News Release Archive

Reclamation announces 60-day comment period for Central Valley Project San Felipe Division draft contract

Media Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov

For Release: December 18, 2020

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation announced today ongoing congressionally mandated contract conversions pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Today’s release includes a draft repayment contract from a Central Valley Project San Felipe Division contractor for a 60-day public comment period. The Santa Clara Valley Water District is one of over 90 repayment contract conversions requested by federal CVP contractors.

Reclamation plans to release additional draft repayment contracts with contractors, as applicable for public review.

Section 4011 of the WIIN Act directs Reclamation to convert water service contracts to repayment contracts upon a contractor’s request and authorizes prepayment of outstanding CVP construction costs. Under Section 4011, full repayment is due within three years of the contract conversion.

Both the prepayment and accelerated repayment of the contracts will result in the federal government being repaid well in advance of the original repayment deadline. These dollars will be placed in an account to fund much-needed storage projects. Increasing storage capacity will allow Reclamation’s projects to capture additional water in wet years to help meet the water needs for project purposes in dry years.

Written comments on this contract must be received by close of business on February 16, 2021, and sent to Erma Leal, South Central California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno CA 93721 or faxed to 559-262-0371 or emailed to eleal@usbr.gov. Check the following links to learn more about WIIN Act CVP contract conversions.

All negotiated contracts are available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/wiin-act/negotiated-conversion-contracts.html.

The entire list of contract conversion requests can be viewed here: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/wiin-act/docs/the-wiin-act-9d-conversion-tracker.xlsx.

View contract and WIIN Act information at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/wiin-act/.

Contact Leal for more information at 559-262-0350 (TTY 800-877-8339) or eleal@usbr.gov.

# # #

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.