News Release Archive

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

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, 06/25/2013 16:13

For Release: June 25, 2013

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation today released final 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 project involves the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, on behalf of nine member districts, purchasing up to 80,000 acre-feet per year of supplemental water supplies from California Department of Water Resources, made available through the 2008 Lower Yuba River Accord.

Reclamation would enter into Warren Act contracts and exchange agreements with the districts to store and convey this water to them from O’Neill Forebay. 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 released for public comment from May 9, 2013 to June 10, 2013. No comments were received.

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

For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA and FONSI, please contact Nick 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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=13512