- Reclamation
- News & Multimedia
- News Releases
- News Release Archive
- Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Document for Exchange of Refuge Level 2 Water for Panoche Water District Groundwater
News Release Archive
Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Document for Exchange of Refuge Level 2 Water for Panoche Water District Groundwater
Media Contact:
Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov
For Release: July 14, 2015
FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Environmental Assessment for a proposal to exchange Refuge Level 2 water for Panoche Water District’s groundwater.
The Panoche WD is proposing to fund the costs of pumping and delivering up to 4,000 acre-feet of groundwater supplies from four existing wells in exchange for up to 2,000 acre-feet of Central Valley Project Refuge Level 2 water. The groundwater would be delivered to private wetlands within the Grassland Resources Conservation District in Merced County for refuge water supply needs in fall 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016. In exchange, Panoche WD would receive Refuge Level 2 water delivered by Reclamation to help meet current agricultural water needs.
The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is attached to the news release email distribution. To request a copy of the Draft EA or for additional information, please contact Brad Hubbard at 916-978-5204 (TTY 800-877-8339) or bhubbard@usbr.gov. Copies of the document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office at the below address.
Comments must be received by close of business Tuesday, July 28, and should be sent to: Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be emailed to bhubbard@usbr.gov or faxed to 916-978-5059.
# # #
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.
