[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 24845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11456]



[[Page 24845]]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE


Intent To Prepare a Draft Joint Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Los Angeles County 
Drainage Area Water Conservation and Supply Study, Whittier Narrows and 
Santa Fe Reservoirs, Los Angeles County, California

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District will prepare a joint EIS/EIR to 
evaluate the feasibility of establishing both a year-round water 
conservation pool and seasonal water supply pool at Whittier Narrows 
and Santa Fe Reservoirs. Both reservoirs are located in the San Gabriel 
Valley area of Los Angeles County and both are components of the Los 
Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) system. The study will also 
investigate the potential feasibility of integrating the operations of 
various county-operated detention facilities in the upper watershed 
with water conservation and supply at Whittier and Santa Fe. The study 
was developed in response to local concerns regarding future water 
supply sources, given continued regional population growth, dwindling 
imported water supplies, and continued increases in the cost of water. 
Establishment of water conservation at these reservoirs would increase 
groundwater reserves by extending the period water is available for 
release to downstream spreading grounds.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action and DEIS/EIR can be answered by: 
Ms. Colette Diede, Study Manager, (213) 894-5440, or Ms. Lois Goodman, 
Environmental Manager, (213) 894-0535, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, 
California 90053-22325.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

a. Authority

    Study authority is provided under authority of the Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations Act of 1993 (Public Law 102-377).

b. Proposed Action/Alternatives

    The proposed action for Santa Fe Reservoir is to utilize the 
existing debris pool up to elevation 456.0 NGVD for year-round water 
conservation and portions of the flood control pool up to the elevation 
459.0 NGVD on a seasonal basis for water conservation purposes.

    The proposed action for Whittier Narrows Reservoir would utilize 
the existing debris pool up to elevation 206.0 NGVD for year-round 
water conservation and portions of the flood control pool up to 
elevation 209.0 on a seasonal basis for water conservation purposes.

    Another element of this study would investigate the feasibility of 
integrating the operation of various county-run dentation basins in the 
upper watershed within the operations at Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows.

c. Scoping

    An extensive mailing list has been developed which includes 
Federal, State and local agencies and other interested public and 
private organizations and parties. Individuals on the mailing list will 
receive a copy of the initial notice and all subsequent notices 
announcing additional scoping meetings. An initial public scoping 
meeting was held on March 23, 1995. Additional public meetings will be 
scheduled during the review period for the draft EIS/EIR. Specific 
meeting dates, times, and places will be published in local newspapers. 
Formal coordination with the appropriate Federal, State and local 
agencies has begun.

d. Potentially Significant Issues

    Potentially significant issues identified include impacts to land 
and water use, biological resources including endangered species and 
riparian resources, and recreation and cultural resources.

e. Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR

    The draft EIS/EIR is expected to be available to the public for 
review and comment beginning in September of 1997.

f. Comments

    Comments and questions regarding the project may be addressed to: 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, ATTN: Ms. Colette 
Diede, CESPL-PD-WA, or Ms. Lois Goodman, CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 2711, 
Los Angeles, California 90053-2325.

    Dated: April 14, 1995.

Michael R. Robinson,

Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.

[FR Doc. 95-11456 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am]

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