Reclamation previously contracted with the San Joaquin River Group Authority to help meet the base "pulse" flow objectives of the San Joaquin River Agreement. Reclamation is now proposing to enter into an agreement with the Merced Irrigation District to help provide spring “pulse” flows from Lake McClure to the Merced River.

The Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study (Draft EA/IS) was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=8883. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Wednesday, February 1, 2012, and should be sent to Arlan Nickel, Bureau of Reclamation, Division of Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-720, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Nickel at 916-978-5094 or e-mailed to anickel@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft IS/EA, please contact Mr. Nickel at 916-978-5061, TTY 800-735-2929. Copies of the draft documents may also be viewed at Reclamation's Sacramento Regional Office at the above address.