[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37865-37866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18676]



[[Page 37865]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Availability of the Joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Santa Fe and Whittier 
Narrows Dams Water Conservation and Supply Study, Los Angeles County, 
California

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Los Angeles District, 
DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a joint DEIS/EIR 
and Feasibility Report with the Los Angeles County Department of Public 
Works (LACDPW) for the Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows Dams Water 
Conservation and Supply Study, in Los Angeles County, California. Santa 
Fe and Whittier Narrows Dams are two of the five Federal flood control 
dams in the Los Angeles County Drainage Area. Santa Fe Dam is located 
in the northeastern San Gabriel Valley on the San Gabriel River about 
four miles below the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon. Bordering communities 
include Irwindale, Baldwin Park, Duarte, and Azusa. Whittier Narrows 
Dam is located approximately seven miles downstream of Santa Fe Dam and 
spans both the San Gabriel River and the Rio Hondo. Flood control is 
the primary purpose for both dams. A water conservation pool has been 
authorized at Whittier Narrows Dam at elevation 201.6 feet. No water 
conservation pool currently exists at Santa Fe Dam. Both dams also 
include extensive recreational facilities and wildlife management or 
nature study areas. The proposed action considered in this DEIS/EIR 
involves the temporary storage of water in the reservoirs at Santa Fe 
and Whittier Narrows Dams after the main flood season has passed during 
the flood season when flood forecasting predicts that there would be no 
reasonable expectation of additional rainfall at the end of a storm. 
The stored water would be released at a slower rate to recharge for 
spreading basins associated with each dam. The proposed water 
conservation project would not reduce the effectiveness of either dam 
to provide flood protection.
    The preferred alternative at Santa Fe Dam would establish a buffer 
pool and seasonal pool at elevation 463.0 feet. Historic records 
indicate that inundation to elevation 463.0 feet is frequent enough to 
provide substantial water yields for cost-effective downstream ground 
water discharge. An interior levee would be constructed to protect 
recreation and Wildlife Management areas from inundation. The bottom of 
the levee would be at elevation 446.8 feet nearest the toe of the dam, 
and the top of the levee would be at elevation 466.0 feet. The top of 
the levee would be armored to eliminate the need for overtopping 
protection. The average annual water yield increase for this 
alternative is estimated at 2,400 acre feet (AF).
    The preferred alternative at Whittier Narrows Dam would use the 
existing 201.6-foot elevation water conservation pool for water 
conservation whenever significant amounts of water are available and 
not precluded by other constraints. In addition, a buffer pool and 
seasonal pool would be established at elevation 209 feet. Protective 
measures for motors at the water reclamation plant and mitigation for 
18 oil wells would be included. Approximately 951 feet (331 Meters) of 
Durfee Road would need to be raised to elevation 212 feet, which 
includes three feet for overtopping protection, to maintain traffic 
flow when water is stored at the maximum seasonal or buffer pool 
elevation. The average annual water yield increase for this alternative 
is estimated at 3,500 AF.
    Anticipated significant environmental impacts include loss of 
alluvial scrub habitat at Santa Fe Dam and increased sedimentation at 
Whittier Narrows Dam. These impacts would be mitigated. No significant 
environmental health effects are expected to occur.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For further information on the Draft Feasibility Report, please contact 
Ms. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 
Attn: CESPL-PD-WA, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-
2325, telephone (213) 452-3798. For further information on the Draft 
EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-2325, 
telephone (213) 452-3869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a 
Draft EIS/EIR to assess the environmental effects associated with the 
proposed water conservation and supply at Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows 
Dams. The public will have the opportunity to comment on this Draft 
EIS/EIR before any action is taken to implement the proposed plan.

    The Army Corps of Engineers conducted a scoping meeting prior to 
preparing the in the city of El Monte Draft EIS/EIR to aid in 
determining the significant environmental issues associated with the 
proposed action. The meeting was held in the city of El Monte, 
California, on March 23, 1995.
    The Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a public hearing to 
receive comments on the Draft EIS/EIR in conjunction with the public 
meeting to present the Feasibility Report. The public hearing and 
meeting will take place at the El Monte Community Center, 3130 Tyler 
Avenue, El Monte, California, on August 12, 1998 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 
PM. The location, date, and time of the public hearing and meeting will 
also be announced in the local media, and separate notice will be sent 
to all parties on the project mailing list.
    Individuals and agencies may present oral or written comments 
relevant to the Draft EIS/EIR by attending the public hearing or by 
mailing comments to the Corps prior to August 28, 1998. Comments, 
suggestions, and requests to be placed on the mailing list for 
announcements should be sent to Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325.
    Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR: Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are 
availability for review at the following locations:

Baldwin Park Community Library, 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, 
California
Pico Rivera Community Library, 9001 Mines Avenue, Pico Rivera, 
California
El Monte Community Library, 3224 Tyler Avenue, El Monte, California
Norwood Public Library, 4550 N Peck Road, EL Monte, California
South El Monte Community Library, 1430 N. Central Avenue, South El 
Monte, California
Duarte Community Library, 1301 Buena Vista Street, Duarte, California
South Whittier Community Library, 14433 Leffingwell Road, Whittier, 
California
Azusa City Library, 729 N. Dalton Avenue, Azusa, California
Irwindale Public Library, 5050 North Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, 
California
West Covina Public Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, 
California
Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library, 630 W 5th Street, Los 
Angeles, California
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Environmental 
Resources Branch, 911 Wilshire Boulevard, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, 
California
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Planning Division, 900 
South Fremont Avenue, 11th Floor, Alhambra, California


[[Page 37866]]


    To obtain a copy of the Draft EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. Deborah 
Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-
PD-WA, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-2325, telephone 
(213) 452-3798. Please address written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR, 
to Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 
90053-2325, Fax number (213) 452-4204.

    Dated: July 7, 1998.
Robert L. Davis,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 98-18676 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
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