News Release Archive

Reclamation Signs Record of Decision for the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program

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

For Release: May 06, 2016

PATTERSON, Calif. – Today the Bureau of Reclamation signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program (Program).

The Program will deliver up to 59,000 acre-feet per year of treated recycled water produced by the cities of Modesto and Turlock to the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC), a feature of the Central Valley Project owned by Reclamation. Water in the DMC will then be conveyed directly to Del Puerto Water District (District) turnouts for use in-district. This project will also provide supplemental water to certain Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA)-designated refuges located south of the Delta (SOD).

Reclamation’s decision is to implement the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1 – Combined Alignment Alternative) as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Under the Preferred Alternative, Reclamation will execute: (1) a long-term Warren Act Contract with the District for introduction, conveyance and storage in federal facilities of up to 59,000 acre-feet per year of the city of Modesto and Turlock’s treated recycled water, (2) a long-term license with the District for construction, operation and maintenance of a discharge structure on the DMC and (3) an agreement with the District to provide supplemental water supplies to certain SOD CVPIA-designated refuges.

"Signing this ROD is an important step in moving this project forward. This project will help make the best use out of our limited water resources by using the same water multiple times,” said David Murillo, Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region. “We will continue to seek out opportunities like this to stretch limited water supplies in the future.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and every landowner in the District, we express our sincere appreciation to everyone who has worked hard on behalf of the Program to get to this milestone, especially the dedicated Reclamation team assembled to see the National Environmental Policy Act process through,” said Anthea Hansen, General Manager, Del Puerto Water District. “Our situation has been quite challenging in recent years, and the signing of the ROD means our multi-generational farm families have some relief in sight. Today marks a change in the course of the District’s future in a very positive way, and for that we are thankful.”

“As a third generation family farm owner, being able to have an affordable and reliable water supply is remarkable, and what we are doing here today will go a long way toward ensuring farming continues in our District,” said James Jasper, Director, Del Puerto Water District. “Reclamation has been very supportive of the District’s recycled water project, and we are most appreciative.”

The ROD was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=17241. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the ROD, please contact Rain Emerson at remerson@usbr.gov or 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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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.

Relevant Link:

ROD