News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Continuation of Riparian Brush Rabbit Controlled Propagation, Reintroduction and Monitoring

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

For Release: April 12, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation today released final environmental documents for continuation of controlled propagation, reintroduction and monitoring of riparian brush rabbits on the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent lands through 2013.

Reclamation is providing $390,673 from the Central Valley Project Conservation Program to the California State University Stanislaus Endangered Species Recovery Program for continuation of the project. The rabbits and their habitats have been impacted by Reclamation’s Central Valley Project, and recovery of the rabbit population is in keeping with the goals of the CVPCP. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have listed the rabbits as endangered.

Since 2002, the endangered rabbits have been bred in captivity and have been reintroduced to historical habitat on the SJRNWR and other areas. This has been accomplished with financial support from Reclamation, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, USFWS, the CalFed Bay-Delta Program, and private landowners and individuals.

The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=11810. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Doug Kleinsmith at 916-978-5034 or email dkleinsmith@usbr.gov.

# # #

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:

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact