- Reclamation
- News & Multimedia
- News Releases
- News Release Archive
- Reclamation Releases Final EIS/EIR for Continuation of the Grassland Bypass Project Use Agreement
News Release Archive
Reclamation Releases Final EIS/EIR for Continuation of the Grassland Bypass Project Use Agreement
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 09/29/2009 20:22
For Release: September 29, 2009
The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the Grassland Bypass Project Use Agreement, 2010-2019. The Final EIS/EIR describes the potential environmental impacts resulting from implementing a new Use Agreement for the Grassland Bypass Project. The Agreement allows for continued use of the San Luis Drain from 2010 through 2019 for discharge of agricultural drainwater into Mud Slough (North) in Merced County, California.
New project features include an updated compliance monitoring plan, revised selenium and salinity load limits, an enhanced incentive performance fee system, a new Waste Discharge Requirement from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and mitigation for continued discharge to Mud Slough. In-Valley treatment/drainage reuse at the San Joaquin River Water Quality Improvement Project would be expanded from approximately 4,000 to 6,900 acres.
The Final EIS/EIR was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act and is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=3513. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100, or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.
Copies of the Final EIS/EIR may be requested from Ms. Shauna McDonald, Reclamation, at 559-487-5202, TDD 559-487-5933, or smcdonald@usbr.gov, or from Mr. Joseph McGahan, SLDMWA, at 559-582-9237 or jmcgahan@summerseng.com. The document may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office, 1243 N Street, California, or at SLDMWA's office, 842 Sixth Street, Los Banos, California.
The following link takes you to a list of libraries where the environmental documents can be reviewed:
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/PA/images/grassland_bypass_libraries.pdf
After the Final EIS/EIR 30-day circulation, Reclamation will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the decision and identify and discuss relevant factors considered in its development.
# # #
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:
