Mid-Pacific Region News Releases

Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Begin Removing the Stanislaus Afterbay Dam Located on Reclamation Land

ANGELS CAMP, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company has notified the Bureau of Reclamation of its schedule for demolishing and removing the Stanislaus Afterbay Dam on the upper arm of the Stanislaus River, approximately 12 miles east of Angels Camp, Calif., between Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. The dam is located on Reclamation land within the New Melones Lake Area and is part of the Spring Gap-Stanislaus Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission No. 2130, owned by PG&E.

The timber-faced, steel-buttress dam, built in 1962, is obsolete and no longer fulfills its intended function, which was to buffer the flows from the Stanislaus Powerhouse. The dam is submerged when flows in the Stanislaus River are greater than 800 cubic feet per second, and it has been damaged by accumulated debris, including logs and tree branches. Further, FERC, PG&E and Reclamation have determined that the dam poses a public safety hazard.

PG&E is removing the dam in compliance with Article 302 of FERC Project No. 2130 – Spring Gap-Stanislaus Project’s operating license to enhance public safety and increase fish passage and public accessibility for recreation. The anticipated schedule follows:

Preparation work – Oct. 8-19 (daylight hours only)
Dam removal – Oct. 20-Nov. 4 (day and night operations)
Clean up and demobilize – Nov. 5-12 (daylight hours only).

The work will require extensive trucking with traffic controls along Camp Nine Road. Traffic delays of up to 30 minutes are possible; flaggers will hold traffic only when necessary. Truck traffic noise will only occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Because of the dam’s remote location, any noise impacts associated removal activities will be minor. The contractor will follow all best management practices to minimize construction impacts to local residents.

PG&E will coordinate with the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts (the Tri-Dam Project) and with the Northern California Power Agency on decreasing water releases from their respective dams during in-river activities. Decreases are anticipated to begin Oct. 20 and end Nov. 12. A qualified biologist will capture any stranded fish with dip nets and move them to an area downstream of the dam. Short-term, temporary disruptions to recreational activities may occur near the site.

For additional information, please see the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=7851 or contact Sandra Suchodolski, New Melones Recreation Resources Branch, at 209-536-9094 (TTY 800-877-8339) or ssuchodolski@usbr.gov, or Michael Decarlo, PG&E, at 801-518-6501 or M2DA@pge.com.

Central Valley Project Begins Water Year 2013 with 6.9 Million Acre-Feet of Storage (98 Percent of the 15-Year Average)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project began Water Year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 – Sept. 30, 2013) with approximately 6.9 million acre-feet of water (98 percent of the 15-year average on Oct. 1) in six key CVP reservoirs.

The total reservoir storage is the combined amount of water remaining at the end of WY 2012 in Shasta, Trinity, Folsom, New Melones and Millerton Reservoirs and the federal share of the joint federal/state San Luis Reservoir. The 15-year average carry-over for these reservoirs on Oct. 1 is 7.0 million acre-feet of storage. One acre-foot is the volume of water sufficient to cover an acre of land to a depth of 1 foot, enough water to sustain a typical California household of four for one year.

Two tables follow, one showing reservoir capacities and end-of-year storage comparisons for WY 2012 and 2011 for key CVP reservoirs and one comparing end-of-year storage for 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 1977 (the driest year).

CVP Reservoir Capacities and End of Water Year 2012 Storage in Million Acre-feet
Reservoirs	Annual Storage Comparisons						15-Year Average Storage
CVP Reservoirs and Capacities	2012	% of Capacity	% of 15 Yr Average	2011	% of Capacity	% of 15 Yr Average	1997-2012
Shasta 4.552	2.6	57	96	3.3	73	124	2.7
New Melones 2.42	1.5	62	97	2.1	85	128	1.6
Trinity 2.448	1.8	74	108	2.2	89	135	1.7
Folsom .977	.45	46	84	.74	76	135	.54
Millerton .52	.32	61	124	.36	68	148	.26
Federal San Luis .966	.25	26	78	.64	67	268	.32
Total 11.8	6.9	58	98	9.3	78	135	7.0

Comparison of Previous End-of-Year Storage
Million Acre-feet
2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	1977 (Driest Year)
6.9	9.3	7.4	4.8	4.1	1.5

Precipitation in WY 2012 was about 83 percent of the historic seasonal average or 41.6 inches as measured at eight key locations in Northern California from the Upper Sacramento River watershed near Shasta, Calif., to the American River watershed near Blue Canyon, Calif. (California Department of Water Resources’ Northern Sierra Nevada 8-Station Index). For the Friant Division, the precipitation total for the Huntington Lake station was 24.89 inches or 57 percent of the historic seasonal average.

During WY 2012, CVP powerplants generated about 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours. Project use consumed about 25 percent of this energy. The remaining energy was made available for marketing. The Mid-Pacific Region’s hydroelectric generators have a combined capacity of approximately 2.1 million kilowatts.

As WY 2013 gets under way, Reclamation will continue to monitor and evaluate hydrologic conditions as they develop. The initial forecast of CVP water supply allocations for the contract year (which begins March 1) will be made in late February. The allocation will be adjusted monthly or more often if warranted, to reflect the updated snowpack and runoff. The current allocations and other background information are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water.

For additional information on the end-of-year storage for specific reservoirs or for general information about Reclamation programs, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo or contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Informational Release: Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources Issue Decision Documents for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program; Agencies Select the Preferred Alternative

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have signed decision documents selecting the preferred alternative from the Final Program Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program for implementation.

The final environmental documents describe the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of implementing the Settlement in NRDC, et al., v. Kirk Rodgers, et al. that resolved more than 18 years of litigation related to Reclamation’s operation of Friant Dam and established the SJRRP.

Of the seven alternatives studied in the Final PEIS/R, Reclamation’s Record of Decision and DWR’s Notice of Determination select Alternative C1, the Preferred Alternative. This alternative includes the use of the river channel and bypass system to convey restoration flows and allows for recapture of these flows at existing facilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and in the San Joaquin River upstream of the Delta at existing facilities or at new facilities that may be constructed in the future. Alternative C1 provides the greatest flexibility in implementing the Settlement and the greatest opportunity to fulfill the purpose and need of the SJRRP.

Both the ROD and NOD are available on the SJRRP website at www.restoresjr.net. The ROD is also available on Reclamation’s website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=2940.

For additional information or to request a copy of the ROD, please contact Michelle Banonis, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898, 916-978-5457, TTY 916-978-5608, mbanonis@usbr.gov or at peisrcomments@restoresjr.net. To request a copy of the NOD and/or related CEQA documents, please contact Karen Dulik, DWR, at 559-230-3361 or kdulik@water.ca.gov.

The SJRRP is a comprehensive, long-term effort to restore flows to the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River (153 miles), restoring a self-sustaining Chinook salmon fishery in the river while reducing or avoiding adverse water supply impacts from the release of restoration flows. The SJRRP is being implemented by Reclamation, DWR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Clayton Regency Mobile Home Park Out-of-Area Service Agreement

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Clayton Regency Mobile Home Park Out-of-Area Service Agreement.

Reclamation proposes to permit the delivery of Central Valley Project water by Contra Costa Water District to customers outside of the district’s traditional service area to address public health concerns in accordance with the district’s approval from the Contra Costa County Local Area Formation Commission to extend service outside its jurisdictional boundary for the sole purpose of providing water service to the park. The district and the Clayton Regency Mobile Home Park would install and operate a water pipeline from the current service terminus to the mobile home park, located in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

The Draft EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=11090. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments may be mailed to Ben Lawrence, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721, e-mailed to blawrence@usbr.gov or faxed to NEPA staff at 559-487-5397. Comments are due by November 2, 2012. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Ben Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

Draft Environmental Documents for the Long-term Exchange Contract and License with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District Released for Public Review

TRACY, Calif. — The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for a long-term exchange contract with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) that would exchange Central Valley Project water for non-CVP water for delivery to a portion of the Tracy Hills Development for municipal and industrial use.

The proposed exchange contract would provide BBID operational flexibility and serve an annual water supply of up to 4,500 acre-feet, after conveyance losses, to Tracy Hills. The water, which would be exchanged at a point in the Delta-Mendota Canal, would either be directly delivered to the city of Tracy’s water treatment plant, prior to delivery to Tracy Hills, or would be stored in San Luis Reservoir for later delivery.

The proposed license would allow BBID to access federal land to install an aboveground pipeline on the DMC. The license would also allow BBID to maintain and operate the structure on Reclamation’s rights of way.

The Draft EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=11091. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments to Rain Healer at rhealer@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Healer, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA, 93721 or faxed to Healer at
559-487-5194. Comments are due by close of business Wednesday, October 31. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Healer at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for a Warren Act Contract for Transfer of Up to 10,000 acre-feet from Merced Irrigation District to Westlands Water District

FRESNO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Warren Act contract for transfer of up to 10,000 acre-feet of water from Merced Irrigation District to Westlands Water District.

Reclamation proposes to approve a Warren Act contract for the delivery, over a period of one year, of up to 10,000 acre-feet of Merced Irrigation District’s non-federal water to Westlands Water District. The water would be released from storage in Lake McClure/New Exchequer Dam and conveyed in the San Joaquin River to Patterson Irrigation District. Patterson would then convey the water to the Delta-Mendota Canal for delivery to Westlands.

The EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=11130. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Comments are due by close of business Friday, October 12. Comments may be emailed to Ben Lawrence at blawrence@usbr.gov or mailed to Lawrence at Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397.

For additional information or to request a copy of the EA/FONSI, please contact Lawrence at 559-487-5039 (TTY 800-735-2929). Copies of the EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.

Reclamation Schedules Negotiation Session with Conaway Preservation Group, LLC and Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation is initiating contract negotiations with the Conaway Preservation Group, LLC, for an amendment to the existing Sacramento River Settlement Contract to provide for the sale of 10,000 acre-feet of Conaway’s claim to the natural flow of the Sacramento River to the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency. Reclamation is also initiating negotiations with the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency for a new Sacramento River Settlement Contract resulting from the sale.

The negotiation session is scheduled as follows:

Sacramento
Friday, October 5
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Bureau of Reclamation Regional Office
Room E-2901
2800 Cottage Way

The public is welcome to attend these negotiations and will have the opportunity to provide comments to Reclamation regarding this contracting action. Participation instructions will be available at the session. Drafts of the proposed contracts will also be available at each session.

For additional information regarding the negotiations session or to obtain copies of the proposed contracts, please contact Natalie Wolder at 530-934-1356 or nwolder@usbr.gov.

Reclamation Announces Seasonal Changes to Park Hours and Seasonal Recreation Area Closures at New Melones Lake

SONORA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, has scheduled seasonal closures at New Melones Lake from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013. These closures will allow Reclamation to perform necessary maintenance tasks and provide time for natural resource recovery. Seasonal closures will take place at the following locations:

Tuttletown Recreation Area: Manzanita Campground, Chamise Campground, Oak Knoll Group Camp and Heron Point Day Use Area.

Glory Hole Recreation Area: Ironhorse Campground campsites 8 through 79, Big Oak Campground, Angels Creek Boat Launch, Osprey Point and Buck Brush Day Use Areas. All other locations will remain open year-round.

Beginning October 1, gates for both Recreation Areas will close at 10 p.m. From November 4, 2012, through March 10, 2013, gates for both Recreation Areas will close at 9 p.m.

The New Melones Visitor Center and Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m., and closed on Monday and Tuesday. The New Melones Lake Administration Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, CA 95370.

For information on activities, directions, pet restrictions or other questions, please call the visitor center at 209-536-9543 or the administration office at 209-536-9094 ext. 0 (TTY 800-877-8339) or visit the New Melones Lake website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.

Reclamation Announces Seasonal Changes to Park Hours and a Seasonal Recreation Area Closure at Lake Berryessa

NAPA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, has scheduled a seasonal closure for the north side of the Oak Shores Day Use Area at Lake Berryessa from October 15, 2012, through April 1, 2013. The south side of Oak Shores will continue to offer restroom facilities, picnic tables, barbeque grills, water access and a kayak hand launch. This seasonal closure allows Reclamation to perform necessary maintenance tasks and provides time for natural resource recovery. All other locations will remain open year-round.

Effective October 15 through November 3, gates for all Reclamation-operated recreation areas will close at 6 p.m. to reflect changes in daylight hours. From November 4, 2012, through March 10, 2013, gates for all Reclamation-operated recreation areas will close at 5 p.m. These recreation areas include Oak Shores Day Use Area, Smittle Creek Day Use Area and Eticuera Day Use Area. The Capell Cove Boat Launch Facility continues to be open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Dufer Point Visitor Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3p.m.

For information on activities, directions, pet restrictions or other questions, please call the visitor center at 707-966-2111 ext. 113 or the Lake Berryessa Administration Office at 707-966-2111 or visit the Lake Berryessa website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

The Lake Berryessa Administration Office will continue to be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 5520 Knoxville Road, Napa, CA 94558. Maps and information are available at both the administration office and the visitor center.

Long-Term Conveyance Agreement Completed for Kern National Wildlife Refuge Water Supplies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation in partnership with California Department of Water Resources have entered into a new long-term agreement running through the year 2028 for the conveyance of Central Valley Project Improvement Act water supplies for the Kern National Wildlife Refuge located in Kern County. Under this agreement, Reclamation will provide up to 30,500 acre-feet annually for conveyance by the Department of Water Resources.

The DWR will convey the water through the California Aqueduct for diversion by the Buena Vista Water Storage District. The District will continue the conveyance through their facilities for delivery to the boundary of the Kern NWR under a separate agreement with Reclamation.

This long-term agreement will ensure that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff at Kern NWR will meet their annual wildlife habitat management requirements by continuing to receive reliable water deliveries. These water supplies benefit a wide range of wildlife, supporting populations of migrating shorebirds and providing critical habitat for the advent of the first wintering waterfowl, northern pintails, which typically arrive in the San Joaquin Valley in mid-August. The water supplies will create sufficient flooded habitat to support approximately 100,000 ducks each winter, as well as high quality habitat in the spring for waterfowl and nesting colonial waterbirds such as the great blue heron and the white-faced ibis.

For additional information on the agreement, please contact Sonya Nechanicky, Bureau of Reclamation at 916-978-5559 (TTY 916-978-5608).

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents on Firebaugh Canal Water District 2nd Lift Canal Lining Project

FIREBAUGH, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released final environmental documents for the Firebaugh Canal Water District 2nd Lift Canal Project, a Bay-Delta Restoration Program: Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency Grant Project. The EA/FONSI were released for a 15-day public review on September 5, 2012; no comments were received.

The Project entails Reclamation providing grant funding for the concrete lining of 2.2 miles of canal to reduce seepage. In addition, to improve water management, FCWD will demolish an existing booster pump and install a new check structure to incorporate into their current Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system. The effort is located west of the community of Firebaugh, which encompasses approximately 22,000 acres on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in Fresno, Calif. The 2nd Lift Canal lining would begin at Douglas Avenue and continue to the 2nd Lift Canal Booster Pump.

The EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=10890. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to receive a copy of the EA/FONSI, please contact Shelly Hatleberg at 916-978-5050 or shatleberg@usbr.gov.

Reclamation’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Cross Channel Gates Testing and Operator Training Scheduled for September 20

WALNUT GROVE, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Cross Channel Gates testing and training is scheduled on Thursday, Sept. 20, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The testing will involve opening and closing the gates several times for functional checks and training of the operators. After testing, the gates will remain open until further notice.

The Delta Cross Channel, a feature of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project Delta Division, is used to divert Sacramento River water into a branch of the Mokelumne River. The Delta Cross Channel gates are normally raised on weekends to allow for the passage of boats.

For additional information on the Cross Channel Gates, please visit Reclamation’s Central Valley Operations Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo.

Reclamation Seeks Volunteer Boaters for Fourth Annual C.A.S.T. for Kids Fishing Event at Lake Berryessa

NAPA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, in partnership with the C.A.S.T. (Catch a Special Thrill) for Kids Foundation and Pleasure Cove Marina, will host a C.A.S.T. for Kids fishing event at Lake Berryessa on Saturday, October 13. Lake Berryessa is located in Napa County, Calif.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a national, non-profit organization whose goal is “to provide disabled or disadvantaged children with the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing” (http://www.castforkids.org/).

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Berryessa’s Pleasure Cove Marina. Each child will receive a fishing pole, tackle box, T-shirt and other prizesand spend the morning fishing with local anglers and volunteers. A free barbeque lunch will be served to participants, parents and volunteers in the afternoon.

Pre-registration is required for this event as availability is currently limited to 35 children. Reclamation is seeking boaters and fishermen who wish to volunteer their time and use of their boat. To register as a volunteer boater, please contact Jason Jordan, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at 707-966-2111, extension 143, orjgjordan@usbr.gov.

This C.A.S.T. for Kids event ties into the Department of the Interior’s “Let’s Move Outside” initiative, http://www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside, which was created to encourage children and their families to enjoy outdoor activities, which abound in every city, town andcommunity. Reclamation also supports President Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors”initiative, http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/, by providing recreational opportunities in the great outdoors, promoting stewardship of our natural resources and reconnecting Americans – especially our young people – with the riches the outdoors has to offer.

For information on Lake Berryessa, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

Reclamation Seeks Volunteer Boaters for Fourth Annual C.A.S.T. for Kids Fishing Event at Lake Berryessa

For information on Lake Berryessa, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for the American River Hatchery – New Hatchery Building

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the American River Hatchery – New Hatchery Building Project.

Reclamation proposes to approve the California Department of Fish and Game constructing a new hatchery building and associated infrastructure at the American River Hatchery. CDFG owns and operates the American River Hatchery to produce and stock trout throughout northern and central Calif. The proposed construction would occur at the existing hatchery facility.

CDFG’s proposed project is to construct a new hatchery building, add parking and restroom facilities compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, install a back-up generator and relocate fiber optic cables. The new hatchery building is required in order for CDFG to comply with California Fish and Game Code 13007, which mandates increased trout production.

The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are posted at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=10975. Reclamation has been experiencing technical problems with several Internet sites, including the NEPA site. If you are unable to access the documents online, please contact Patti Clinton at pclinton@usbr.gov or 916-989-7173 to request copies of the documents via e-mail.

Please send written comments to Patti Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630-1799, by close of business Friday, September 28. Comments may also be faxed to Clinton at 916-989-7208 or emailed to pclinton@usbr.gov.