The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the existing long-term water service contract between Reclamation and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, the Westlands Water Distribution District No. 1, the and Santa Clara Valley Water District. The proposed contract is for the delivery of up to 6,260 acre-feet of CVP water per year for agricultural and municipal and industrial uses, and it has a contract term of 25 years.

The Draft EA/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 EAs/FONSIs and scroll to the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, the Westlands Water Distribution District No. 1, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District Draft EA/FONSI. The draft documents can also be reviewed at Reclamation's Fresno Office at the address indicated below.

A separate 60-day public review and comment period was initiated for the contract on December 3, 2004. The form of contract is available at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on 2004 Forms of Contract.

Written comments on the Draft EA/FONSI must be received by close of business on Wednesday, February 2, 2005, and should be sent to: Ms. Lynne Silva, Bureau of Reclamation, 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 environmental documents, please contact Ms. Silva at 559-487-5807, TDD 559-487-5933. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.