The Bureau of Reclamation and the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (successor to the Plain View Water District) have completed negotiation of a long-term water service renewal contract for approximately 20,600 acre-feet of Central Valley Project (CVP) water. The contract was negotiated and completed under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and is available for a 60-day public review and comment period.

Significant terms of the contract include: an initial 25-year term for irrigation and mixed irrigation and municipal and industrial contracts; tiered water pricing; opportunities for contractors to engage in water management activities such as transfers, water banking, and ground-water recharge; project water measurement; and communication, cooperation, and coordination between the parties to improve management and operation of the CVP.

The form of contract is available on-line at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html; click on 2004 Forms of Contract and scroll to the desired contract. Written comments must be received by close of business on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, and should be sent to Mr. Richard Stevenson, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-440, Sacramento CA 95825. Comments may also be e-mailed to rstevenson@mp.usbr.gov or faxed to 916-978-5292. To request a copy of the form of contract, please contact Ms. Nancy Anderson at 916-978-5254, TDD 916-978-5608.

Negotiations continue for the renewal of the remaining CVP long-term water service contracts. Additional information on the contract renewal process can be accessed online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.