News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft EA for Quartz Valley Indian Reservation Wells Project

Media Contact: Russell Grimes, 916-978-5100, rwgrimes@usbr.gov

For Release: March 09, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared for public review the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the impacts of providing funding to the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation (QVIR) for the installation of three groundwater monitoring wells to increase the spatial resolution on the Quartz Valley floor and increase understanding of the three sub-basins of Quartz Valley.

The Proposed Project also includes drilling two drinking water wells to meet the needs of tribal drinking water, especially during drought years. During the summer of 2014 and 2015, some drinking water wells were completely dry leaving tribal members without residential water. The QVIR is located in Siskiyou County approximately six miles west of Fort Jones, California.

The draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=27815 . If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Thursday, March 16, 2017, and should be sent to Shelly Hatleberg, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way (MP-410), Sacramento, CA 95825, emailed to shatleberg@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5059. For additional information or to request a copy of the draft EA, please contact Hatleberg at 916-978-5050 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office at the above address.

# # #

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.