MP-01-024

Jeffrey S. McCracken

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2001

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT ISSUED FOR ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL WATER FOR MEETING THE SAN JOAQUIN RIVER AGREEMENT FLOW OBJECTIVES

Reclamation and the San Joaquin River Group Authority have jointly released a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/EIR) for the acquisition of additional water for meeting the San Joaquin River Agreement flow objectives for 2001-2010.

This supplemental document addresses a Proposed Project/Action to acquire additional water beyond that covered in the prior Final EIS/EIR released in January 1999, and which documented the environmental consequences of acquiring and using flows specified in the San Joaquin River Agreement. The supplemental water addressed in the SEIS/EIR consists of up to 47,000 acre-feet from the Tuolumne and Merced rivers to provide full Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan test flow conditions at Vernalis during "double step years" for water years 2001 through 2010.

Prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act, the Final SEIS/EIR describes the potential environmental impacts, both beneficial and adverse, associated with the Proposed Project/Action. The Final SEIS/EIR includes all comments received during the 45-day public review period for the Draft SEIS/EIR and responses to those comments.

No decision will be made on the Proposed Action until 30 days after release of the Final SEIS/EIR. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision setting forth the action to be implemented and discussing all factors leading to the decision.

To request a copy of the document, please call 800/742-9474 (or 916/978-5117) and enter 26, or access the document on our website at: www.mp.usbr.gov/calfed/index.html. For additional information contact Dan Meier at 916-978-5559 (TDD 916/978-5608).