News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for an Operational Agreement with Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District and Reclamation District 108

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

For Release: September 20, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a draft Environmental Assessment for an operational agreement with the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District and Reclamation District 108 to stabilize releases from Keswick Dam over the months of October, November and December. More consistent flows would reduce the number of fall-run Chinook salmon redds susceptible to dewatering in November and December.

Reclamation proposes to operate Shasta and Keswick dams in a manner that would provide lower flows in October and higher flows in November and December than would otherwise occur. The purpose of the project is to minimize redd dewatering by shifting demand from October to November and December, to allow for more constant flow over the three-month period.

Reclamation would accomplish this by entering into one-year operational agreements with GCID and RD108 to exchange a portion of base supply in October as needed over the next three years. The exchange would occur at a rate of up to 1,000 cubic feet per second per day to Reclamation for a like volume of Central Valley Project water to be diverted in November and December of the same calendar year.

The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=14981. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, and should be sent to Alexandra Aviles, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, emailed to aaviles@usbr.gov or faxed to 916-978-5055. For additional information or to request a copy of the EA, please contact Aviles at 916-978-5056 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional 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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=14981