News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases the Draft EA/FONSI for the 2009-2010 Water Exchange Program between Arvin-Edison Water Storage District and Metropolitan Water District

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 06/23/2009 14:13

For Release: June 23, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation has made available for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) analyzing the impacts of approving the exchange of Central Valley Project (CVP) water between Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (AEWSD) and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) from June 1, 2009, through October 31, 2010.  The approval would allow the exchange of equal amounts of CVP water up to 40,000 acre feet per year for a total of 80,000 acre feet.  The delivery of CVP water to MWD, in lieu of previously banked State Water Project water, would provide operational flexibility and save AEWSD and MWD energy and costs associated with pumping and returning groundwater.  In addition, it would save AEWSD the costs associated with operating recharge basins while extracting groundwater, and allow MWD greater access to water supplies to meet summer peak demands.

The Draft EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=3960.  If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail lwirth@usbr.gov.

Please send written comments to Ms. Judi Tapia, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721, by Monday, June 29, 2009.  Comments may also be faxed to Ms. Tapia at 559-487-5397, or e-mailed to jtapia@usbr.gov.  For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA and FONSI, please contact Ms. Tapia at 559-487-5138, TDD 559-487-5933.  Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. 

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