News Release Archive

Independent Panel Convenes to Review CVPIA Refuge Water Supply Activities

Media Contact: Lynnette Wirth, 916-978-5100, lwirth@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: January 23, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the initiation of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Refuges Independent Review. An independent panel composed of subject matter experts will assess the agencies' efforts to acquire and convey CVPIA-mandated quantities of water to National, State, and private refuges and wildlife areas.

Reclamation and the Service have called for the Independent Review to seek outside programmatic recommendations on management and implementation of the CVPIA Refuge Water Supply Program's activities. The panel's deliberations will result in a report with recommendations to the agencies on how to improve program effectiveness and efficiency. The panel is expected to complete its deliberations and produce a report by June 30, 2009. The report resulting from the Independent Review will assist in the development of a long-term management plan for the CVPIA that is being produced under a separate process.

Reclamation and the Service have scheduled presentations at the Holiday Inn, 300 J Street, Sacramento, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 5 and 6, 2009, on the CVPIA Refuge Water Supply Program. The two agencies will provide presentations to the panel and have invited stakeholders who have been involved in the CVPIA's implementation to present to the panel. This 2-day session is open to the public, and the public may address the panel at the end of each day.

For additional information on the CVPIA Refuges Independent Review, please visit the project website at http://www.cvpiaindependentreview.com, or contact Ms. Shana Kaplan, Reclamation, at 916-978-5190 or skaplan@mp.usbr.gov; or Mr. Cesar Blanco, Service, at 916-978-6190 or cesar_blanco@fws.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.

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