News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft EA/FONSI for the 2010 Renewal of Cross Valley Interim Water Service Contracts and Delta/San Felipe Division Contracts

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: January 27, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the execution of the following nine interim renewal contracts:  Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Westlands Water District (District #1), Santa Clara Valley Water District (three-way assignment); County of Fresno; Hills Valley Irrigation District; Kern-Tulare Water District; Lower Tule River Irrigation District; Pixley Irrigation District; Rag Gulch Water District (Kern Tulare Water District and Rag Gulch Water District have consolidated their two districts into one district through a contract assignment under Kern-Tulare Water District's name); Tri-Valley Water District; and County of Tulare.

Interim renewal contracts are undertaken under the authority of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) to provide a "bridge" between the expiration of the original long-term water service contracts and long-term renewal of those contracts.  The CVPIA allows for the repeated execution of 2-year interim renewal contracts until the long-term renewal contracts are executed. 

The Draft EA/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=4929. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. 

Please send written comments to Ms. Patti Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721, by Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Comments may also be faxed to Ms. Clinton at 559-487-5127, or e-mailed to pclinton@usbr.gov.  For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Ms. Clinton at 559-487-5127 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office at the above address.

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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.