News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents On a Proposed Water Transfer/Exchange Program for the Arvin-Edison Water Storage and Metropolitan Water Districts

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, 11/21/2013 14:54

For Release: November 21, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation today released for public review the Draft Environmental Documents on the proposed Arvin-Edison Water Storage District and Metropolitan Water District 10-year Water Transfer/Exchange Program.

The Proposed Action has three components. Groundwater Banking: MWD stores a portion of its State Water Project supply in Central Valley Project contractor AEWSD’s groundwater banking facilities as conditions allow. When requested, the District would return previously banked SWP water to MWD.  
Regulation Program: The Proposed Action would change the place of use and would allow the District to deliver CVP water supplies to MWD and receive SWP water supplies in exchange. Fall/Winter Supplies Exchange: When surplus CVP water supply is available, the District water would be delivered to MWD to reduce the risk of spill and forfeiture of water. The proposed exchanges total up to 100,000 acre-feet per year of CVP water supplies.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact 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=15741. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Chuck Siek, Bureau of Reclamation at csiek@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Siek, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397. Comments are due by close of business Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA and or FONSI, please contact Siek at 559-487-5138 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA and 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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=15741