[Federal Register: September 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 175)] [Notices] [Page 48521] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10se98-109] [[Page 48521]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Contra Costa Water District Multi-Purpose Pipeline Project, Contra Costa County, California AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft environmental impact report/draft environmental impact statement (DEIR/DEIS) DES 98-39. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) have prepared a joint DEIR/DEIS for CCWD's Multi-Purpose Pipeline Project (MPP). The proposed action is for CCWD to construct and operate two water pipelines and supporting pumping facilities. These facilities are required to supplement the Contra Costa Canal and to provide improved water transmission reliability to meet needs following an emergency (such as an earthquake or fire) and to provide adequate capacity to meet projected demand through the year 2020. The DEIR/DEIS describes and presents the environmental effects of three alternatives, including no action. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from interested parties, organizations, and individuals on the environmental impacts of the proposal. DATES: Submit written comments on the DEIR/DEIS on or before November 9, 1998. Comments may be submitted to Reclamation or CCWD at the addresses provided below. The public hearing on the DEIR/DEIS will be held on October 13, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Bay Point/Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point, California. Written comments on the DEIR/DEIS should be addressed to Ms. Christina Ko Hartinger, Contra Costa Water District, 2300 Stanwell Drive, Concord CA 94524 or to Mr. Bob Eckart, Bureau of Reclamation, MP-152, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825. Copies of the DEIR/DEIS may be requested from Ms. Hartinger at the above address or by calling (925) 688-8335. Copies of the DEIR/DEIS are available for public inspection and review at the following locations: Contra Costa Water District, 2300 Stanwell Drive, Concord CA 94524; telephone: (925) 688-8335 Bureau of Reclamation, Program Analysis Office, Room 7456, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240; telephone: (202) 208-4662 Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver CO 80225; telephone: (303) 445-2064 Bureau of Reclamation, Regional Director, Attention: MP- 140, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 978- 5100 Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Main Interior Building, Washington DC 20240-0001 Copies will also be available for inspection at the following public libraries: Antioch Branch Library, 501 W-18th Street, Antioch CA 94509 Bay Point Branch Library, 205 Pacifica Avenue, Pittsburg CA 94565 Pittsburg Branch Library, 80 Power Avenue, Pittsburg CA 94565 Oakley Branch Library, 118 East Ruby, Oakley CA 94561 Concord Branch Library, 2900 Salvio, Concord CA 94519 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob Eckart, Bureau of Reclamation, at (916) 978-5051 or Ms. Christina Ko Hartinger, Contra Costa Water District, at (925) 688-8335. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MPP involves construction and operation of two new pipelines and pump stations along with other improvements to the existing Contra Costa Canal (Canal). The project would increase the reliability and capacity of the District's raw-water delivery system to meet existing and new customer needs. The proposed 20-mile, 36-inch diameter, welded steel, multipurpose pipeline would extend from Oakley to Clyde. The DEIR/DEIS evaluates two alternatives (Canal Alignment and Street Alignment) and two sub-alternatives (Bay Point Pipeline Alignment and Mallard Pipeline Alignment) and a no-action alternative. The MPP would be designed with emergency connections to the Canal and with connection points to allow future inter-ties with the treated- water systems in Antioch, Pittsburg, and Bay Point. A 25 million- gallon-per-day (mgd) MPP pump station would be constructed and is proposed to pump water from the Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant clearwell through the MPP to the Treated Water Service Area. A proposed 36-inch diameter, 36-mgd raw-water pipeline would be constructed to bypass an existing bottleneck along the Canal. A raw-water pump station would be constructed to pump water from the Canal into the raw-water pipeline. A third motorized canal gate would be installed at six of the seven check structures to increase flow rates of the Canal. The existing Neroly Blending Facility would be improved by installing mixing structures and widening the Canal up to 7 feet along a section measuring a maximum of 250 feet. Hearing Process Information CCWD staff will make a brief presentation to describe the proposed project, its purpose and need, alternative pipeline alignments, and scenarios for construction and operation. The public may comment on environmental issues addressed in the DEIR/DEIS. If necessary due to large attendance, comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker. Written comments will also be accepted. Dated: September 1, 1998. John F. Davis, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 98-24292 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-94-P