News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Supplying Water to Wetlands Habitat

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100 TTY 916-978-5608 , plucero@usbr.gov
Shelly Hatleberg , 916-978-5050 FAX 916-978-5290, shatleberg@usbr.gov

For Release: August 19, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a temporary contract with the Willow Creek Mutual Water Company to supply water for wetlands in certain conservation lands near Princeton in the Sacramento Valley.

Reclamation's proposed action would provide the company up to 3,000 acre-feet per year of Incremental Level 4 Water to enhance migratory waterfowl habitat.  (Incremental Level 4 Water is supplemental water to meet optimal refuge requirements, purchased from willing sellers.)  The water also would maintain wetlands linking the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and the Colusa Basin Drain, a migration corridor for the giant garter snake.

The proposed action is being undertaken pursuant to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), which authorizes new water supply contracts for fish and wildlife.  Although the contract would be for three years, the Interagency Refuge Water Management Team would have the opportunity annually to assess whether the water could be applied to a CVPIA wildlife refuge.  If the water is not needed or cannot be delivered to one of those refuges, the water would be provided to the company for use on conservation easement lands approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were developed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online.   If you have problems accessing documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TDD 916-978-5608) or e-mail mpPublicAffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information, please contact Shelly Hatleberg at 916-978-5050 or e-mail shatleberg@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.

Relevant Link:

NEPA Document Link