News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Proposed Transfer of Water between Contra Costa Water District and Byron Bethany Irrigation District

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5104, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: May 22, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft environmental documents for the proposed transfer of up to 500 acre-feet of Central Valley Project water, facilitated by a storage substitution. The proposed transfer is in response to drought conditions in the San Joaquin Valley.

Under the proposal, Contra Costa Water District would take delivery of up to 500 acre-feet of its water rights water purchased by the Byron Bethany Irrigation District that is currently stored in Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The water rights water would be delivered in-district for use by Contra Costa’s customers. Byron Bethany Irrigation District would then take delivery of up to 500 acre-feet of Contra Costa’s CVP water from the Delta.

A temporary transfer petition is required to add Byron Bethany’s point of diversion on the Banks Intake Channel as a point of diversion/rediversion for CVP water rights.

The environmental documents 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=21799. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business, Friday, June 5, 2015. Please email comments to remerson@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Emerson, 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 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:

EA