News Release Archive

Notice of Availability for Draft EIS/EIR on Proposed Long-Term Water Transfers; Public Hearings Scheduled

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov
Frances Mizuno, 209-832-6200, frances.mizuno@sldmwa.org

For Release: September 30, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority have made available for public review a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report on the effects of water transfers from 2015 to 2024.

This Draft EIS/EIR evaluates water transfers that originate from willing sellers in northern California to buyers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Proposed Action includes transfers of Central Valley Project water through CVP or State Water Project facilities and transfers of non-CVP water supplies that require the use of CVP facilities.

Water transfers would occur through various methods such as groundwater substitution, cropland idling, reservoir releases, or conservation and would include individual and multiyear transfers from 2015 through 2024. The transfers could originate in Colusa, Butte, Glenn, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, Shasta, Solano, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, or Yuba counties. The transfer buyers could be in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kings, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, or Stanislaus counties. The Draft EIS/EIR evaluation found no significant, unavoidable impacts on environmental resources.

Hearings to solicit comments on topics addressed in the Draft EIS/EIR have been scheduled for:

· Sacramento: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2 to 4 p.m., 1413 Howe Avenue, Quality Inn and Suites At Cal Expo

· Los Banos: Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., 842 6th, Street, Los Banos, SLDMWA

· Chico: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., 1110 W. East Avenue, Chico Masonic Family Center

Reclamation and SLDMWA are lead federal and state agencies, respectively, for the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. The Draft EIS/EIR may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=18361. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. Paper copies of the documents are also available for review at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 and at the SLDMWA’s office: 842 6th Street, Los Banos, CA 93635.

The documents are also available at the main libraries in Auburn, Colusa, Fairfield, Fremont, Fresno, Hanford, Hollister, Marysville, Merced, Milpitas, Modesto, Oroville, Pleasant Hill, Red Bluff, Redding, Sacramento, Stockton, Willows, Woodland, and Yuba City.

Written comments are due by close of business Monday, December 1, 2014, and should be sent to Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-410, Sacramento, CA 95825, or email to bhubbard@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5290.

For additional information, please contact Hubbard at 916-978-5204 (TTY 800-877-8339) or Frances Mizuno, SLDMWA, at 209-832-6200 or at , P.O. Box 2157, Los Banos, CA, 93635.

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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.

Relevant Link:

Draft EIS/EIR