News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft EA for Refuge Water Exchange with San Luis Water District

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

For Release: October 16, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a draft environmental assessment analyzing the impacts of approving an exchange of up to 6,048 acre-feet of groundwater for up to 3,024 acre-feet of refuge (or Level 2) water with the San Luis Water District.

By law, Level 2 water amounts are set aside annually and must be of suitable quality to maintain and improve wetland habitat areas on 19 federal, state and private lands—collectively referred to as refuges. The pumped groundwater would be discharged directly into Bear Creek and delivered to the East Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge to meet a component of its Level 2 water demand. This water exchange is authorized under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Sections 3406(d)(2) and 3406(b)(3).

The draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=23229. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, and should be sent to Shelly Hatleberg, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way (MP-410), Sacramento, CA 95825, emailed to shatleberg@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5290. For additional information or to request a copy of the draft EA, please contact Hatleberg at 916-978-5050 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific regional 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.