FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review draft Environmental Assessment and Finding Of No Significant Impact documents for the approval of a temporary change in the maximum acceptable concentration of selenium for groundwater pumped into the upper portion of the Delta-Mendota Canal. The temporary change is in response to drought conditions and would allow an additional 13 wells to collectively pump up to 30 cubic feet per second of groundwater through Aug. 30, 2015 (approximately 1,841 acre-feet per month).
A similar program was approved in 2014 that allowed 14 wells to pump groundwater into the upper portion of the DMC that had between 2 and 5 ppb of selenium. As shown in the EA for this proposal, the addition of groundwater from the 14 wells did not cause a measurable increase in selenium in the DMC. In addition, during the 2014 action concentration of selenium at Check 13 (O’Neill Forebay) did not exceed 0.4 ppb which is well below the water quality standard for human consumption of 50 ppb and wildlife of 2 ppb.
The draft EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. If you would like a copy of the documents, please contact Rain Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929).
Comments are due by close of business, Friday, July 24, 2015. Please email comments to remerson@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to Rain Emerson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 or faxed to 559-487-5397. Copies of the Draft EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Fresno office at the above address.
For additional information, please contact Emerson at 559-487-5196 (TTY 800-735-2929).
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
