News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Gray Lodge Reimbursement Agreement

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

For Release: April 16, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to extend the Agreement for the Reimbursement of Deep Well Pumping Costs on the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area between the United States and the State of California. The proposed agreement would add an additional 12 months until February 28, 2015. The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is located near Gridley, CA.

For the current Amendment, Reclamation prepared an Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact to evaluate and disclose any potential environmental impacts. This extension would permit Reclamation to meet obligations under Central Valley Project Improvement Act Section 3406(d)(1) by continuing to provide reimbursement of costs to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to pump up to approximately 16,159 acre-feet of groundwater, the quantity currently covered by previous environmental documentation.

The groundwater would continue to supplement limited historical average annual surface water deliveries (Level 2) for the wildlife area.

The EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with NEPA and is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=3609. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the EA/FONSI, please contact Shelly Hatleberg at 916-978-5050. Copies of the EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Sacramento office 2800 Cottage Way, CA 95825.

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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.