News Release Archive

Public Scoping Meeting Scheduled on Proposed North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: April 22, 2014

MODESTO, Calif. ­-- The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report to evaluate the proposed North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program as a regional solution to address water supply shortages within Del Puerto Water District’s service area, on the west side of the San Joaquin River in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties, south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Under the proposed program, up to 59,000 acre-feet per year of recycled water produced by the cities of Turlock and Modesto would be delivered via the Delta-Mendota Canal. Recycled water would be conveyed from Modesto and Turlock through pipelines from their wastewater treatment facilities, crossing the San Joaquin River, and ending at the Delta-Mendota Canal. The recycled water would then be conveyed directly to Del Puerto Water District customers or to the San Luis Reservoir for storage during low water demand periods.

In addition to uses within Del Puerto Water District’s service area, this program proposes to provide water to Central Valley Project Improvement Act-designated refuges, south of the Delta, to meet their need for water supply.

A public scoping meeting is being held to solicit public input on topics to be addressed in the environmental document including resources to be evaluated, alternatives to be considered and significant concerns and issues. Reclamation is the National Environmental Protection Act lead agency and the city of Modesto is the California Environmental Quality Act lead agency. The meeting is scheduled as follows:

Modesto
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Modesto City Hall,
1010 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

Written comments on the scope of the environmental document should be received by close of business Wednesday, May 28, 2014, and should be sent to Benjamin Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, SCC-412, Fresno, California 93721, via e-mail to blawrence@usbr.gov, or faxed to 559-487-5194. For additional information, please contact 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.