News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Warren Act Contracts and Exchanges of Yuba Accord Water

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, 05/09/2013 15:09

For Release: May 09, 2013

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation today released draft environmental documents to enter into Warren Act contracts and exchange agreements for storage, conveyance, and/or exchange of non-Central Valley Project surface water in federal facilities for South-of-Delta CVP contractors. The proposed contracts and agreements would renew existing contracts, which end June 30, 2013.

The San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, on behalf of nine member districts, would purchase up to 80,000 acre-feet per year of supplemental water supplies from the California Department of Water Resources, made available through the 2008 Lower Yuba River Accord.

The Water Authority is requesting Warren Act contracts and exchange agreements with Reclamation to store and convey this water from O’Neill Forebay to the member districts. The contracts would be in effect for varying lengths of time between July 2013 and December 2025.

The Draft 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=13512 . If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments on the Draft EA and FONSI must be received by close of business June 8, 2013 and should be sent to  Nick Kilb, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1234 N Street Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to Kilb at 559-487-5397 or emailed to nkilb@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA and FONSI, please contact Kilb at nkilb@usbr.gov, 559-487-5044, or TTY 800-735-2929. Copies of the documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

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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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