News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Approvals Associated with the Tesoro Viejo Master Planned Community

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

For Release: June 12, 2017

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed issuance of land use authorization(s) to the County of Madera.

These land use authorization(s) are for the proposed construction, operation, and maintenance of four free-span bridge crossings over the Madera Canal, the piping of Lateral 6.2, and various road crossings through Reclamation right-of-way. These actions are associated with the Tesoro Viejo Master Planned Community. Reclamation also proposes to add Lateral 6.2 as a point of delivery for up to 3,000 acre-feet per year of Madera Irrigation District’s existing Warren Act Contract pre-1914 appropriative water rights.

Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in order to jointly fulfill National Environmental Policy Act requirements, have agreed to share responsibility for environmental compliance through the review and preparation of the Corps’ Decision Document/Environmental Assessment. Reclamation’s Draft FONSI is supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Decision Document/Environmental Assessment.

Reclamation’s Draft FONSI and the Corps Decision Document/Environmental Assessment were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=28921 . If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business, Friday, June 23, 2017, please email comments to remerson@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to Emerson at 559-487-5397.

# # #

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.