News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Environmental Assessment on Revocation of Whitewater Unit Land

Media Contact: Alan Schroeder, 970-248-0692, aschroeder@usbr.gov
Justyn Liff, 970-248-0625, jliff@usbr.gov

For Release: January 11, 2018

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - The Bureau of Reclamation released an Environmental Assessment and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact today for revocation of withdrawn lands for the Whitewater Unit.

In the 1950s, Reclamation withdrew federal public land from the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado’s Delta and Mesa Counties for a proposed storage dam and reservoir to be called the Whitewater Unit. However, the project was never fully authorized and the lands are no longer needed for Reclamation purposes. Revoking the withdrawn land will restore full management to BLM for operation under applicable public land laws, regulations and management decisions.

The EA/FONSI was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available online at www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/index.html, or a copy can be requested by contacting Alan Schroeder at 970-248-0692.

Comments are due by Friday, February 16, 2018. Please email comments to Alan Schroeder at aschroeder@usbr.gov. Written comments may be mailed to Ed Warner, Bureau of Reclamation, 445 West Gunnison Ave., Suite 221, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

# # #

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.