Water purchased under the agreement will be used to meet Reclamation’s requirement to provide level 4 water supplies as required by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act for habitat management.
Reclamation has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment which details Reclamation’s proposed action to enter into an agreement with Merced Irrigation District for the temporary water acquisition through Oct. 31, 2017.
The purpose of the water acquisition is to enhance and maintain wetland habitats for the benefit of migratory waterfowl and wetland-dependent wildlife in the San Joaquin Valley. Water purchased under the agreement will be used to meet Reclamation’s requirement to provide level 4 water supplies as required by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act for habitat management. Habitat management includes timing and duration of fall and late winter flooding, summer water for food production, and permanent wetland habitat maintenance.
