News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Document on Cawelo Water District and North Kern Water Storage District Calloway Canal Lining Project

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: February 20, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review an environmental assessment of a proposed canal lining project that would be partially funded with CALFED Water Use Efficiency Project Grants.

Under the proposed action, Reclamation would award Cawelo Water District with a $300,000 CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grant to assist in funding the lining of Reach C1of the Calloway Canal and a similar CALFED grant for $1,000,000 to assist in funding of Reach C2. Reclamation would also award North Kern Water Storage District with an Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency grant for $609,500 to assist in funding the lining of Reach D. The Calloway Canal is near Bakersfield, California.

The proposed project involves concrete lining of a total of 5,290 linear feet of the currently unlined Calloway Canal. Lining would reduce seepage from the canal of about 1,842 acre-feet per year.

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is a 30-year program among 25 federal and state agencies with responsibility in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. CALFED Water Use Efficiency Program grants provide matching funds for water conservation projects.

The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=20505. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments are due by close of business Friday, March 6. Comments should be sent to Doug Kleinsmith, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be emailed to dkleinsmith@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5055.

For additional information or to receive a copy of the EA, please contact Kleinsmith at 916-978-5034 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional 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.