The Bureau of Reclamation and the Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District have completed negotiation of their Sacramento River Settlement contract. The proposed contract is for annual delivery of up to 121,000 acre-feet of base supply and 7,000 acre-feet of project water for agricultural purposes for 40 years. The contract was negotiated in accordance with the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and is available for a 60-day public review and comment period.

Significant terms of the contract include: an initial 40-year term of contract; Central Valley Project (CVP) water to be priced at an annually adjusted cost-of-service rate; payment of a charge to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Restoration Fund; opportunities for contractors to engage in water management activities such as transfers, water banking, and ground-water recharge; and communication, cooperation, and coordination between the parties to improve management and operation of the CVP.

The form of contract is available online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html, click on 2004 Settlement Contractors Forms of Contract and scroll to Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District. Written comments must be received by close of business on Monday, December 6, 2004, and should be sent to: Mr. Donald Bultema, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 988, Willows CA 95988. Comments may also be faxed to Mr. Bultema at 530-934-1302 or e-mailed to dbultema@mp.usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the forms of contract, contact Mr. Bultema at 530-934-7066, TDD 530-934-1345. Negotiations continue for the renewal of the remaining CVP long-term water service contracts. Additional information on Reclamation's contract renewal process can be accessed online at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3404c/index.html.