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PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF BROADVIEW WATER DISTRICTa??S CVP WATER CONTRACT TO THE PAJARO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY

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

For Release: February 28, 2003

Reclamation and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA) will hold two Public Scoping meetings for the Assignment of the Broadview Water District's (BWD) Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Contract to PVWMA.

PVWMA proposes to purchase, on a willing-seller basis, 9,200 acres of lands within BWD and take assignment of BWD's CVP water contract for a total of 27,000 acre-feet per year of entitlement. The primary purpose is to provide PVWMA with an imported CVP water supply to meet its short- and long-term water management needs to bring existing and projected agricultural water demand and supply into balance and alleviate extensive sea water intrusion problems.

Reclamation and PVWMA are preparing a joint Environmental Assessment and Initial Study document that addresses the environmental impacts of the purchase of the lands within BWD and the permanent assignment of its associated CVP water supply contract to PVWMA. The document is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Reclamation, the NEPA lead agency, proposes to approve the assignment of BWD's CVP water contract to PVWMA. PVWMA, the CEQA lead agency, proposes to purchase the lands, enter into a contract with Reclamation for BWD's CVP water, take delivery of the water, and put it to beneficial use within its service area or within the CVP system.

Reclamation and PVWMA will conduct two Public Scoping meetings to give agencies and interested individuals an opportunity to obtain information about the scope of the Proposed Action/Project and provide input into the environmental review process. The public is invited to attend one or both of the Public Scoping meetings:

In Firebaugh Wednesday, March 12, 2003 7 p.m. Firebaugh Veterans Hall 1300 O Street

In Watsonville Thursday, March 13, 2003 7 p.m. Watsonville Senior Center 114 E. Fifth Street

Comments on the scope and the environmental review process should be submitted in writing to Mr. Charles McNiesh, PVWMA, 36 Brennan Street, Watsonville, California 95076 by March 31, 2003. For further information, please contact Mr. McNiesh at 831-722-9292 or e-mail mcniesh@pvwma.dst.ca.us.

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