The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority have scheduled public scoping meetings for 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. Currently, the only available document for review is the Notice of Intent. This document is published in the Federal Register and can be found at the following website address: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-32583.pdf

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 scoping comments should be received by close of business Monday, February 28, 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.