News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for the Agreement for the Reimbursement of Pumping Costs for Refuge Water Supplies at Wildlife Areas

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

For Release: September 21, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Agreement for the Reimbursement of Pumping Costs between the United States and the State of California for Refuge Water Supplies at Wildlife Areas. The Agreement covers the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Los Banos, Mendota and Volta wildlife areas; and the China Island, Salt Slough and Gadwall Units of the North Grasslands Wildlife Area.

The Agreement would reimburse CDFW for costs associated with (1) lift pumping required to complete the initial conveyance of refuge surface water supplies to CDFW wildlife areas and (2) pumping sources of Incremental Level 4 water supplies developed at CDFW wildlife areas located in the San Joaquin Valley. The Agreement terms would be effective from the date of execution through Feb. 28, 2029. The Central Valley Project Improvement Act is the authority that authorizes Reclamation to sign the agreement and implement the proposed action.

The Final EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=17581. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Brad Hubbard at 916-978-5204 or bhubbard@usbr.gov.

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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.