News Release Archive

Draft EA/FONSI Available for Temporary Water Acquisition at East Bear Creek Refuge Unit for Water Years 2008-2010

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

For Release: December 13, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)/Initial Study (IS), Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Draft Negative Declaration for a 3-year water acquisition project entitled Temporary Water Acquisition for the East Bear Creek Refuge Unit for Water Years 2008-2010.The Draft EA and FONSI are available for a 20-day comment period, while the Draft IS and Draft Negative Declaration are available for a 30-day comment period.

Under the proposed action, Reclamation would purchase up to approximately 8,863 acre-feet of water per year (through February 28, 2011) from the Stevinson Water District to meet refuge water needs at the East Bear Creek Unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlifes San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  In addition, 100 acre-feet of water would be used for testing the newly constructed East Bear Creek pumping plant in the early spring of 2008 (Water Year 2007). 

The Draft EA/IS, Draft FONSI and Draft Negative Declaration were developed under the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.  They are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2546 .  If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.
To request a copy of the documents or for additional information, please contact Mr. Brad Hubbard at
916-978-5204 or   e-mail bhubbard@mp.usbr.gov.

Written comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI are due by close of business Friday, January 4, 2008.  Written comments on the Draft IS and Draft Negative Declaration are also due by close of business Monday, January 14, 2008.  Comments should be sent to Mr. Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-410, Sacramento, CA 95825, e-mailed to bhubbard@mp.usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5290.

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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 EA/FONSI Available