News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Westlands Water District Warren Act Contract

Media Contact: Margaret Gidding, 916-978-5100, mgidding@usbr.gov

For Release: March 07, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft environmental documents for a five-year Warren Act contract to be issued to Westlands Water District. Due to drought conditions, WWD needs to convey non-Central Valley Project supplies to existing crops within their district that are in need of supplemental irrigation water. 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.

Within the WWD, various well owners would be allowed to pump up to a total of 10,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater into the Coalinga Canal. The non-CVP water would then be conveyed to WWD turnouts and diverted to its existing distribution system.

The 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=16581. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by April 8. Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to the Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (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.