[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19744-19745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9746]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Seven Oaks Dam Water 
Conservation and Supply Study, San Bernardino, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District will prepare a EIS/EIR to evaluate 
the feasibility of establishing a seasonal water conservation and 
supply pool at Seven Oaks Dam. The dam, which is currently under 
construction, is the upstream component of the Santa Ana River Mainstem 
Project (SARP), and is located in the San Bernardino National Forest 
along the upper Santa Ana River at the base of the San Bernardino 
Mountains. 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 a seasonal water 
conservation and supply pool at Seven Oaks would increase groundwater 
reserves by extending the period water is available for release to 
downstream spreading grounds. Additionally, the feasibility of 
developing dispersed, non-motorized recreational facilities will be 
investigated in cooperation with staff from the San Bernardino National 
Forest.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action and EIS/EIR can be answered by: Mr. 
Gary Gunther, Study Manager, CESPL-PD-WA, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, 
[[Page 19745]] California 90053-22325, (213) 894-3825.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

a. Authority

    The authority to study the feasibility of water conservation and 
supply storage at Seven Oaks Dam is contained in the Resolution of the 
Committee on Public Works of the U.S. House of Representatives, dated 
May 8, 1964.

b. Proposed Action/Alternatives

    The proposed action for Seven Oaks Dam would investigate the 
feasibility of impounding natural flows during the months of March 
through May, with releases being made from June through September. 
Three alternative pool elevations and release rates are currently under 
consideration:
    (1) Impounding water up to elevation 2,300 NGVD in the 100-year 
debris pool (16,000 acre-feet) with releases at the approximate rate of 
67 cubic feet per second (CFS) beginning in June.
    (2) Impounding water up to elevation 2,375 NGVD (35,000 acre-feet) 
with releases of approximately 84 cfs beginning in June, and
    (3) Impounding water up to elevation 2,418 NGVD (50,000 acre-feet) 
with releases at the approximate rate of 208 cfs beginning in June.

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 
be sent a copy of each notice announcing a public scoping meeting. An 
initial public scoping meeting will be scheduled in the near future. 
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, water quality and circulation, recreation resources, and 
biological resources including endangered species and riparian habitat.

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 August of 1996.

f. Comments

    Comments and questions regarding the project may be addressed to: 
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, ATTN: Mr. Gary 
Gunther, CESPL-PD-WA, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, California 90053-
2325.

    Dated March 27, 1995.
Jerome J. Dittman,
Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Acting Commander.
[FR Doc. 95-9746 Filed 4-19-95; 8:45 am]
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