The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on development of final phases of the Plum Basin Project, through partial funding to Tulare Irrigation District from a 2010 WaterSMART Grant. The Plum Basin Project involves converting a total of 154 acres into three cells to recharge groundwater and assist water management. Tulare Irrigation District was awarded a 2009 Water for America Challenge Grant for Phase I of the Plum Basin Project.

The Plum Basin Project is a joint effort between the City of Tulare and the Tulare Irrigation District (TID). It would assist the TID by reducing water spillage due to fluctuations in irrigation cycles. The project also would benefit both the TID and the City of Tulare by recharging the underlying aquifer.

The Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (Draft EA/FONSI) on Phases II and III were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available for public review and comment. The documents are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=7416. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100, or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business on Monday, April 4, 2011, and should be sent to Michael Inthavong, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Inthavong at 559-487-5397, or e-mailed to minthavong@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Mr. Inthavong at 559-487-5044, TTY 800-735-2929. Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Fresno office.