News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Proposed Exchange of Central Valley Project Water for Previously Banked State Water Project Water

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

For Release: September 11, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft environmental documents assessing the proposed exchange of up to 5,000 acre-feet of Central Valley Project water for previously banked State Water Project water.

Under the proposed action, Alameda County Water District and Zone 7 of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District would each exchange up to 2,500 acre-feet (5,000 acre-feet total) of SWP water for a like amount of stored water in Los Vaqueros Reservoir. When called upon, the stored water in Los Vaqueros would be exchanged with Contra Costa Water District for an equal amount of CCWD’s CVP water from the Delta. Under the proposed action, the CVP water would be diverted at the SWP’s Clifton Court Forebay and conveyed to ACWD and/or Zone 7 by way of the South Bay Aqueduct. This would require a temporary change in the point of diversion/rediversion for CVP water. Also, since portions of Zone 7 are outside the CVP place of use, a change in the place of use will be required.

The Draft EA and FONSI 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=22869. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments are due by close of business Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, and should be sent to Molly Burns, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be emailed to mburns@usbr.gov or faxed to 559-487-5397.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Burns at 559-487-5531 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

# # #

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.