News Release Archive

Reclamation, CA Dept. of Water Resources, National Weather Service Assess New Sites for Flood, Water Operations

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 02/01/2011 17:40
Ted Thomas, 916-653-9712, thomas@water.ca.gov

For Release: February 01, 2011

Non-interactive Graphics - Agency logos

Mid-Pacific Region
Sacramento, CA

MP-11-010

Media Contacts:
 - Pete Lucero Reclamation 916-978-5100
 - Ted Thomas DWR 916-653-9712
 - Matt Ocana National Weather Service 801-524-5692

Reclamation, CA Department of Water Resources and National Weather Service Assess New Sites for Flood, Water Operations

The Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have scheduled public scoping meetings on the proposed relocation of the Joint Operations Center (JOC) in Sacramento County.  

To better coordinate California water and flood operations, the three agencies plan to relocate the JOC by 2015 from the existing facility on El Camino Avenue near Watt Avenue in Sacramento to a new site.

The proposed relocation would improve communications and coordination during emergencies, such as floods and droughts, and would accommodate approximately 500 employees.  The new facility would house control centers for the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project, a flood operations center, backup power supplies, primary and backup communication systems, complex computer infrastructure, and physical and cyber security systems, and would meet state essential service criteria.  The current facility was adapted from a former retail store property and does not meet state essential service criteria.

The public and media are invited to attend either of two scoping meetings to be held:

  • When: Thursday, February 3, 2011, afternoon session 2-4 p.m., or evening session 6:30-8:30 p.m.

  • Where: Sacramento State Aquatics Center, 1901 Hazel Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95670

The scoping sessions will have an open house format with employees available to answer questions.  Staff will present an introduction to the project at 2:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

Two locations are being considered for a new JOC: a site owned by Reclamation adjacent to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and a commercial site on Kilgore Road near Sunrise Boulevard. 

An Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) will be prepared describing any potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed project.  For more information see the project Web site at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/joc.html.

Written or oral comments on the proposed content and scope of the EIS/EIR or on alternatives to be considered may be provided at the public scoping meetings. Written comments may be provided directly to Reclamation or DWR at:

California Department of Water Resources
Division of Management Services
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 942836
Attention: John Engstrom
Telephone: 916-651-8745
Fax: 916-653-6476
E-mail: engstrom@water.ca.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Division of Environmental Affairs
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Attention: Elizabeth Vasquez
Telephone: 916- 978-5040
Fax: 916-978-5055
E-mail: evasquez@usbr.gov

Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

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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.