News Release Archive

Comment Period Extended on Draft EA/IS for 25-Year Water Transfer Project for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority

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

For Release: August 06, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors) released a Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study (EA/IS) for a 25-year water transfer project for a 30-day public review period on July 6, 2007.  In response to requests, Reclamation is extending the public comment period on the document for 14-days from August 6, 2007, to August 20, 2007.

The Draft EA/IS evaluates the transfer of up to 20,000 acre-feet of substitute water from the Exchange Contractors to other Central Valley Project contractors.  The water would consist of a maximum of 15,000 acre-feet of developed water from ground-water pumping and a maximum of 20,000 acre-feet from a combination of conservation measures, including temporary land fallowing and ground-water pumping.  Reclamation would approve and execute short-term or long-term temporary water transfers or agreements.

The Draft EA/IS was developed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.  The Draft EA/IS is available on Reclamations website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2771.  If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.     

To request a paper copy or CD of the Draft EA/IS, please contact Ms. Joann Toscano, Exchange Contractors, at 209-827-8616.  Written comments on the Draft EA/IS should be received by close of business Monday, August 20, 2007, and should be sent to Mr. Bob Eckart, Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Eckart at
916-978-5055 or e-mailed to reckart@mp.usbr.gov. For further information, please contact Mr. Eckart at 916-978-5051.

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Relevant Link:

Comment Period Extended on Draft EA/IS for 25-Year Water Transfer Project for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority