News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for Acquiring up to 9,000 Acre-Feet of Water from Merced Irrigation District

Media Contact: Pedro Lucero, 916-978-5100, 11/27/2013 13:58

For Release: November 27, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation today released for public review a draft environmental assessment analyzing the impacts of acquiring up to 9,000 acre-feet of water from the Merced Irrigation District during December 2013 through February 2014.

This water would be made available by changing the point of diversion from the MID Main Canal on the Merced River to the Patterson Irrigation District facilities on the San Joaquin River for conveyance to the Delta-Mendota Canal. Water transferred to Reclamation would derive from MID’s pre-1914 water rights to natural flow in the Merced River.

The proposed action would provide additional water that can meet Central Valley Project south of the Delta water supply needs, including those of agricultural and refuge contractors. The acquired water could contribute to increased Merced River flows below Crocker Huffman Diversion Dam, providing further benefits for spawning, incubation, and juvenile-rearing habitat for salmonids in the Merced River.

The draft 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=15801. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments should be should be sent to Russell Grimes, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may be emailed to RWGrimes@usbr.gov or faxed to 916-978-5055. Comments must be received by close of business Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

For additional information or to request a copy of the EA, please contact Grimes at 916-978-5051 (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:

Draft EA