News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Documents for the Long-term Exchange Contract and License with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District Released for Public Review

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, 10/01/2012 16:50

For Release: October 01, 2012

TRACY, Calif. — The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for a long-term exchange contract with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) that would exchange Central Valley Project water for non-CVP water for delivery to a portion of the Tracy Hills Development for municipal and industrial use.

The proposed exchange contract would provide BBID operational flexibility and serve an annual water supply of up to 4,500 acre-feet, after conveyance losses, to Tracy Hills. The water, which would be exchanged at a point in the Delta-Mendota Canal, would either be directly delivered to the city of Tracy’s water treatment plant, prior to delivery to Tracy Hills, or would be stored in San Luis Reservoir for later delivery.  

The proposed license would allow BBID to access federal land to install an aboveground pipeline on the DMC. The license would also allow BBID to maintain and operate the structure on Reclamation’s rights of way.

The Draft 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=11091. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Rain Healer at rhealer@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Healer, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA, 93721 or faxed to Healer at
559-487-5194. Comments are due by close of business Wednesday, October 31. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Healer at 559-487-5196 (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.

Relevant Link:

The Draft EA/FONSI