Groundwater Banking Guidelines

Reclamation is seeking comments on draft changes to Central Valley Project Water Banking Guidelines for Central Valley Project Water. The guidelines, originally published in 2014, outline when Reclamation may approve banking and recovering of Central Valley Project water outside of a contractor’s service area. Comments are due by May 24 at 5:00 pm PTD. Email comments to slooper@usbr.gov or send written comments to Sheri Looper, Bureau of Reclamation-MP 400, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA, 95825.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed Water Banking Criteria (Criteria) to implement water banking as authorized by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, and as allowed by certain Federal contracts. Reclamation recognizes groundwater banking as an important water management tool in optimizing the use of Central Valley Project (CVP) Water, while addressing groundwater overdraft in some areas.

These Criteria provide consistency for Reclamation’s approval of CVP Water being banked in groundwater banking facilities for later beneficial use. Groundwater banking creates operational flexibility and water supply reliability to Contractors. These Criteria set forth the standards under which Reclamation may approve banking and recovering of CVP Water outside of the Contractor’s Contract Service Area while protecting the integrity of the CVP.

For additional information, please contact
Sheri Looper, 916-978-5556

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Last Updated: 11/9/20