News Release Archive

Three Central Valley Project Long-Term Water Service Contracts Available for Public Review and Comment

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

For Release: December 03, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation has completed negotiations with three of its Central Valley Project (CVP) Contractors for renewal of their long-term water service contracts. In addition to the City of Avenal and the Contra Costa Water District, the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and Westlands Water District Distribution District No. 1 currently share the water represented by the third contract. These contracts represent approximately 205,000 acre-feet of CVP water. The contracts were negotiated and completed under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and are available for a 60-day public review and comment period.

Significant terms of the contracts include: an initial 40-year term for the two contractors which receive water for municipal and industrial purposes only and an initial 25-year term for the irrigation contract shared by the three entities; tiered pricing of water delivered under the contracts; opportunities for the contractors to engage in water management activities such as transfers, water banking, and ground-water recharge; project water measurement; and, communication, cooperation, and coordination between the parties to improve management and operation of the CVP.

The proposed contracts are available on-line at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on 2004 Forms of Contract and scroll to the desired contract. Written comments must be received by close of business on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, and should be sent to: Mr. Richard Stevenson, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-440, Sacramento CA 95825. Comments may also be e-mailed to rstevenson@mp.usbr.gov or faxed to 916-978-5292.

To request copies of the forms of contract, contact Ms. Nancy Anderson at 916-978-5254, TDD 916-978-5608. Negotiations continue for the renewal of the remaining CVP long-term water service contracts. Additional information on the contract renewal process can be accessed online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

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Relevant Link:

Central Valley Project (CVP) Contractors for Renewal of Their Long-term Water Service Contracts