News Release Archive

Reclamation releases updated environmental document for California WaterFix

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

For Release: September 21, 2018

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation released today the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the California WaterFix. The document outlines several changes proposed by the California Department of Water Resources, the state lead agency for the California WaterFix, which require additional analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The proposed modifications in the environmental document have not changed any conclusions on the impacts to resource areas from those included in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the California WaterFix (such as fish and aquatic resources, terrestrial biological resources, agricultural resources or cultural resources). The modifications do not change the original federal action to adjust Central Valley Project operations in the Delta to accommodate new conveyance facility operations and/or flow requirements in coordination with State Water Project operators.

The modifications include:

• Changing the location of reusable tunnel material storage sites near the intermediate forebay, on Zacharias Island, on Bouldin Island and near the relocated Byron Tract Forebay.
• Relocating the tunnel boring machine launch shaft and barge landing location on Bouldin Island.
• Creating a new Byron Tract Forebay (eliminating the extensive modifications to Clifton Court Forebay) and relocating the consolidated pumping plant.
• Realigning the 40-foot diameter tunnels slightly to accommodate the relocated Bouldin Island TBM launch shaft and Byron Tract Forebay consolidated pumping plant relocation.
• Relocating or eliminating appurtenant facilities such as barge landing sites, concrete batch plants and construction access roads to improve facility design.
• Realigning the 40-foot diameter tunnels to avoid the town of Hood and municipal water wells.

The draft supplemental environmental document prepared in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act is available here.

Public comments are accepted through November 5. Reclamation will respond to all substantive comments received on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement and consider them in the decision-making process.

The release follows the California Department of Water Resources’ public release of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement on July 17. The California Department of Water Resources serves as the lead state agency for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

A notice announcing the document availability was published in the federal register today. The notice is available here.

For additional information or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Brooke White at 916-414-2402 (TTY 800-877-8339) or bwhite@usbr.gov.

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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.