News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Westlands Water District San Luis Canal Pump-In Program

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

For Release: March 11, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. ­­– The Bureau of Reclamation today has released for public review draft environmental documents for proposed issuance of a five-year Warren Act contract to Westlands Water District. The Warren Act contract would allow introduction, conveyance, and storage of pumped groundwater and other non-CVP water in the San Luis Canal. The non-CVP water would come from wells located throughout the district, as well as the Mendota Pool.

The total non-CVP water introduced into the canal would not exceed 30,000 acre-feet in a given year. Proposed introduction would only take place in years in which Westlands Water District’s CVP allocation is 20% or less. Operational exchanges would also be required for situations where agricultural users are located upstream of the points of introduction. These operations would involve exchanges of the district’s non-CVP water in the canal for water stored in San Luis Reservoir. No new construction or modification of facilities would be necessary.

Reclamation also proposes to issue a single 25-year land use authorization to cover facilities along the San Luis Canal that could be used for this action which have expired easements or licenses or those for which no clear license could be identified.

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=21021. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business Thursday, March 26. Please email comments to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation at blawrence@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (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.