News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Assessment on Sunnyside Division Water Conservation Project

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Dave Kaumheimer, dkaumheimer@usbr.gov

For Release: February 22, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Sunnyside Division RRM Water Conservation Project near Grandview, Wash.

RRM is the Rocky Ford, Ryder, and Matheson lateral canal system that covers approximately 51 miles and delivers water to about 11,300 acres.

The Draft EA analyzed one action alternative which involves converting the RRM lateral canals to an enclosed piped system with in-line flow meters. The new piping system will improve on-farm control of irrigation water, reduce lateral canal water losses, improve water quality, reduce maintenance costs, and improve instream flows for fish in the Yakima River.

The majority of this work will be done from April 2010 through September 2011.

This is one of the projects proposed by the Sunnyside Division Board of Control (SDBOC) under their 1998 Water Conservation Plan. Construction is being funded with $21.4 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Draft EA can be located on Reclamation's website at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/wash/svid-rrm/index.html

Written comments on the draft environmental assessment will be accepted through March 19. Send comments to: Dave Kaumheimer, Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Cascades Area Office, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima WA 98901. Email at DKaumheimer@usbr.gov or FAX (509) 454-5611.

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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:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/wash/svid-rrm/index.html