News Release Archive

2-Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Project: Reclamation Releases Draft EA/FONSI, Schedules Three Public Meetings

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: October 19, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Draft Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the proposed 2-Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Project (Demonstration Project) for public review.  The document was developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.  Reclamation will hold three public meetings to provide information on the proposed Demonstration Project:

Fresno
Discovery Bay
Stockton

Monday
October 26, 2009
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Piccadilly Inn
2305 West Shaw Avenue
Map

Tuesday
October 27, 2009
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Discovery Bay Elementary School
1700 Willow Lake Road
Map
Wednesday,
October 28, 2009,
6:30-8:30 p.m.,
Stockton Scottish Rite
33 West Alpine Avenue
Map

The proposed Demonstration Project is a 5-year experiment to validate a new delta smelt behavioral model and study the effects of modifying flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) to protect delta smelt and other sensitive aquatic species from entrainment in Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) export pumps.  Research suggests that the pre-spawning migration of adult delta smelt is tied to sediment/suspended particles in the water (turbidity).  Temporary gates would be placed across Old River and Connection Slough in the central Delta and operated from December to March to keep turbid water away from the CVP and SWP export pumps, thus keeping adult delta smelt away from the pumps, and in March and June to prevent larvae and juvenile delta smelt from being entrained by the export pumps.

The Draft EA/FONSI is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=4472.  If you have problems accessing the document, please contact Public Affairs at e-mail mpPublicAffairs@usbr.gov or 916-978-5100.  Additional information on the Demonstration Project is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/2gates/

Comments are due by close of business Tuesday, November 17, 2009, and should be sent to Mr. Mario Manzo, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-730, Sacramento, CA 95825, or e-mailed to mmanzo@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5094.  For additional information or a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please call 916-978-5060 (TDD 916-978-5608).  To be added to the Demonstration Project mailing list or if special assistance is needed to attend a meeting, please contact Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112 (TDD 916-978-5608) or e-mail jsierzputowski@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.

Relevant Link:

NEPA Documents