News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Cross Valley Contractors Interim Renewal Contracts

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

For Release: March 17, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for issuance of Cross Valley Contractors Interim Renewal Contracts.

The proposed action includes two components: The proposed execution of up to eight Interim Renewal Contracts with the seven Cross Valley contractors for a two-year interim renewal period and the proposed approval of the Cross Valley contractors’ exchange arrangements to coincide with the IRC.

The seven Cross Valley contractors are: County of Fresno, Hills Valley Irrigation District, Kern-Tulare Water District (two contracts), Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Pixley Irrigation District, Tri-Valley Water District and County of Tulare. Due to direct conveyance challenges, the contractors would obtain their CVP supplies via exchanges as set forth in Article 5(a) of the Cross Valley contractors’ respective water service contracts. Each of the IRCs would run for up to two years, beginning on March 1, 2014, and the Article 5 exchanges would be in effect concurrently with the IRCs.

The Draft EA and FONSI were released for public comment between Sept. 4, 2013 and Oct. 4, 2013. Four sets of comments were received during the comment period: from Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, from North Coast Rivers Alliance, from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and from a coalition of interest groups. The comments and Reclamation’s responses are in the Final EA. 

The Final EA and 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=14761. 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 EA/FONSI, please contact Ben Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the documents may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at 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.