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- Environmental Documents for Transfer, Exchange, Temporary Water Service Contract for Root Creek Water District Released
News Release Archive
Environmental Documents for Transfer, Exchange, Temporary Water Service Contract for Root Creek Water District Released
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916 978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov
Michael Inthavong, 559 487-5044 TTY 800 735-2929, minthavong@usbr.gov
For Release: July 06, 2011
The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact to approve a transfer, exchange, and temporary water service contract for Root Creek Water District, which would assist the district to have more reliable surface water supplies for agricultural purposes and would help alleviate its reliance on groundwater pumping. Root Creek Water District is located in Madera County, California.
Reclamation's proposed actions include issuing a permit for construction of two new turnouts on the Madera Irrigation District (MID) internal distribution system. In addition, Reclamation proposes to approve a long-term transfer up to year 2035 from MID to the Root Creek Water District (RCWD); a long-term exchange up to year 2035 with Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District; and entering into a temporary Section 215 water service contract with RCWD for Contract Year 2011 (ending February 29, 2012). Section 215 water is irrigation water that cannot be stored and must be released due to flood control criteria. If approved, the waters involved with these actions would be diverted through the newly constructed turnouts for delivery into RCWD's distribution system.
The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (Draft EA/FONSI) were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available for public review and comment. The documents are available online. 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 on Thursday, August 4, 2011, and should be sent to Michael Inthavong, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Inthavong at 559-487-5397, or e-mailed to minthavong@usbr.gov.
For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Mr. Inthavong at 559-487-5044, TTY 800-735-2929. Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office.
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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.
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