News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents on Additional Points of Delivery of Panoche Water District’s Non-Central Valley Project Water to Westlands Water District

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

For Release: July 16, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation today released final environmental documents for approval of additional points of delivery for up to 5,000 acre-feet of Panoche Water District’s non-Central Valley Project groundwater into the Delta-Mendota Canal, as part of the DMC Groundwater Pump-in Program.

The program allows certain South-of-Delta CVP contractors to cumulatively pump up to 50,000 acre-feet of groundwater into the DMC annually. The program began in 2013 due to worsening drought conditions.

No additional groundwater pumping will occur under the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact released today. The documents assessed an increase in the number of locations for delivery of the water.

The Final EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=11470. 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 Final EA and/or FONSI, please contact Rain Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-877-8339) or emerson@usbr.gov.  

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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.