The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed renewal of long-term water service contracts for the Central Valley Project (CVP) San Luis Unit Contractors, which include the Cities of Avenal, Coalinga, and Huron; Pacheco, Panoche, San Luis, and Westlands Water Districts; and the California Department of Fish and Game. The proposed contracts are for the delivery of up to 1,399,048 acre-feet of CVP water per year. Reclamation proposes to renew municipal and industrial (M&I) water service contracts for a period of 40 years and agricultural only or agriculture and M&I water service contracts for a period of 25 years.

The Draft EIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available for a 45-day public review and comment period. The document is available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on Draft EISs and scroll to San Luis Unit Draft EIS. The draft document can also be reviewed at Reclamation's Fresno Office at the address indicated below. Sixty-day public review and comment periods have been initiated for the San Luis Unit contracts. The forms of contract are online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on 2004 Forms of Contract.

Written comments on the Draft EIS must be received by close of business on Monday, January 24, 2005, and should be sent to: Mr. Joe Thompson, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may be faxed to 559-487-5397 or e-mailed to hthompson@mp.usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the draft documents, please contact Mr. Thompson at 559-487-5179, TDD 559-487-5933. If you need assistance accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.