The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the long-term water service contracts between Reclamation and the eight Cross Valley Contractors. As of writing and producing copies of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment, new information was manifested regarding newly listed species and their critical habitats. Therefore, a supplemental document was prepared addressing this new information and is available for public review. The proposed contracts are for delivery of up to 128,300 acre-feet of water per year for agricultural and municipal and industrial purposes for 25 years.

The Draft SEA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available for a 30-day public review and comment period. The documents are available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html;click on Draft EA/FONSI and scroll to Cross Valley Contractors.

Reclamation completed a Draft Cross Valley Canal Contractors Long-Term Contract Renewal Environmental Assessment in October 2000 (2000 Draft EA) and a Final Cross Valley Contractors Long-Term Contract Renewal Environmental Assessment in January 2001 (2001 Final EA). However, the Cross Valley Contractors have not signed their long-term contracts. Therefore, Reclamation determined a Supplemental Environmental Assessment is required to clarify the time period of the analysis and examine the impacts of any new information that was not covered in the 2001 Final EA. The focus of the SEA is the renewal of the long-term contracts with the eight contractors. The 2000 Draft EA, 2001 Final EA, and FONSI are incorporated into the Draft SEA by reference.

On December 28, 2004 a 60-day public review and comment period was initiated for the eight Cross Valley contracts. The forms of contract are available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html; click on 2004 Forms of Contract, and scroll to Cross Valley Contractors. For additional information, please contact Judi Tapia at 559-487-4051.

Written comments on the Draft SEA and FONSI must be received by close of business on January 30, 2005, and should be sent to: Ms. Lynne Silva, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to 559-487-5397 or e-mailed to lsilva@mp.usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the draft documents, please contact Ms. Silva at 559-487-5807.