News Release Archive

Draft EA Available for the Vista Verde 5-Year Transfer of Settlement Contract Water to Lands in Westlands Water District

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 07/11/2007 22:15

For Release: July 11, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) titled Vista Verde 5-Year Transfer of Settlement Contract Water to Vista Verde-Owned Lands in Westlands Water District (Westlands).

Reclamation proposes to approve a series of temporary annual water transfers. Vista Verde Farms (Vista Verde) would transfer up to 1,140 acre-feet per year of their Settlement Contract water for the next 5 years, beginning in 2007. Vista Verde would transfer Settlement Contract water from their lands adjacent to the Westlands' northeastern boundary to property farmed by Vista Verde or its affiliates located entirely within Westlands. The transfer is needed because of chronic water shortages that have occurred and are expected to continue to occur in Westlands.

The purpose of the proposed transfer is for Vista Verde to transfer its Settlement Contract water from its property adjacent to the Westlands northeastern boundary to property located within Westlands farmed by Vista Verde or its affiliates. The transfer of this Settlement Contract water would reduce the need for supplemental groundwater pumping in Westlands. The Draft EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available for a 10-day public review and comment period. The Draft EA will be finalized upon conclusion of the public review period. The document is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2769. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

Comments are due to Ms. Laura Myers at Reclamations Fresno office by close of business Friday, July 20, 2007. To request a copy of the draft documents, please contact Ms. Myers at 559-487-5179 or e-mail lmyers@mp.usbr.gov, or by mail at Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno CA 93721. Comments may be sent by mail or e-mail to the above addresses.

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Relevant Link:

Draft EA