News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Exchange of Refuge Level 2 Water for Panoche Water District Groundwater

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, SHunt@usbr.gov

For Release: August 25, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released final environmental documents for a proposal to exchange Refuge Level 2 water for Panoche Water District’s groundwater.

The Panoche WD is funding 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 Environmental Assessment and related documents are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=21961. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

To request copies of the documents or for additional information, please contact Brad Hubbard at 916-978-5204 (TTY 800-877-8339) or bhubbard@usbr.gov.

# # #

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.