News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Documents Available for Annual Transfers of Up to 7,500 Acre-Feet Per Year of Firebaugh Canal Water District’s Central Valley Project Water Over a Five-Year Period

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

For Release: March 19, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. –The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the availability of draft environmental documents assessing proposed annual transfers of up to 7,500 acre-feet of Firebaugh Canal Water District’s Central Valley Project water, over a five-year period, to Pacheco Water District , Panoche Water District, San Luis Water District, and Westlands Water District.

The proposed transfers would occur from April through December of each year in which is transferred.  In order to make FCWD’s CVP water supplies available for the transfers, common landowners in the water districts would pump a like-amount of groundwater in lieu of receiving the CVP supplies.

The Draft 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=10110. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail ibr2mprpao@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Rain Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation at remerson@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to Emerson at 559-487-5397. Comments are due by April 17, 2014. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Emerson at 559-487-5196 (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.