News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for San Joaquin River Restoration Program Seepage Management Actions

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

For Release: June 29, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released a final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for San Joaquin River Restoration Program seepage management actions up to 2020.

The program’s Restoration Flow releases are currently constrained based on the potential for groundwater seepage impacts to lands adjacent to the San Joaquin River. The purpose of implementing the proposed actions are to account for potential seepage impacts and enable Restoration Flow releases up to 1,300 cubic feet per second. Based on landowner input, seepage management actions currently being evaluated include the purchase of easements allowing for higher groundwater tables underneath crops from releasing Restoration Flows or the purchase of land affected by groundwater seepage on a willing seller basis.

The final EA and FONSI 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=27373. More information on the Seepage Management Plan is available here: http://www.restoresjr.net/monitoring-data/groundwater-monitoring/. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Regina Story at 916-978-5466 or rstory@usbr.gov.

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

# # #

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.