Name: 

Organization (If applicable): 

Address: 

Phone: ( ) Fax: ( ) 

E-mail: 

Date: 

Comment: 

LONG-TERM NORTH TO SOUTH WATER 

TRANSFERS EIS/EIR COMMENT SHEET

There are several options to provide written comments. You can provide your written comments 

by turning in this form at the scoping meeting. You may also e-mail your comments directly to 

bhubbard@usbr.gov or frances.mizuno@sldmwa.org with the subject line “Long-Term North to 

South Water Transfers” or mail this form to the Bureau of Reclamation (mailing address is on the 

back of this card). Whatever method you choose, please note that all written comments must be 

received by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) on February 28, 2011.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMENTS BECOME PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD.
Long-Term North to South Water Transfers EIS/EIR

Brad Hubbard

Bureau of Reclamation 

2800 Cottage Way, MP-410

Sacramento, CA 95825

Please fold, staple, stamp, and mail.

Place

First Class 

Stamp Here
Long-Term Water Transfers EIS/EIR

Public Scoping Meetings

RECLAMATION

Managing Water in the West

Chico

January 11, 2011

Sacramento

January 12, 2011

Los Banos

January 13, 2011

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority
Meeting Agenda

• Introductions

• Presentation

– Project Overview

– Schedule

– EIS/EIR Development Process

• Open House
Meeting Purpose

• Provide information about long-term transfer 

combined EIS/EIR

• Gather information from the public on alternatives 

and potential environmental issues

• Answer questions about transfers
Background

• Reclamation is not purchasing water under this 

project

• Reclamation is approving transfers

• Recent History

– 2009 – Drought Water Bank

– 2010 – Environmental Assessment for CVP-related transfers 

in 2010-2011

– 2012 – EIS/EIR for CVP-related transfers in 2012-2022
Purpose and Need

• Hydrologic and climatic variability, as well as 

regulatory restrictions, can strain water supplies 

• In an effort to be more prepared to manage for water 

shortages caused by decreases in water delivery 

from the CVP, various water agencies have 

requested that Reclamation facilitate water transfers

• The purpose of the Proposed Action is to facilitate 

voluntary water transfers from willing sellers north 

of the Delta to water users south of the Delta and the 

San Francisco Bay Area
Project Overview

• EIS/EIR to analyze the 

effects of CVP-related 

water transfers

• Project timeframe is 

from 2012 to 2022

Sacramento River

Potential areas where

transfer water could originate

Delta Region

San Joaquin River

Potential areas 

that could

purchase 

transfers
Project Overview

• Reclamation is not initiating a “bank” or “program”

• Buyers and sellers are responsible for negotiating 

transfer terms, including transfer method, amount, 

period, and price

• SLDMWA will be responsible for negotiating 

transfers on behalf of potential buyers that are 

Member Agencies

• Reclamation and DWR will be responsible for 

approving transfers under their jurisdiction and for 

use of CVP and SWP facilities required for the 

transfers
Transfers in EIS/EIR

• CVP water supplies

• Non-CVP water supplies that require use of CVP or 

SWP facilities (including Warren Act contracts)

• Single year or multi-year transfers

• Transfers would not necessarily occur each year 

within the project timeframe

• Total annual transfers likely in the range of 100,000 

to 150,000 acre feet

• Transfers of SWP water will not be directly analyzed 

in the EIS/EIR (all transfers will be included in the 

cumulative analysis)
Project Agencies

• NEPA 

– Lead Agency – Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)

• CEQA 

– Lead Agency – San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority 

(SLDMWA)

– Responsible Agency – California Department of Water 

Resources (DWR)
Project Schedule

Project Milestone Proposed Date

NOI and NOP December 2010

Scoping Meetings

Chico, CA

Sacramento, CA

Los Banos, CA

January 11, 2011

January 12, 2011 

January 13, 2011 

Draft EIS/EIR July 2011

Public Meetings on Draft EIS/EIR August 2011

Final EIS/EIR January 2012

ROD and NOD February 2012
Environmental Review Purpose

• Evaluate reasonable alternatives that could reduce 

or avoid environmental impacts

• Provide information for public review and comment

• Identify any significant environmental impacts

• Disclose to decision makers the impacts, benefits, 

mitigation, and public comments
EIS/EIR Development Process

Define 

Purpose and 

Need/Project 

Objectives 

Develop 

Project 

Alternatives

Describe 

Affected 

Environment/ 

Environmental 

Setting 

Analyze 

Project 

Impacts

Analyze 

Cumulative 

Effects

Develop 

Mitigation 

Measures
Open House Stations

• Station 1: Overview

• Station 2: Transfer Types and Resources to be 

Analyzed

• Station 3: Process, Schedule, and Comments
How to Submit Comments

• Tonight: state oral comments to court reporter or fill 

out a comment form

• By February 28, 2011:

– Mr. Brad Hubbard

Bureau of Reclamation

2800 Cottage Way

Sacramento, CA 95825, MP-410

bhubbard@usbr.gov

Fax: (916)978-5290

– Ms. Frances Mizuno

San Luis & Delta-Mendota 

Water Authority

P.O. Box 2157

Los Banos, CA 93635

frances.mizuno@sldmwa.org

Fax: (209)826-9698/ 

(209)832-6200
Thank You for Your Participation