FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

03-15-10 1140AM

The Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the proposed Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion is now complete.

Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region partnered as lead agencies to conduct the environmental review of the project, with the participation of the California Department of Water Resources. The EIS/EIR evaluates the feasibility of expanding the Los Vaqueros Reservoir to enhance the Delta environment and improve water supply reliability and water quality for Bay Area water users.

In the Draft EIS/EIR released in February of 2009, four project alternatives were considered, including expansion of the existing 100,000-acre-foot reservoir to either 160,000 acre feet or 275,000 acre feet.

All significant issues have been evaluated, all comments received on the Draft EIS/EIR have been fully addressed, and the project is ready to move forward.

“This project is the most thoroughly studied water project in the state, “said CCWD General Manager Walter J. Bishop. “This is a significant milestone, and it comes at an important time for California water. With uncertainty in the Delta, an expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir would improve water supplies, create jobs and help the environment. The project stays true to what CCWD promised its customers when they voted to move forward by an overwhelming majority in 2004.”

The CCWD Board of Directors will consider certification of the Final EIR and project approval at its March 31 meeting. If the board decides to move forward with the alternative to expand the reservoir to 160,000 acre feet, providing immediate local benefits, this would not preclude possible future consideration of expansion to a larger size at a later date with commitments from partners regionally and statewide.

The Final EIS/EIR is available at www.lvstudies.com. For additional information or to request printed or CD copies of the Final EIS/EIR, call CCWD Special Projects Manager Marguerite Naillon at 925-688-8018 or e-mail mnaillon@ccwater.com.

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