News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Continuing Transfers of Water between Properties Owned by Vista Verde Farms within Westlands Water District

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: June 28, 2012

FRESNO, Calif. —The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft environmental documents for continuation of annual transfers of settlement contract water between properties owned by Vista Verde Farms within Westlands Water District.

Reclamation proposes to approve a series of annual temporary water transfers during each of the next nine years (2012-2020). Up to 1,140 acre-feet per year would be transferred from property owned by Vista Verde Farms, south of the city of Mendota in Fresno County, California, to nearby property owned by the company. This action would allow a continuation of transfers to existing crops, which has occurred in most years since 2000.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/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=10030. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Mr. Lawrence at Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed at 559-487-5397. Comments are due by close of business Wednesday, July 11, 2012.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Mr. Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI 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.