News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for Henry Miller Reclamation District No. 2131 Island Canal System Modernization Project

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

For Release: December 17, 2013

LOS BANOS, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a draft Environmental Assessment for the Henry Miller Reclamation District No. 2131 Island Canal System Modernization Project.

The Island Canal System Modernization Project entails Reclamation providing a WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency grant to construct a pump bay control building and retrofit 15 existing manual check structures into four modern automatic flow control structures and 11 long crested weirs. The project area is east of the community of Los Banos, Calif., within the San Luis Canal Co./Henry Miller Reclamation District No. 2131. The modernization project would allow the District to reduce unwanted canal spill, improve water management and service to water users, and reduce dependence on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and groundwater.

The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=15901. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments 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 by close of business Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. 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=15901