News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Record of Decision On Cachuma Project

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

For Release: November 18, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation announces that the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Lower Santa Ynez River fish management plan (Plan) is available to the public. The Plan pertains to Reclamation's Cachuma Project, which is located along the Santa Ynez River in northern Santa Barbara County.

The Plan consists of various management actions and projects to improve habitat for the federally endangered Southern California steelhead and other aquatic species on the Santa Ynez River below Bradbury Dam through flow, habitat, and passage improvements. The Plan is consistent with and includes requirements of a biological opinion addressing the Southern California steelhead. The Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB) and Reclamation would implement the actions through various coordinated efforts over several years. COMB is a California joint powers agency formed by agreement of the Montecito Water District, Carpinteria Valley Water District, City of Santa Barbara, Goleta Water District, and Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District #1.

The environmental impacts of the Plan were addressed in a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) titled "Lower Santa Ynez River Fish Management Plan and Cachuma Project Biological Opinion for Southern Steelhead Trout" issued to the public on July 22, 2003, and a Final EIR/EIS dated February 2004, and announced in a Notice of Availability dated April 28, 2004. The EIR/EIS was developed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Reclamation is the NEPA lead agency, and COMB is the CEQA Lead Agency. The Final EIR/EIS is available at the COMB Web site at: www.ccrb-comb.org/ccrb_studies_eireis.htm.

For additional information, please contact Mr. David Young at Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721, phone 559-487-5127, TDD 559-487-5933, or by email at dyoung@mp.usbr.gov. The ROD is also located on Reclamation’s Web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/index.cfm. Click on South-Central California Area Office.

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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:

Lower Santa Ynez River Fish Management Plan

Record of Decision