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- Reclamation releases environmental documents for McCoy Lateral Rehabilitation and Atwater Drain Bypass Project
News Release Archive
Reclamation releases environmental documents for McCoy Lateral Rehabilitation and Atwater Drain Bypass Project
Media Contact:
Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov
For Release: September 20, 2017
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the McCoy Lateral Rehabilitation and Atwater Drain Bypass Project near Merced.
The EA and FONSI outline improving district water conveyance facilities at two separate locations. The McCoy Lateral Rehabilitation involves the enlargement of the McCoy Lateral and replacement of a dilapidated lining to conserve valuable surface water from seepage loss.
The Atwater Drain Bypass project includes re-directing the spills of the 1900 and Tin Flume Laterals to a new booster pump station and into 3,600 feet of new 36-inch pipeline under the existing 1900 Lateral, ultimately discharging into the district’s existing Deckert Lateral which ties into Black Rascal Creek. By redirecting flow back into Black Rascal Creek, Stevinson Water District and Merquin Water District can more easily access this water.
This project is being funded through a CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grant to the Merced Irrigation District that was granted in 2012.
The 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=30083. For questions on the project or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Nathaniel 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.
