News Release Archive

Reclamation releases environmental document for preserving habitat in Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area

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

For Release: May 18, 2018

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation finalized a Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment to provide $622,926 to the Bureau of Land Management for the BLM’s purchase of 1,387 acres within the Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area in Fresno County.

The purchase would permanently protect and manage habitats for threatened and endangered species like the San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, blunt-nose leopard lizard and San Joaquin wooly-threads plant.

The proposed funding is from the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Habitat Restoration Program and the Central Valley Project Conservation Program for mitigating and minimizing future impacts on threatened and endangered species. The property acquisition also contributes to the BLM’s long-range goals of preserving endangered species habitat and promoting species recovery through strategic, targeted land acquisitions and subsequent management activities to optimize habitat conditions.

The FONSI and EA were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and they are available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=31121.

For additional information or to receive a copy of the documents, please contact Doug Kleinsmith, at dkleinsmith@usbr.gov, or at 916-978- 5034 (TTY800-877- 8339).

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