Bureau of Reclamation July 13, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) are proposing to prepare a joint EIS/EIR, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to evaluate effects of the proposed Mendota Pool Bypass and Reach 2B Channel Improvements Project (Proposed Action) under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP or Program). The Proposed Action includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Mendota Pool Bypass and improvements, including the operation and maintenance of the San Joaquin River channel to allow Reach 2B to convey at least 4,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The purpose of the proposed action is to improve Reach 2B conveyance conditions enough to provide a capacity of at least 4,500 cfs with integrated floodplain habitat, and to convey restoration flows of at least 4,500 cfs around Mendota Pool from Reach 2B downstream to Reach 3. The planning and environmental review for the Proposed Action is authorized under section 3406(c)(1) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Title 34, (Pub. L. 102-575) and the San Joaquin River Restoration Act (SJRRA), included in Public Law 111-11. Construction of the Proposed Action is authorized under the SJRRA (Pub. L. 111-11). The Proposed Action is a component of the San Joaquin River Settlement.