News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Long-Term Warren Act Contract with Cawelo Water District

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: December 06, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (Draft EA/FONSI) regarding the execution of a long-term Warren Act contract with Cawelo Water District. The Warren Act of 1911 authorized the Secretary of the Interior to enter into Warren Act contracts to store and/or convey non-Central Valley Project water in the excess capacity of federal facilities.

Under the proposal, a Warren Act contract would be executed to convey up to 20,000 acre-feet of previously banked non-Central Valley Project water through the Friant-Kern Canal from Cawelo Water District for delivery via exchange by Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 7. In addition, Reclamation would issue a license to Cawelo Water District to pump groundwater across Reclamation's right-of-way and into the Friant-Kern Canal at various locations.

The Draft EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=6776. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Monday, January 3, 2011, and should be sent to Patti Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to Ms. Clinton at 559-487-5194 or e-mailed to pclinton@usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Ms. Clinton at 559-487-5127, TTY 800-735-2922. Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno 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.