The Bureau of Reclamation today released two Final Environmental Assessments and Findings of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the execution of several interim renewal contracts with certain Central Valley Project contractors:

One EA/FONSI analyzed three Delta Division and five San Luis Unit interim renewal contracts for: Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Santa Clara Valley Water District, City of Tracy (two contracts) and Westlands Water District (five contracts).

The second EA/FONSI analyzed eight Cross Valley interim renewal contracts and Article 5 exchanges for: County of Fresno, Hills Valley Irrigation District, Kern-Tulare Water District (two contracts), Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Pixley Irrigation District, Tri-Valley Water District and County of Tulare.

The interim renewal contracts have been undertaken by the authority of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act to provide a bridge between the expiration of the original long-term water service contracts and the execution of new long-term water service contracts. Each of the interim renewal contracts have been renewed for up to 2 years, beginning March 1, 2012. Article 5 exchanges would be in effect concurrently with the respective interim renewal contracts.

The Draft EA/FONSI for the Delta Division and San Luis Unit were released for a 30-day public review on December 12, 2011. The Draft EA/FONSI for the Cross Valley contractors were released for a 30-day public review on December 28, 2011. Public comments received during the comment periods have been addressed in the Final EA/FONSI.

The Final EA/FONSIs were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at (Delta Division and San Luis) (http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=8761) and at (Cross Valley Contractors) (http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=8812).

If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, need additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA/FONSI, please contact Steve Geissinger, Bureau of Reclamation, at 916-978-5108 (TTY 916-978-5608) or sgeissinger@usbr.gov.