News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Environmental Documents on Proposed City of Yuma Land Conveyance Project

Media Contact: Doug Hendrix , (928)-343-8145, 05/21/2010 22:47

For Release: May 21, 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 City of Yuma Land Conveyance project.

The City of Yuma is exploring methods to improve tourism and revitalize its historic downtown area, and Reclamation lands near the proposed Yuma Welcome Center can provide parking near the City's historic downtown. To assist in this revitalization effort, the City and Reclamation plan to exchange parcels of land to help consolidate the scattered lots owned by each entity. Since the project will affect Reclamation lands, it is subject to review and documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The EA describes the anticipated environmental impacts in the affected area. Based upon the EA, Reclamation has made a preliminary determination that the conveyance of lands between Reclamation and the City 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 June 23rd, 2010. Comments should be mailed to Mr. Nick Heatwole, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, 7301 Calle Agua Salada, Yuma, AZ 85364. They can also be submitted to Mr. Heatwole by e-mail, at: nheatwole@usbr.gov.

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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.