News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Assessment for Conveyance of Non-Project Water in Grand Valley Project Facilities

Media Contact: Justyn Liff, 970-248-0625, jliff@usbr.gov
Lesley McWhirter, 970-248-0608, lmcwhirter@usbr.gov

For Release: March 26, 2018

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released a draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment for a contract that would authorize the use of Grand Valley Project facilities in Grand Junction, Colo. to convey non-project water. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, and the Grand Valley Water Users Association propose to enter into a contract with Reclamation to use Grand Valley Project facilities to carry up to 5,000 acre-feet of non-project water annually for five years.

Non-project water would be carried during times when Reclamation, with the advice of OMID and GVWUA, determines there is excess capacity in the Project facilities. The delivery of Grand Valley Project water would not be relinquished in order to create capacity for the non-project water.

The draft FONSI and EA is available online at www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/index.html or a copy can be requested by contacting Reclamation.

Reclamation will consider all comments received by Friday, April 27, 2018. Submit comments by email to lmcwhirter@usbr.gov or to: Ed Warner, Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, 445 West Gunnison Ave, Suite 221, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

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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.