Notice of Availability & Notice of Public Hearings for Draft EIS/EIR for Long-Term Water Transfers

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What the NorthState gained from AquAlliance’s water transfer lawsuit this year has been released: the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 10-Year Water Transfer Plan’s Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR). This form of environmental review requires more analysis and disclosure of impacts for a project – our attempt to force some honesty. AquAlliance sued the Bureau in 2014 because it and the state have been transferring water in 12 of the last 14 years, claiming that they were “temporary” transfers and therefore they only needed minimal or no environmental review. Our lawsuit changed that.

Now we will have a 60-day comment period to analyze and comment on the large EIS/EIR.

The 10-Year Water Transfer Program seeks to transfer up to 600,000 acre-feet per year from the NorthState to desert agriculture in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. The 10-year water transfer total is equivalent to what a city the size of Chico would use in 200 years!

AquAlliance has been preparing for this challenge and we hope that all of you will support our efforts on your behalf. We plan to disclose all vulnerabilities in the EIS/EIR and prepare to litigate if necessary..

Three hearings to receive oral or written comments will be held by the Bureau of Reclamation:

  • Sacramento: Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 2-4pm – Quality Inn & Suites at Cal Expo, 1413 Howell Avenue – (916) 922-9833
  • Los Banos: Thursday, October 16, 2014, 6-8pm – San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, 842 Sixth Street – (209) 826-9696
  • Chico: Tuesday, October 21, 6-8pm – Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Avenue – (530) 34207143

Send written comments or requests for copies to Mr. Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 or via e-mail to bhubbard@usbr.gov.

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