News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Environmental Documents on Proposed Yuma County 8th Street Realignment Project

Media Contact: Christopher Wallis, (928) 343-8215, cwallis@usbr.gov

For Release: January 25, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation's Yuma Area Office announced today that it has issued for public review and comment an Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed Yuma County 8th Street Realignment and Paving project.

The Yuma County Department of Development Services (YCDDS) is proposing to realign and pave County 8th Street from Mohawk Valley Road to approximately Avenue 36 ¾ E in Yuma County, Arizona. The purpose of this project is to increase the safety of vehicular traffic traveling along this stretch of County 8th Street. YCDDS considers the roadway unsafe because of two sharp curves and the gravel-based covering.

Reclamation proposes to issue a License (right-of-use) to YCDDS to improve and maintain the county road. Since the project will be on Reclamation lands, it is subject to review and documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The EA describes the existing affected environment and anticipated environmental impacts. Based upon the EA, Reclamation has made a preliminary determination that use of Reclamation land for the County 8th Street project will not result in significant impacts, that a FONSI is appropriate, and an environmental impact statement does not need to be prepared. Copies of the EA and draft FONSI are available for public review online at: http://www.usbr.gov/lc/yuma/environmental_docs/environ_docs.html.

Comments on these documents will be accepted until February 25. Comments should be mailed to Mr. Julian DeSantiago, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, 7301 Calle Agua Salada, Yuma, AZ 85364. They can also be submitted to Mr. DeSantiago by e-mail, at: jdesantiago@usbr.gov

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