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2 CA 1 1 . Grasslands Water District. Acreage: 75,000. 

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O Location: Merced County; Los Banos, Delta Ranch, and Dos Palos quadrangles; 



— : Los Banos is near the center of the area; site may be reached via 1-5 and Rt. 



< 152. 



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Description: This area is the most important waterfowl wintering area in the San 

 Joaquin Valley. It is formed by the flood plain of the San Joaquin River and is 

 composed of flat grazing land interspersed with ponds, sloughs, swales, and 

 meandering stream beds. Much of it is managed for waterfowl management and 

 cattle grazing. The prime habitat is found on the Grasslands Water District 

 which distributes water to 138 duck clubs, totaling 46,000 acres, and on the 

 state waterfowl areas (Los Banos, San Luis Wasteway) and federal refuges (San 

 Luis and Merced). There is probably no finer example of cooperation between 

 private and public groups in preserving wetlands habitat. References: Waterfowl 

 conservation in the Lower San Joaquin Valley. 1950. U.S. Department of the In- 

 terior report, Washington, D.C. 



Encroachments: At one time this area was threatened by the loss of water for 

 the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project. However, through the 

 efforts of conservationists, Congress passed the "Grasslands Bill," Public Law 

 674, which allocated water for waterfowl management on this area. 



Ownership: Private duck clubs, state, and BSFW. 



Data source: Frank M. Kozlik, Department of Fish and Game, 1416 Ninth St., 

 Sacramento, Cal. 95814. 



Other knowledgeable persons: Mr. J. Martin Winton, Chairman, Grasslands 

 Water District, 4233 East Tulare St., Fresno, Cal. 93700. 



