News Release Archive

Reclamation Acquiring Lands for Endangered Species in Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

Media Contact: Shana Kaplan, 916-978-5100, skaplan@usbr.gov

For Release: December 27, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation today released environmental documents for the acquisition of lands for inclusion in the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge.

Reclamation is providing $649,250 from the Central Valley Project Conservation Program and the Habitat Restoration Program to help purchase 275 acres of uncultivated grassland and alkali scrub habitat on two parcels of unincorporated land adjacent to the Pixley NWR from voluntary sellers in Tulare County (the Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation District).

Upon completion of the acquisition, the parcels would immediately be included in the National Wildlife Refuge System as part of the Pixley NWR. The purchase would protect the federally listed endangered Tipton kangaroo rat, San Joaquin kit fox, and blunt-nosed leopard lizard, threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp, and other sensitive species.

The Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=15261. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request copies of the documents, please contact Doug Kleinsmith at 916-978-5034  (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or email dkleinsmith@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:

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=15261