News Release Archive

Reclamation releases draft environmental documents for the Mendota Pool Group Exchange Agreements

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 9169785100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: April 20, 2018

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft Environmental Assessment and draft Finding of No Significant Impact for one-year exchange agreements with the Mendota Pool Group.

Under the proposed one-year exchange agreements, groundwater pumped annually into Mendota Pool, minus losses, would be used by Reclamation to offset existing water contract obligations at the Mendota Pool. Reclamation would then reduce Central Valley Project deliveries to the Mendota Pool by the quantity exchanged and make an equivalent amount of up to 25,000 acre-feet per year of CVP water available to the Mendota Pool Group and Peracchi lands in Westlands Water District for irrigation purposes via the San Luis Canal.

The draft 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=21181.

Comments are due by Thursday, May 10, 2018; please email comments to jllewis@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Jennifer Lewis, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397.

For additional information or to request a copy of the draft EA and FONSI, please contact Lewis at 559- 487-5049 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the draft EA and FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

# # #

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.