The Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Bypass Project has received a $93 million construction contract from the Bureau of Reclamation intended to “improve fish passage” in the San Joaquin River, according to the bureau’s press release.
These funds follow mandates related to facilitating the movement of fish in the 2006 San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement and the 2009 San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act.
As it is now, the Sack Dam inhibits migrating salmonids in the San Joaquin River. In this new construction project, settlement terms will require the bureau to build a “fish bypass channel” around the dam while also installing a “fish screen” to prevent fish from being pulled into the Arroyo Canal, the press release said.
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“The Settlement and Settlement Act represent a positive partnership between water users, environmental groups, the federal government, and the State of California,” said David Palumbo, acting commissioner at the Bureau of Reclamation. “We look forward to these relationships advancing the cause of multi-benefit programs on the San Joaquin River and beyond.”
The contract has been heralded by California politicians such as Rep. Adam Gray as a “huge win” for California’s Central Valley. Gray said the project will improve water access for those in the region while also positively affecting fish passage in the river.
Project construction is slated to start in September and is projected to be completed in three years.
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