2014 Westside Regional Drainage Plan-San Joaquin River Salinity Management

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The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to issue a grant agreement to the Panoche Drainage District, under the authority of catalog for domestic assistance (CFDA) 15.507, WaterSmart (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow). Estimated amount: $3,800,000.00. Reclamation proposes to fund this project for the continuation of projects that will manage and reduce salinity in the lower San Joaquin River. The federal investment in 2014 will continue to fund the development of the San Joaquin River Drainage Improvement Project (SJRIP) that has controlled agricultural drainage by the recipient, sustained agricultural crop production in the Grasslands Drainage Area (GDA) and significantly improved water quality in the San Joaquin River and surrounding wetlands. The recipient will use federal and non-federal match funds for objectives listed in the 2003 Westside Regional Drainage Plan: Source Control, Groundwater Management, Re-use of Drainage Water (SJRIP infrastructure, SJRIP Land Development, Environmental Mitigation), plus administrative costs. Federal funds will be used for projects including rehabilitation of two pump systems, purchase of 50,000 feet of surface irrigation pipe and two portable pumps, planting up to 909 acres of salt tolerant crops, filling-in 2.5 miles of unneeded drainage ditch, and concrete lining of 1.8 miles of earthen drainage ditches. Previous federal grants have funded many WRDP objectives that have resulted in significant reductions in the volume of drainage water discharged from the DGDA to the San Joaquin River. Similar significant reductions in contaminant loads have been documented by federal and state regulatory agencies. A Determination by the Government not to compete this proposed financial assistance based upon Departmental Manual 505 DM 2, paragraph 2.14(B)(2) is solely within the discretion of the Government. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Beverly S. Breen/Grants Management Specialist, by email at bbreen@usbr.gov.

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