News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Documents Released for Proposed Water Exchange of San Joaquin River Water

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

For Release: June 04, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a draft environmental assessment for the proposed exchange of up to 13,195 acre-feet of water between the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors and Westlands Water District, in response to drought conditions in the San Joaquin Valley.

The proposal is to exchange Westlands Water District’s available CVP and non-CVP water in San Luis Reservoir for San Joaquin River water that would have been released for delivery to the Exchange Contractors by Reclamation from Millerton Lake.

The draft EA was 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=21901. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business Tuesday, June 9, 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, please contact Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the draft EA 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