News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Gila River Restoration Project Scoping Meeting

Media Contact: Jack Simes , 928-343-8334, jsimes@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: January 11, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to develop a project to provide flood protection to Federal project features and adjacent lands along a nine-mile reach of the Gila River just upstream of the Colorado River confluence near Yuma, Arizona.

The need for the project is to provide sufficient channel capacity to carry the upstream flow while conserving and enhancing native habitat. The solution will need to consider future maintenance requirements to maintain design capacity. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, Reclamation intends to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for this project. Reclamation's Yuma Area Office is in the process of gathering information to determine the scope of issues associated with it. Accordingly, Reclamation is inviting the public, organizations, and agencies that have an interest in this project to provide comments to help identify and define the issues to be addressed in the EA.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, Reclamation will host an open house to provide information about and seek public input on the EA for the proposed project.

The open house will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Cocopah Conference Room at the Quarter Masters Depot (formerly the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park), 201 North Fourth Avenue in Yuma. Reclamation staff will make a brief presentation at 6:30 p.m, providing information on the EA schedule and objectives for the project. Reclamation staff will be available to accept comments or answer questions throughout the meeting.

For those unable to attend, Reclamation will also accept written comments on the scope of the EA. Please address comments, questions, and mailing list requests regarding this project by February 16, 2008 to Mr. Julian DeSantiago at 928.343.8259, or through email at: jdesantiago@lc.usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.