Media Contacts:
Reclamation	Pete Lucero	916-978-5100
SLDMWA	Frances Mizuno	209-832-6200
For Release On:	December 28, 2010

Public Meetings Scheduled on Proposed Long-Term 'North-to-South' Water Transfers Environmental Document Preparation

The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority have scheduled public meetings on topics to address in a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the effects of proposed water transfers from willing sellers in northern California to buyers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The EIS/EIR will address transfers of Central Valley Project (CVP) water through CVP or State Water Project facilities, and transfers of non-CVP water supplies that require the use of CVP facilities.  Individual and multi-year water transfers could occur through various methods, including groundwater substitution and cropland idling, from 2012 through 2022.

Meetings to solicit comment on topics to be addressed in the EIS/EIR have been scheduled for:

• Chico:  Tuesday, January 11, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., 1110 W. East Avenue, Chico Masonic Family Center
• Sacramento:  Wednesday, January 12, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., 1413 Howe Avenue, Best Western Expo Inn
• Los Banos:  Thursday, January 13, 6 p.m-8 p.m., 842 Sixth Street, Los Banos, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority

Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR should be received by close of business Friday, February 11, 2011, and should be sent to Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-410, Sacramento CA 95825, via e-mail to bhubbard@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5290.  For additional information, please contact Mr. Hubbard at 916-978-5204 (TTY 916-978-5608) or Frances Mizuno, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, P.O. Box 2157, Los Banos CA, 93635, at 209-832-6200.