[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25687-25688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12747]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
FES 96 29


South Bay Water Recycling Project, San Jose, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability on the final environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared 
a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the South Bay Water 
Recycling Project (SBWRP). The FEIS is based on a 1992 environmental 
impact report (EIR) prepared by the City of San Jose (City). The SBWRP 
would divert treated freshwater effluent from South San Francisco Bay 
through a water reclamation program. This would include construction of 
pump stations and recycled distribution pipelines. Reclamation would 
provide a grant of up to 25 percent of the total project cost to the 
City to support the SBWRP.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS are also available for the public at the 
following locations:
    <bullet> Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Liaison, 1849 
C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240; telephone: (202) 208-6274.
    <bullet> Bureau of Reclamation, Regional Director, Attn: MP-720 
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 979-2297.
    <bullet> Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Library, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA. 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 979-2462.
    <bullet> City of San Jose, Environmental Services Department, Tech. 
Support Division., 700 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA 95134; telephone: 
(408) 945-5300.

Libraries:

    Copies will also be available at public libraries located in San 
Jose (Main, Alviso, Berryessa, East San Jose, Carnegie, and Empire 
Branches).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mona Jefferies-Soniea, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Division of Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 
95825; telephone (916) 979-2297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SBWRP, formerly known as the San Jose 
Nonpotable Reclamation Project, was developed in response to an order 
from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California 
Regional Water Quality Control Board--San Francisco Region in order to 
re-establish salinity levels of the salt water marsh in the southern 
tip of San Francisco Bay. In addition to protecting the South Bay 
habitat, the program also develops nonpotable water supply for the 
Santa Clara Valley, which can be used in place of potable water for 
appropriate purposes. Funding will come from loans from the State Water 
Resources Control Board and EPA, a grant from Reclamation, and local 
funding. The SBWRP would be implemented in two phases: Phase I would 
consist of installing facilities to supply up to 9,000 acre-feet/year 
of nonpotable water for landscape irrigation, agriculture and 
industrial uses. Phase II would consist of installing facilities to 
supply an additional up to 27,000 acre-feet/year for either nonpotable 
or potable use. The City completed a final EIR for the SBWRP in 
November 1992 to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. 
At that time, Reclamation had not been involved and therefore no 
federal requirement for compliance with NEPA existed. The FEIS is based 
on this final EIR. The EIR analyzed Phase I in detail and analyzed 
Phase II programmatically.
    The proposed action (Phase I) is to construct pump stations, 
storage tanks, 48.5 miles of 6 to 54-inch diameter pipeline and 
appurtenant facilities in the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, and 
Milpitas. There would also be minor modifications of the existing San 
Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant to provide additional 
chlorination. Alternatives to the proposed action include:
    <bullet> Pipeline Alignment Alternative, to avoid construction of 
pipelines near residences.
    <bullet> Flow Allocation Alternative, which would allocate most of 
the reclaimed water for potable uses. The water would be used for 
groundwater recharge, mainly using percolation basins.
    <bullet> Habitat Enhancement Alternative, to also supply water to 
riparian restoration areas along creeks and rivers in the study area, 
as well as for potable and other nonpotable purposes.
    <bullet> No Action.
    The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was issued August 
1, 1995. Responses to comments received from interested organizations 
and individuals on the DEIS are addressed in the FEIS. No decision will 
be made on the proposed action until 30 days after the release of the 
FEIS. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a 
Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the action that will be 
implemented and will discuss all factors leading to the decision.


[[Page 25688]]


    Dated: May 7, 1996.
Roger K. Patterson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-12747 Filed 5-21-96 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P