News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents, Provides $2 Million for San Joaquin River Restoration Program’s Sycamore Island Project

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

For Release: February 05, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Sycamore Island Pond Isolation Project, located along the San Joaquin River near Fresno.

The project includes repairing a breached earthen berm that previously separated the pond from the river channel. The repaired berm will improve salmon habitat by again isolating the pond to reduce predation. Vehicle access to the Sycamore Island Recreation Area will also be restored. The project is being completed by the California Department of Water Resources and the San Joaquin River Conservancy, in coordination with Reclamation.

Reclamation will provide $2 million for the estimated $4.3 million project under Public Law 111-11, Title X, which authorizes financial assistance to local agencies for the planning, design and construction of local facilities to help implement the San Joaquin River Restoration Program’s goal of restoring and maintaining fish populations in good condition from below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River.

The Final EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Reclamation is the lead agency in accordance with NEPA. The documents may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=23252. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. For additional information, please contact Becky Victorine at 916-978-4624 or Tyler Nunes at 916-978-4618.

Please visit www.restoresjr.net for more on the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.

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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.