News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Issuance of Warren Act Contracts for Kern-Tulare Water District and Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District

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

For Release: April 14, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for issuance of Warren Act contracts to Kern-Tulare Water District and Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District.

Reclamation proposes to approve storage, conveyance, and/or diversion of up to 30,000 acre-feet per year of Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District non-Central Valley Project water in the Friant-Kern Canal, when excess capacity exists, according to LSID’s Friant Division repayment contract. LSID’s non-CVP water originates in the Kaweah River.

Reclamation is also proposing to approve storage, conveyance, and/or diversion of up to 30,000 acre-feet per year of Kern-Tulare Water District’s non-CVP water in the FKC when excess capacity exists, per the terms of KTWD’s Friant Division repayment contract. KTWD’s non-CVP supplies include Kern River and State Water Project water, which are tested at specific points to confirm that they meet Reclamation’s water quality requirements prior to entering the FKC.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were released for public comment from January 24 to February 24, 2014. No comments were received.

The 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=16261. 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 800-877-8339). Copies of the EA/FONSI 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.