News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Conveyance and Storage of Groundwater in the Delta-Mendota Canal to Del Puerto Water District Due to Drought

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

For Release: May 05, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft environmental documents for a proposed Warren Act contract for the introduction of up to 23,000 acre-feet per year of non-Central Valley Project groundwater into the Delta-Mendota Canal for conveyance to Del Puerto Water District. The Warren Act contract would be for a period not to exceed four years.

The source of the groundwater is from private landowners within Merced County, Calif. (4-S Ranch Partners, LLC and SHS Family Limited Partnership).

The proposed action is due to drought conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. The U.S. Drought Monitor, a multi-agency federal hydrology report, shows that conditions in the San Joaquin Valley have intensified from “severe” drought in April 2013 to “exceptional” drought in April 2014. “Exceptional” is the worst of the five stages on the scale. The only other locations in the United States that are classified “exceptional” are in the northern portions of Nevada and Texas.

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=17363. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Rain Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation at remerson@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to Emerson at 559-487-5397. Comments are due by May 19, 2014.  For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929). 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.