News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Documents on Three-Month Extension of Warren Act Contract and License with District

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

For Release: May 02, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for a three month extension of a 2010 Warren Act contract and license with Delta Lands Reclamation District No. 770.

Reclamation's approval of the contract and license extension (June 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011) would allow the district to redirect floodwater from the Kings, St. John's and Tule rivers into the Friant-Kern Canal, a Central Valley Project facility.

The district needs the Warren Act contract to protect agricultural lands and public improvements in the Tulare Lakebed from floodwaters. The district needs the license to store, operate and maintain pumping facilities on federal lands owned by Reclamation along the Friant-Kern Canal. The proposed three-month license extension will allow the existing infrastructure to remain in place, allow insertion of pumps, and provide equipment maintenance.

The Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment/Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (Draft SEA/FONSI) were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=5596. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please send written comments to Rain Healer, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721, by May 13, 2011. Comments may also be faxed to Ms. Healer at 559-487-5194, or e-mailed to rhealer@usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft SEA/FONSI, please contact Ms. Healer at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft SEA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office at above address. ###

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.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:

Draft SEA/FONSI