The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mendota Pool 10-Year Exchange Agreements for public review. The EIS evaluates the proposed exchange of up to 25,000 acre-feet of water between Reclamation and certain farmers comprising an unincorporated association known as the Mendota Pool Group (Group).

Under the exchange agreement, Reclamation would issue a series of annual exchange agreements with the Group over a 10-year period. The project goals are to: (1) improve the reliability of cost effectively providing irrigation water deliveries to the San Luis Canal without affecting Central Valley Project (CVP) water deliveries at Mendota Pool, and (2) offset cutbacks in CVP irrigation water supplies as a more balanced distribution of water among competing uses is sought.

The Final EIS contains responses to all comments received and changes made to the text of the Draft EIS as a result of those comments. Reclamation will not make a decision on the proposed action until 30 days after release of the Final EIS. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the action that will be implemented and will discuss all factors leading to the decision.

Copies of the Final EIS may be obtained from Mr. David Young, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721-1813. Requests for copies can also be sent via e-mail to dkyoung@mp.usbr.gov or faxed to 559-487-5397. The Final EIS is available on-line at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sccao/documentation.html.