- Reclamation
- News & Multimedia
- News Releases
- News Release Archive
- Draft EA Available for North Kern Water Storage District for Temporary Bridge Crossing of the Friant-Kern Canal
News Release Archive
Draft EA Available for North Kern Water Storage District for Temporary Bridge Crossing of the Friant-Kern Canal
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 06/02/2008 16:54
For Release: June 02, 2008
The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that would issue a permit to the North Kern Water Storage District (District) to build temporary bridge crossings over the Friant-Kern Canal (Canal) at Shellabarger Road.
Reclamation proposes to issue a Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands Permit to the District for the construction of two one-way temporary bridges over the Canal located on Reclamation land at the terminus of Shellabarger Road in Bakersfield, California. The Canal is operated and maintained by the Friant Water Authority (Authority).
The proposed permit would facilitate access to two construction projects that are being considered, including a District project to construct a new canal to connect the Cross Valley Canal to their existing Calloway Canal. The other is a project by Big West, a refinery adjacent to the Canal, to construct additional processing units within the refinery's property boundary just east of the District's proposed new canal. The temporary bridges are needed to create an alternate route for workers and construction vehicles to enter construction sites without overburdening the main roadways during construction.
The proposed permit also facilitates installation of two 100-foot long Bailey Bridges with concrete abutments, access ramps and all-weather paving on each side, and installation of a security building with two vehicle access/control gates. Modifications will also be made to the existing chain link fencing and gates to allow unimpeded Authority and other water agencies' maintenance and operations activities including access by large cranes. Creation of a turn-around area for vehicles and installation of two 42-inch diameter pipes, one on each side of the canal under the bridges, will also be performed.
The Draft EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available for a 15-day public review and comment period. The document is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=3200. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.
Comments are due to Ms. Judi Tapia by close of business Tuesday, June 17, 2008. To request a copy of the draft document or to submit comments, contact Ms. Tapia at 559-487-5138, e-mail jtapia@mp.usbr.gov, or send mail to 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
# # #
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:
