The Bureau of Reclamation and six American River Division Contractors have completed negotiations of their Central Valley Project long-term water service contracts for approximately 281,950 acre-feet of water. The contracts were negotiated and completed under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and are available for a 60-day public review and comment period.

Significant terms of the contracts include: an initial 40-year term for municipal and industrial only contracts; tiered water pricing; opportunities for contractors to engage in water management activities such as transfers, water banking, and ground-water recharge; project water measurement; and communication, cooperation, and coordination between the parties to improve management and operation of the CVP.

The forms of contract are available on-line at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html; click on 2004 Forms of Contract and scroll to the desired contract. Written comments must be received by close of business on Monday, February 28, 2005, and should be sent to: Mr. Richard Stevenson, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-440, Sacramento CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to 916-978-5292 or e-mailed to rstevenson@mp.usbr.gov.

To request a copy of the forms of contract, contact Ms. Nancy Anderson at 916-978-5254, TDD 916-978-5608, or e-mail nlanderson@mp.usbr.gov. Exhibits referenced in the individual contracts will not be posted in most cases. The rate exhibits that will be effective when the contracts are signed will not be available until January 2005 (see Article 7 of contracts). If you would like a copy of the exhibit to the current contract, contact Ms. Anderson.

Negotiations continue for the renewal of the remaining CVP long-term water service contracts. Additional information on Reclamation's contract renewal process is available at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html. If you need help accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.