Sacramento, California - The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Firebaugh Canal Water District First Lift Canal Lining Project Phase 3. The EA details Reclamation’s proposed CALFED Water Use Efficiency grant of $500,000 to the District to reduce canal seepage and improve water reliability. The public was provided an opportunity to review and comment on the EA from November 10-24, 2015; no comments were received.

The grant will partially fund the concrete lining of approximately 1.5 miles of the First Lift Canal of the District’s Lift System, from Shaw Avenue to the Check 1 structure immediately east of Highway 33. Grant funds would also go towards replacing control structures along the canal in order to reduce seepage losses, reduce subsurface drain water discharges to the local perched saline water table, and improve water management capabilities. The project will improve water management and enable the District’s growers to convert to high-efficiency irrigation systems.

The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=23479. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For questions on the project or to request a copy of the EA and FONSI, please contact Alexandra Aviles at 916-978-5056 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..