News Release Archive

Environmental Documents Available for Renewal of 20 Delta-Mendota Canal Unit CVP Long-Term Water Service Contracts

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

For Release: November 15, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed long-term Central Valley Project (CVP) water service contracts between Reclamation and the 20 Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC) Unit Contractors (listed below). The proposed contracts are for the delivery of up to 588,503 acre-feet of CVP water per year. Reclamation proposes to renew municipal and industrial (M&I) water service contracts for a period of 40 years and agricultural only or agriculture and M&I water service contracts for a period of 25 years.

The Draft EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available for a 30-day public review and comment period. The documents are available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html click on Draft EAs/FONSIs and scroll to Delta-Mendota Canal Unit Draft EA and FONSI. The draft documents can also be reviewed at Reclamation’s Fresno Office at the address indicated below.

Sixty-day public review and comment periods have been initiated for the DMC contracts. The forms of contract are online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on 2004 Forms of Contract.

Written comments on the Draft EA/FONSI must be received by close of business on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, and should be sent to: Mr. Joe Thompson, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may be faxed to 559-487-5397 or e-mailed to jthompson@mp.usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the draft documents, contact Mr. Thompson at 559-487-5179, TDD 559-487-5933. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

The water service Contractors that are covered under this Draft EA/FONSI are: Banta-Carbona Irrigation District, Broadview Water District, Centinella Water District, City of Tracy, Coehlo Family Trust, Del Puerto Water District, Eagle Field Water District, Fresno Slough Water District, James Irrigation District, Laguna Water District, Mercy Springs Water District, Oro Loma Water District, Patterson Water District, Plain View Water District (aka Byron Bethany), Reclamation District 1606, The West Side Irrigation District, Tranquillity Irrigation District, Tranquillity Public Utilities District, West Stanislaus Water District, Widren Water District.

# # #

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:

Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)