News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Transfer of Up to 15,000 Acre-Feet from Merced Irrigation District to Westlands Water District and San Luis Water District

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

For Release: August 13, 2013

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft environmental documents for a Warren Act contract for transfer of up to 15,000 acre-feet of water from Merced Irrigation District to Westlands Water District and/or San Luis Water District.

Reclamation proposes to approve a Warren Act Contract for the delivery, in the water year ending February 28, 2014, of up to 15,000 acre-feet of Merced Irrigation District’s non-federal water to Westlands Water District and/or San Luis Water District. The water would be released from storage in Lake McClure/New Exchequer Dam and conveyed in the San Joaquin River to Westlands and/or San Luis Water District by way of Patterson Irrigation District.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (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=14601. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397. Comments are due by August 27, 2013. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (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.