News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Assessment for a San Joaquin River Restoration Program Groundwater Project near Wasco

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

For Release: September 01, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment for construction of a San Joaquin River Restoration Program groundwater recharge basin within Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District.

The proposed 270-acre project is located in existing non-permanent crop fields west of the Calloway Canal near Wasco, and would use existing pipelines to deliver water supplies to the newly constructed recharge basin.

The project also involves a groundwater banking arrangement that would result in a net groundwater gain over the life of the project. For example, when water is available during wet years or is made available through other agreements, it would be stored below ground to help mitigate the impacts of drought and implementation of the San Joaquin River Settlement.

Reclamation would provide partial funding for construction of the proposed project in accordance with Part III of Title X, Subtitle A of Public Law 111-11, which authorizes Reclamation to provide financial assistance to local agencies within its Central Valley Project for planning, designing and constructing facilities to bank water underground or recharge groundwater.

The Draft EA was 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=26664. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments are due by close of business Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, to Becky Victorine, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to 916-978-5469 or emailed to rvictorine@usbr.gov. For additional information, please contact Adam Nickels at 916-978-4415.

For information on the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, please visit www.restoresjr.net.

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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.