News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Westlands Water District Warren Act Contract

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

For Release: April 18, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a five-year Warren Act Contract proposed to be issued to Westlands Water District. Due to drought conditions, Westlands needs to convey non-Project supplies to existing crops within the district in need of supplemental irrigation water. The Warren Act authorizes Reclamation to enter into contracts to impound, store or convey non-Project water in federal facilities when excess capacity is available.

Various well owners within Westlands would be allowed to pump up to 10,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater into the Coalinga Canal. The non-Central Valley Project water would then be conveyed to Westlands Water District turnouts and diverted to the existing distribution system. The groundwater would be tested to demonstrate that the water standards are met before owners would be allowed to discharge to the Canal.  An easement or other license would also be issued for the pipes used to discharge to the Canal, which are already in place. The land use authorization would be for a period of 25 years.

The Draft EA and FONSI were released for public comment from March 7, 2014 to April 8, 2014.  No comments were received during the comment period.

The Final 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=16581. 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).

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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.