Sacramento, California - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Environmental Assessment for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program’s (SJRRP) 10-year plan to sell and exchange Unreleased Restoration Flows (or URFs).

The URFs are generated when SJRRP Restoration Flows cannot be released due to channel capacity constraints. Per the settlement in Natural Resources Defense Council, et al. v. Kirk Rodgers, et al., URFs will be used to best serve the SJRRP, to include selling or exchanging the water, with priority given to Friant Division long-term contractors.

Since its inception, the SJRRP has been actively addressing downstream constraints that limit Restoration Flows. The quantity of URFs in future years is expected to decline as channel capacity constraints are improved.

The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=24235. If you encounter problems accessing the document, 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..

Comments are due by close of business Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Please send comments to Chad Moore, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to Moore at 916-978-5469 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For additional information or to request a copy of the document, please call 916-978-5467 (TTY 800-877-8339).

The SJRRP is a comprehensive long-term effort to restore San Joaquin River flows from Friant Dam to its confluence with the Merced River, and restore a self-sustaining Chinook salmon population, while reducing or avoiding adverse water supply impacts from its Restoration Flows. More information is available at www.restoresjr.net.