transfer of 500 Acre-Feet from Fresno Irrigation District and City of Fresno to County of Fresno

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 02/13/2007 15:35

For Release: February 13, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Transfer of 500 acre-feet from the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) and the City of Fresno (City) to the County of Fresno (County). 

Reclamation proposes to approve the FID transfer of up to 500 acre-feet of 2007 Class 2 Friant Division water supplies to the County beginning March 1, 2007, for municipal and industrial (M&I) purposes. Class 2 water is a supplemental supply and is delivered directly for agricultural use or for ground-water recharge, generally in areas that experience ground-water overdraft.  The transfer would be complete by February 29, 2008.  If Class 2 water is not available, the City's Class 1 supplies would be utilized instead. Class 1 contracts, which are based on a firm water supply, are generally assigned to M&I and agricultural water users who have limited access to good quality ground water.  The CVP water would be delivered from Millerton Reservoir and conveyed to County via its existing private dedicated pipeline that ties into Millerton Reservoir. 

The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available for public review and comment period.  The document is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa; select SCCAO and scroll to the Draft EA.  If you encounter problems in accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business Friday, February 23, 2007.  The EA will be finalized upon conclusion of the public review period.  For additional information or to request a copy of the draft document, please contact Ms. Patti Clinton at 559-487-5127.  Written comments may be mailed to

Ms. Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or e-mailed to pclinton@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.

Relevant Link:

Draft Environmental Assessment Available for the Water Transfer of 500 Acre-Feet from Fresno Irrigation District and City of Fresno to County of Fresno