News Release Archive

Reclamation releases final environmental documents to convey non-project water through Klamath Project facilities

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: May 07, 2018

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact to disclose potential environmental effects associated with the issuance of contracts with districts and/or individual water users for conveying non-project water through Klamath Project facilities.

Under this proposal, the amount of conveyance capacity available under such contracts will be limited to: (1) the amount of non-project water a given contractor has legal right to, as determined by the applicable state; and (2) the extent excess capacity is actually available in project facilities for conveyance purposes. The resultant contracts would be for a term of between one and five years, expiring no later than 2022, and would require and include a process where the use of non-project water must be verified to be compliant with state law and restrictions.

As part of the proposed action, Reclamation intends to coordinate with Oregon and California in making determinations consistent with state law with respect to potential third-party impacts, and groundwater impacts within the project service area.

The draft and final assessments, and finding of no significant impact are available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=21661.

For additional information or to request document copies, please contact Kirk Young at 541-880-2589 (TYY 800-877-8339) or byoung@usbr.gov. They may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Klamath Basin Area Office at 6600 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603.

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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.