News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Del Puerto Water District Warren Act Contract to Convey Supplemental Irrigation Water Due to the Drought

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

For Release: April 01, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review environmental documents assessing a five-year Warren Act Contract proposed to be issued to Del Puerto Water District. Due to the drought, the district needs to convey non-Central Valley Project water 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-CVP water in federal facilities, when excess capacity is available.

The city of Turlock would release recycled, treated water to the San Joaquin River, and then it would be conveyed by way of Patterson Irrigation District to the Delta-Mendota Canal. DPWD would take the water from their existing turnouts along the DMC for agricultural use. Up to 13,400 acre-feet of water per year could be conveyed under the contract.

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=17001. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by May 1, 2014. Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to 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 800-877-8339). 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.