News Release Archive

Reclamation releases draft environmental documents for the return of transferred water to the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority

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

For Release: June 29, 2018

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft Environmental Assessment and draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed approval of the annual return of up to 20,000 acre-feet of previously transferred Central Valley Project water from Reclamation-acknowledged water banks over a nine year period.

Under the proposal, previously transferred water would remain for use in Reclamation-acknowledged water banks and a like amount of State Water Project water would be provided to the Exchange Contractors in San Luis Reservoir. The SWP water would either be transferred to participating contractors as previously covered in the long-term EIS/EIR or delivered to the Exchange Contractors through O’Neill Forebay and the Delta-Mendota Canal for recharge or irrigation purposes within their service area.

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=33861.

Comments are due by Monday, July 30, 2018, please email comments to mconnor@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Kate Connor, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to Connor at 559-487-5927.

For additional information or to request a copy of the draft EA and FONSI, please contact Kate Connor at 559-487-5504 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

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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.