SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have published a Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. The EIS/EIR will assess impacts associated with the implementation of actions I.6.1 and I.7 identified in the National Marine Fisheries Service's Reasonable and Prudent Alternative from the “2009 Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-term Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.”

These actions address salmonid habitat restoration within the lower Sacramento River basin and fish passage improvements in the Yolo Bypass. Two public scoping meetings will be held to solicit public input on topics to be addressed in the EIS/EIR, including resources to be evaluated, alternatives to be considered and significant concerns and issues. The public scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, March 14, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 1075 West Capitol Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691, Galleria and Community Center in the Community Room.

• Thursday, March 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 2001 East St, Woodland, CA 95776, Woodland Community and Senior Center in Banquet Rooms 2 & 3.

The NOI/NOP is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOffice/Documents/yolo.html. On the website, you may also sign-up to be added to the mailing list by filling out the form and clicking the submit button. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments must be received by close of business Wednesday, April 3, and should be sent to Traci Michel, Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office, 801 I Street, Suite 140, Sacramento, CA 95814-2536, faxed to 916-414-2439 or emailed tmichel@usbr.gov.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Michel at 916-414-2420 or Megan Sheely, DWR, FloodSAFE Environmental Stewardship and Statewide Resources Office, Fish Passage Improvement Program, 901 P Street, Room 411A, Sacramento, CA 95814, at 916-651-9623 or Megan.Sheely@water.ca.gov