[Federal Register: September 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 177)]
[Notices]
[Page 53730-53731]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se03-46]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-6643-8]
Public Input Requested on the Proposed Yucaipa Valley Water
District's Regional Non-Potable Water Distribution System Project,
Yucaipa, CA
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to initiate the scoping phase for public input
in
[[Page 53731]]
advance of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to fund
the construction of a non-potable water distribution system. The source
of the non-potable water would come from four sources: (1) A mixture of
advanced tertiary treated wastewater (recycled water) generated at the
Henry N. Wochholz Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP); (2) untreated
surface water; (3) untreated imported water from the State Water
Project; and (4) non-potable groundwater pumped from the Yucaipa
Management Zone Groundwater basin to a lesser degree. Currently, the
Yucaipa Valley Water District (District) discharges approximately 3.0
million gallons per day (mgd) of tertiary treated wastewater into San
Timoteo Creek from the WWTP via an outfall located approximately 1.5
miles upstream of Redlands Boulevard. Some or all of the tertiary
treated effluent would be withdrawn from San Timoteo Creek for use
within the non-potable water distribution system.
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Purpose: In accordance with Section 15082 of California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the District is the lead
agency in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for
the proposed Regional Non-Potable Water Distribution System Project. In
accordance with Section 1501.7 and 1508.22 of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. EPA is the lead agency in the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The District
and EPA are coordinating to prepare a joint EIR/EIS.
For Further Information, to Submit Comments, and To Be Placed on a
Project Mailing List, Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Borowiec, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code WTR-4, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, California, 94105-3901, Telephone: (415) 972-3419 or
FAX: (415) 947-3537 or E-mail at borowiec.elizabeth@epa.gov. Summary: This Notice is to announce EPA and the District's
intention to collect public comment in advance of preparing an EIS.
Need for Action: The Yucaipa Valley Water District is dependent on
local groundwater sources, surface water and imported water to meet the
potable water demands of its customers. Currently, these groundwater
basins are experiencing an overdraft of 3,000 acre-feet per year. The
proposed project would reduce the demand for potable water by up to
1,300 acre-feet per year under existing conditions.
Alternatives: The following proposed alternatives have been
tentatively defined:
1. ``Proposed Project''--A total of approximately 126,100 linear
feet of pipeline, eight reservoirs and four pump stations would be
constructed, maintained and operated to distribute non-potable water to
markets identified in the Water Master Plan as Phase I and II
customers. Approximately, 9,600 linear feet of pipeline would be
constructed to discharge water to San Timoteo Creek at the Live Oak
Road bridge crossing. Also, one existing reservoir (H-1) located near
the proposed Casa Blanca golf course would be converted from potable to
non-potable water storage, maintained and operated by the District as
part of the non-potable water distribution system.
2. ``A Reduced Distribution System Alternative''--A total of 39,900
linear feet of pipeline and two reservoirs would be constructed to
distribute non-potable water to markets identified in the Water Master
Plan as Phase I customers. Approximately, 9,600 linear feet of pipeline
would be constructed to discharge water to San Timoteo Creek at the
Live Oak Road bridge crossing. Also, one existing reservoir (H-1)
located near the proposed Casa Blanca golf course would be converted
from potable to non-potable water storage, maintained and operated by
the District as part of the non-potable water distribution system.
3. ``A No-Project Alternative''--Construction of a non-potable
water distribution system would not occur.
Scoping: EPA is requesting written comments from federal, state,
and local governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and
the general public on the need for action, the range of alternatives
considered, and the potential impacts of the alternatives. Scoping
comments will be accepted for 30 days, beginning with the date of this
Notice. A public scoping meeting is scheduled for this proposed project
on September 29, 2003 at 6:00 pm at the Yucaipa Valley Water District
at 12770 Second Street in Yucaipa, California. Because of the time
limits provided by State law, responses should be sent at the earliest
possible date, but not later than October 14, 2003.
Estimated Date of Draft EIS Release: Spring 2004.
Dated: September 8, 2003.
Janet Bearden,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-23308 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U