News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for the Construction of New Wells in San Joaquin Valley

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100 TTY 916- 978-5608 , plucero@usbr.gov
Shelly Hatleberg, 916-978-5290, shatleberg@usbr.gov

For Release: June 17, 2010

Region 3 NEPA Docs

The Bureau of Reclamation has released three Draft Environmental Assessments and Draft Findings of No Significant Impact for the proposed construction of new wells in the San Joaquin Valley.

Reclamation would provide funding under Title IV of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for the construction of new wells in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and Fresno counties.  The new wells, located in three regions, will supplement water districts' supplies in years when surface water allocation is constrained.

The Draft Environmental Assessments and Draft Findings of No Significant Impact (EA/ FONSI) were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available for public review and comments.

Region 1:

Reclamation would provide funding for the construction of up to 32 new wells in the Upper Delta-Mendota Canal area of the Central Valley Project (CVP).  The proposed action is to construct one new well within the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, up to 10 new wells within the West Stanislaus Irrigation District, and up to 21 new wells within the Del Puerto Water District.  The associated documents are available online.

Region 2:

Reclamation would provide funding for the construction of up to four new wells within the San Luis Water District area of the CVP.  The associated documents are available online.

Region 3:

Reclamation would provide funding for up to seven new wells within three water districts on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.  The proposed action would include constructing up to two new wells within the Tranquility Irrigation District, one new well within the Fresno Slough Water District, and up to four new wells within the James Irrigation District.  The associated documents are available online.

If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mpPublicAffairs@usbr.gov.

Please send written comments to Shelly Hatleberg, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, Calif., 95825, by close of business on June 30, 2010.  Comments may also be faxed to Hatleberg at 916-978-5290 or e-mailed to shatleberg@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA and/or FONSI, please contact Hatleberg at 916-978-5050. Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Sacramento 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.

Relevant Link:

Region 1 NEPA Docs

Region 2 NEPA Docs