News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Proposed Exchange agreement between Kern-Tulare Water District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors

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

For Release: March 31, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft environmental documents for the proposed exchange agreement between Kern-Tulare Water District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors.

The exchange agreement would be comprised of up to 21,000 acre-feet (11,000 Kern-Tulare and 10,000 Delano-Earlimart) previously banked Central Valley Project water for San Joaquin River water that would have been released for delivery to the Exchange Contractors by Reclamation from Millerton Lake.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding Of No Significant Impact 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=21241. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business April 14, 2015. Please email comments to remerson@usbr.gov or faxed to 559-487-5397. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

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.

Relevant Link:

Draft EA and FONSI