News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Negotiations with Madera Irrigation District for Participation in Madera Ranch Groundwater Bank

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

For Release: July 18, 2012

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a negotiation session with Madera Irrigation District regarding the potential delivery, storage and return of federal Central Valley Project water into and out of the Madera Irrigation District’s Water Supply Enhancement Project, also known as the Madera Ranch groundwater bank.

In 2011, Madera Irrigation District officially (MID) opened the Madera Ranch facility for operation. The Madera Ranch groundwater banking facility is intended to enhance water supply reliability and flexibility by using the space underground for surface water storage (water banking), thereby reducing aquifer overdraft in Madera County and encouraging conjunctive use in the Madera County region as a means toward regional self-sufficiency.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, Section 206, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to participate in non-federal groundwater banking programs to increase the operational flexibility, reliability and efficient use of water in California, including making payments for the storage of Central Valley Project (CVP) water supplies, the purchase of stored water, the purchase of shares or an interest in groundwater banking facilities or the use of CVP water as a medium of payment for groundwater banking services.

The terms and conditions to be negotiated in an agreement between the Reclamation and MID would provide for a partnership which has the potential to increase the reliability of CVP water supply for the refuges in the San Joaquin Valley and other project purposes.

The participation agreement negotiation session will be held in:

Madera
Wed., July 25, 2012
2 p.m.
Madera Irrigation District
Conference Room
12152 Road 28-1/4

The public is welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to comment. Participation instructions and all pertinent documents will be provided at the beginning of the session. For additional information, including directions to the Madera Irrigation District office, please contact Rena Ballew, Repayment Specialist, at 559-487-5504 (TTY 800-735-2929), fax 559-487-5397, or email rballew@usbr.gov.

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