News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Long-term Contract and License with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District

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

For Release: February 20, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation today released final environmental documents for the long-term contract and long-term license with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District in order to provide operational flexibility and an annual water supply to the Tracy Hills Development, near Tracy, Calif.

The contract would allow BBID to introduce up to 4,500 acre-feet per year, plus up to an additional 225 acre-feet per year to cover conveyance losses, of its non-Central Valley Project water into the Delta-Mendota Canal, downstream of the C.W. "Bill" Jones Pumping Plant. All introduced water would be exchanged with Reclamation at the point of introduction. Exchanged water would either be directly delivered for treatment at the city of Tracy’s water treatment plant before delivery to the Tracy Hills Development or would be stored within San Luis Reservoir for later delivery.

The proposed license would allow BBID to access federal land in order to install an aboveground pipeline at the DMC downstream of the C.W. "Bill" Jones Pumping Plant. The license would also allow BBID to maintain and operate the structure on Reclamation’s rights-of-way.

The Final Environmental Assessment and 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=11091. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA and FONSI, please contact Rain Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the documents may also be viewed at Reclamation’s South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

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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:

Final Environmental Documents