News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Del Puerto Water District Plan to Deliver Water More Efficiently

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

For Release: August 15, 2013

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released draft environmental documents on Del Puerto Water District’s proposed changes in operations that would allow for more efficient delivery of water to portions of the district, located near Los Banos, Calif.

The district has requested approval of exchanges and additional points of diversion of
its Central Valley Project water supplies. Reclamation and the California Department of
Water Resources would approve use of State Water Project turnouts along a section of the
California Aqueduct as alternate points of diversion for up to 3,966 acre-feet per year for delivery to CVP-contracted lands within the district’s boundaries, while
exchanging a like amount of CVP water supply back to the SWP at O'Neill Forebay.

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=14661. 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 September 16, 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 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 area office.

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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.