Sacramento, California - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Environmental Assessment for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program’s (SJRRP) plan to recapture a portion of its Restoration Flows at Patterson and/or Banta-Carbona irrigation districts in 2016. Restoration Flows are intended to maintain fish populations in good condition from below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River.

The project involves recapturing Restoration Flows at the districts’ screened facilities and conveying them to the Delta-Mendota Canal and San Luis Reservoir where they will be made available for recirculation to the Friant Division long-term contractors. The project is consistent with the SJRRP’s Water Management Goal, to reduce or avoid adverse water supply impacts to all Friant Division long-term contractors that may result from Restoration Flows.

The SJRRP’s Restoration Flows and Water Management Goal are part of a settlement between parties, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Friant Water Authority, the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S Department of Commerce.

The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=24095. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written comments are due by close of business on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, to Becky Victorine, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to 916-978-5469 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For additional information, please contact Ms. Victorine at 916-978-4624.

For information on the SJRRP, please visit www.restoresjr.net.