News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Amending Banta-Carbona Irrigation District’s Warren Act Contract

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: February 07, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review environmental documents on amending Banta-Carbona Irrigation District’s existing five-year Warren Act Contract and increasing the amount of non-Central Valley Project water the district could convey through the Delta-Mendota Canal and/or store within federal facilities from 10,000 acre-feet per year to 15,500 acre-feet per year.

Due to drought conditions, BCID, located in San Joaquin County, needs to convey an additional portion of its non-Project supplies to existing crops within their district that are in need of supplemental irrigation water. In addition, the conveyance and/or storage of this non-Project water within federal facilities would provide BCID with the operational flexibility to control the timing of delivery and further optimize the use of their water resources. 

The Warren Act authorizes Reclamation to enter into contracts to impound, store, or convey non-Project water in federal facilities, when excess capacity is available.

Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) 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=5198. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Michael Inthavong, Bureau of Reclamation at minthavong@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397. Comments are due by Feb. 14. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Inthavong at 559-487-5127 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/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.