News Release Archive

Public meeting rescheduled for B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

Media Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov
Scott Petersen, 209-597-0232, scott.petersen@sldmwa.org

For Release: August 31, 2020

B.F. Sisk Dam and San Luis ReservoirSACRAMENTO, Calif. - Due to technical difficulties during the previously scheduled public meeting for the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, the Bureau of Reclamation and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority have rescheduled the public meeting to solicit comments on topics addressed in the Draft EIR/SEIS for: Sept. 3, 2020, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams, accessible at the following link: http://bit.ly/BFSiskEIRSEISRescheduledPublicMeeting

Given the coronavirus pandemic and the associated precautions and procedures being followed throughout California, the public meeting to solicit comments on the Draft EIR/SEIS will continue to be conducted online using Microsoft Teams. This meeting’s format will allow for a project presentation and public participation through the online-chat function.

This joint proposed project would create an additional 130,000 acre-feet of storage space in San Luis Reservoir that could be used as an additional water supply for two million acres of farmland and 200,000 acres of Pacific Flyway wetlands that use reservoir water.

Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority partnered to investigate adding an additional 10 feet to the crest of B.F. Sisk Dam while implementing safety of dam modifications. The additional space would be used to store water that could be delivered to south-of-Delta water contractors and wildlife refuges. This water would be used to meet existing contractual obligations and not serve any new demands.

The Draft EIR/SEIS may be viewed at http://sldmwa.org/sisk-project/. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please email pablo.arroyave@sldmwa.org.

Written comments on the environmental document should be received by close of business, Sept. 28, 2020, and sent to Pablo Arroyave, SLDMWA, P.O. Box 2157, Los Banos, CA 93635, or via e-mail to pablo.arroyave@sldmwa.org or to Cassandra Arthur, Bureau of Reclamation, 1140 W. Wood Street Willows, CA 95988, or via e-mail to carthur@usbr.gov.

For additional information, contact Pablo Arroyave at 209-832-6200 or Cassandra Arthur at 530-892-6202 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).

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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.

Relevant Link:

Sept. 3, 2020, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams