News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Document on a Proposed Groundwater Replenishment Project in Monterey County

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

For Release: April 28, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to disclose potential environmental effects associated with granting the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA) with Title XVI funds for a proposed Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) Project in Monterey County, California.

The MRWPCA, in partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, would construct new GWR facilities within unincorporated areas of the Salinas Valley and within the cities of Salinas, Marina and Seaside. The GWR Project would collect new raw waters (agricultural wash water, urban storm water runoff, and surface waters) and combine them with existing raw wastewater inflows to MRWPCA’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Secondary-treated effluent that is not further treated to tertiary levels for agricultural irrigation will be conveyed to a new Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF). The recycled water produced at the AWPF will be used for replenishment of the Seaside groundwater basin through the injection of the water into a series of shallow and deep injection wells.

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=28395. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments on the draft EA must be received by close of business Friday, May 5, 2017. Please send comments to Nathaniel Martin, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way MP-152, Sacramento, CA 95825 or to nmartin@usbr.gov. For questions on the project or to request a copy of the draft EA, please contact Martin at 916-978-6153 (TTY 800-877-8339) or nmartin@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.