News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for 5-Year Refuge Water Exchange Agreement with San Luis Water District

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: October 26, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact analyzing the impacts of approving a 5-year exchange of up to 6,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater for up to 3,000 acre-feet per year of refuge (or Level 2) water with the San Luis Water District.

Level 2 water amounts 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 Final EA and FONSI were 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=26827. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Brad Hubbard at 916-978-5204 or bhubbard@usbr.gov.

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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.