The US Bureau of Reclamation has proposed to acquire up to 8,863 acre-feet of water for the East Bear Creek Unit of the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.
Reclamation has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment which details its proposed action to enter into an amended agreement with Merced Irrigation District for the temporary water acquisition through Aug. 25, 2018.
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 for habitat management, as required by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act.
Habitat management includes timing and duration of fall and late winter flooding, summer water for food production and permanent wetland habitat maintenance.