News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Water Acquisition for Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: January 21, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a public draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a proposed purchase of up to 17,500 acre-feet of water annually from the Semitropic Water Storage District, located near Wasco, California, about 25 miles northwest of Bakersfield, California. The water would be used to help meet water needs at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge for water years 2005 through 2009. In accordance with Section 3406(d)(2) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Reclamation must acquire water to provide increased water deliveries to wetland habitat areas in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.

The draft EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The EA describes the potential environmental impacts, both beneficial and adverse, associated with the proposed alternatives.

The draft environmental documents are available for a 30 day comment period which ends February 22, 2005. To request a copy of these draft documents, please call Mr. James McCray, Environmental Specialist, at 916-978-5255, or e-mail him at: jmccray@mp.usbr.gov. The draft documents are also available on Reclamation's website at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/wap.

For additional information, please contact Dan Meier, Water Acquisition Program Manager, at 916-978 5264 (TDD 916-978 5608).

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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:

Draft EA and FONSI