SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared a draft environmental assessment for San Joaquin River Restoration Program seepage management actions up to 2020.
The program’s Restoration Flow releases are currently constrained based on the potential for groundwater seepage impacts to lands adjacent to the San Joaquin River. The purpose of implementing the proposed actions are to account for potential seepage impacts, and enable Restoration Flow releases up to 1,300 cubic feet per second.
Based on landowner input, seepage management actions currently being evaluated include the purchase of easements allowing for higher groundwater tables underneath crops as a result of the release of Restoration Flows or purchase of land affected by groundwater seepage on a willing seller basis.
The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=27373. More information on the Seepage Management Plan is available at: http://www.restoresjr.net/monitoring-data/groundwater-monitoring/. If you encounter problems accessing the documents, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.
Comments are due by close of business Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, to rvictorine@usbr.gov. Comments may also be mailed to Becky Victorine, Bureau of Reclamation, MP-170, 2800 Cottage Way W-1727, Sacramento, CA 95825 or faxed to 916-978-5469. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA, please contact Victorine at 916-978-4624.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
