News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Increase in Discharge from Sorrento Lactalis Plant

Media Contact: Kelly Bridges, (208) 378-5101, kbridges@usbr.gov
Richard Jackson, rjackson@usbr.gov

For Release: June 17, 2016

BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment to evaluate the impacts of a proposed increase in wastewater flows from the Sorrento Lactalis dairy products facility in Nampa, Idaho.

Sorrento is proposing to increase production at the Nampa facility over the next several years. This growth in production will increase the plant's wastewater flows from 1.2 cubic-feet-per-second to approximately 4.5 cfs. Sorrento has submitted an application to Reclamation to accommodate this increase in discharge from its treatment plant.

Sorrento's wastewater flows into the Purdam Drain next to its Nampa facility. From the Purdam Drain, the discharge flows down Mason Creek to the Boise River. With the exception of a short segment immediately downstream of the Sorrento facility, this drainage route is under Reclamation jurisdiction. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has regulatory responsibility for the water quality of the discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit process.

The Draft Environmental Assessment evaluates the impacts of the proposed alternatives on the natural and human environment. Download the Draft Environmental Assessment at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/sorrento/index.html.

Please send written comments no later than July 18, 2016, to Richard Jackson, natural resource specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, 230 Collins Road, Boise, ID 83702 or by email at rjackson@usbr.gov.

# # #

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:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/sorrento/index.html