82 FR 39454 - Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Feasibility Report for Sites Reservoir Project, Sites, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 159 (August 18, 2017)

Page Range		39454-39455
FR Document		2017-17487

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Federal lead agency, and the Sites Project Authority, as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State lead agency, have made available for public review and comment the Sites Reservoir Project Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIR/EIS) and Draft Feasibility Report (Draft FR). The Draft EIR/EIS and Draft FR describe the environmental effects and evaluate the feasibility of the No-Action Alternative and four action alternatives. Two public meetings will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the Draft EIR/EIS and Draft FR.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39454-39455]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17487]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[RR02030000, 17XR0687NA, RX185279066000000]


Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 
and Draft Feasibility Report for Sites Reservoir Project, Sites, 
California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Federal lead agency, and the Sites 
Project Authority, as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 
State lead agency, have made available for public review and comment 
the Sites Reservoir Project Draft Environmental Impact Report/
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIR/EIS) and Draft Feasibility 
Report (Draft FR). The Draft EIR/EIS and Draft FR describe the 
environmental effects and evaluate the feasibility of the No-Action 
Alternative and four action alternatives. Two public meetings will be 
held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the 
Draft EIR/EIS and Draft FR.

DATES: Submit written comments on the Draft EIR/EIS on or before 
November 13, 2017.
    Two public meetings have been scheduled to receive oral or written 
comments regarding environmental effects:
     Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Maxwell, 
CA
     Thursday, September 28, 2017, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., 
Sacramento, CA
    A 1-hour open house to view project information and interact with 
the project team will precede each public meeting.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the Draft EIR/EIS or Draft FR to 
DEIR/EIS Comments, Sites Project Authority, P.O. Box 517, Maxwell, CA 
95955, or email to [email protected].
    The public meetings will be held at the following locations:

 Maxwell--Sites Project Authority, 122 Old Highway 99 West, 
Maxwell, CA 95955
 Sacramento--Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Room 306, 
Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic CD copies of the Draft EIR/EIS may be requested from 
Sites Project Authority, at (530) 410-8250, or [email protected]. The Draft EIR/EIS is also accessible from 
the following Web site: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?project_ID=29024.
    Copies of the Draft EIR/EIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:

1. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
2. Sacramento Public Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
3. Sites Authority, 122 Old Highway 99 West, Maxwell, CA 95955

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Mr. Michael Dietl, 
Bureau of Reclamation, at (916) 978-

[[Page 39455]]

5070, or via email at [email protected]; or Mr. Rob Thomson, Sites 
Project Authority, at (530) 438-2309, or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Draft EIR/EIS describes the Sites 
Reservoir Project, potential alternatives to the Sites Reservoir 
Project, environmental setting, potential direct, indirect, and 
cumulative impacts that could result from implementation of each of the 
alternatives, and mitigation measures for potentially significant 
impacts, as applicable. Four alternative methods of constructing and 
operating the Sites Reservoir Project are evaluated in the Draft FR to 
meet all or the majority of the purpose, and need, and goals, and 
objectives of the Sites Reservoir Project. Other alternatives evaluated 
over the past several decades (some of which were the subject of prior 
CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses and decision 
making) are summarized and discussed in Chapter 2 Alternatives Analysis 
of the Draft EIR/EIS.
    The proposed Sites Reservoir Project facilities would primarily be 
located in Glenn and Colusa counties, approximately 10 miles west of 
the town of Maxwell, California. Proposed minor modifications to an 
existing diversion facility would also need to occur at the existing 
Red Bluff Pumping Plant in Tehama County, California. The Sites 
Reservoir Project would consist of a new offstream surface storage 
reservoir (Sites Reservoir) with two main dams, up to nine saddle dams, 
and up to three recreation areas. The Sites Reservoir would be filled 
via two existing Sacramento River diversions/canals (included in all 
alternatives) and a proposed new inlet/outlet structure and pipeline 
(included in the majority of alternatives). The pipeline would allow 
for diversion of excess Sacramento River flows for most alternatives, 
and discharge of water under all alternatives. Water conveyance between 
the reservoir and the canals and pipeline would be facilitated by two 
new regulating reservoirs. Pumping/generating plants would also be 
included as part of most alternatives. A new overhead power line would 
connect the pumping/generating plants and their associated electrical 
switchyards to an existing overhead power line in the Sites Reservoir 
Project area. New roads and a bridge across the proposed Sites 
Reservoir would be constructed to provide access to the proposed Sites 
Reservoir Project facilities and over the proposed reservoir, and some 
existing roads would be relocated or improved. The Sites Reservoir 
Project would require modifications to the T-C Canal and the Holthouse 
Reservoir. A more complete description of the Sites Reservoir Project 
can be found in Chapter 3 Description of the Sites Reservoir Project 
Alternatives in the Draft EIR/EIS.
    The Sites Reservoir Project is the subject of a Notice of 
Preparation (NOP) issued on November 5, 2001, to prepare an EIR under 
CEQA, and a Notice of Intent (NOI) published on November 9, 2001 (66 FR 
56708), to prepare an EIS under NEPA. The Sites Reservoir Project was 
formerly known as the North-of-Delta Offstream Storage project led by 
the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The Sites Project 
Authority has assumed the role of the CEQA lead agency in lieu of DWR 
and will be responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining 
the Sites Reservoir Project. Because of this change in lead agency, the 
Sites Project Authority issued a Supplemental NOP on February 2, 2017, 
for the Draft EIR for the Project.
    Reclamation's involvement in the Sites Reservoir Project includes 
the following actions: (1) The development of a Federal feasibility 
report, and related EIS under NEPA, to support potential funding by the 
Federal Government, pursuant to the Calfed Bay-Delta Authorization Act 
(Pub. L. 108-361); (2) the potential approval of the use of the Tehama-
Colusa Canal for water diversion and conveyance of water to Sites 
Reservoir; and (3) the coordinated operations of Central Valley Project 
(CVP) facilities and the Sites Reservoir Project. In addition, 
Reclamation's involvement in the Sites Reservoir Project also could 
include: (1) Potential Federal funding of the Project pursuant to the 
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Pub. L. 114-322); 
(2) participation in the power lines to and from the Sites Reservoir; 
(3) involvement in and jurisdiction over the potential electrical power 
generation from the Sites Reservoir Project; and (4) potential new 
legislative authority to acquire shares of the water managed by the 
Sites Project Authority for federal conservation activities.
    If special assistance is required at the public meetings, please 
contact Mr. Michael Dietl at (916) 978-5070; or via email at 
[email protected]. Please notify Mr. Dietl as far in advance as possible 
to enable Reclamation to secure the needed services. If a request 
cannot be honored, the requestor will be notified. A telephone device 
for the hearing impaired (TTY) is available at (800) 877-8339.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: August 14, 2017.
Grayford F. Payne,
 Deputy Commissioner--Policy, Administration and Budget.
[FR Doc. 2017-17487 Filed 8-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4332-90-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 159 / Friday, August 18, 2017 / Notices 39455

5070, or via email at mdietl@usbr.gov; or would be relocated or improved. The Before including your address, phone
Mr. Rob Thomson, Sites Project Sites Reservoir Project would require number, email address, or other
Authority, at (530) 438–2309, or via modifications to the T–C Canal and the personal identifying information in your
email at EIR-EIS-Comments@ Holthouse Reservoir. A more complete comment, you should be aware that
SitesProject.org. description of the Sites Reservoir Project your entire comment—including your
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Draft can be found in Chapter 3 Description personal identifying information—may
EIR/EIS describes the Sites Reservoir of the Sites Reservoir Project be made publicly available at any time.
Project, potential alternatives to the Alternatives in the Draft EIR/EIS. While you can ask us in your comment
Sites Reservoir Project, environmental The Sites Reservoir Project is the to withhold your personal identifying
setting, potential direct, indirect, and subject of a Notice of Preparation (NOP) information from public review, we
issued on November 5, 2001, to prepare cannot guarantee that we will be able to
cumulative impacts that could result
an EIR under CEQA, and a Notice of do so.
from implementation of each of the
Intent (NOI) published on November 9,
alternatives, and mitigation measures Dated: August 14, 2017.
2001 (66 FR 56708), to prepare an EIS
for potentially significant impacts, as Grayford F. Payne,
under NEPA. The Sites Reservoir Project
applicable. Four alternative methods of Deputy Commissioner—Policy,
was formerly known as the North-of-
constructing and operating the Sites Administration and Budget.
Delta Offstream Storage project led by
Reservoir Project are evaluated in the [FR Doc. 2017–17487 Filed 8–17–17; 8:45 am]
the California Department of Water
Draft FR to meet all or the majority of BILLING CODE 4332–90–P
Resources (DWR). The Sites Project
the purpose, and need, and goals, and
Authority has assumed the role of the
objectives of the Sites Reservoir Project. CEQA lead agency in lieu of DWR and
Other alternatives evaluated over the will be responsible for constructing, INTERNATIONAL TRADE
past several decades (some of which operating, and maintaining the Sites COMMISSION
were the subject of prior CEQA and Reservoir Project. Because of this
National Environmental Policy Act [Investigation No. 731–TA–1380
change in lead agency, the Sites Project (Preliminary)]
(NEPA) analyses and decision making) Authority issued a Supplemental NOP
are summarized and discussed in on February 2, 2017, for the Draft EIR Tapered Roller Bearings From Korea;
Chapter 2 Alternatives Analysis of the for the Project. Determination
Draft EIR/EIS. Reclamation’s involvement in the
The proposed Sites Reservoir Project Sites Reservoir Project includes the On the basis of the record 1 developed
facilities would primarily be located in following actions: (1) The development in the subject investigation, the United
Glenn and Colusa counties, of a Federal feasibility report, and States International Trade Commission
approximately 10 miles west of the related EIS under NEPA, to support (‘‘Commission’’) determines, pursuant
town of Maxwell, California. Proposed potential funding by the Federal to the Tariff Act of 1930 (‘‘the Act’’),
minor modifications to an existing Government, pursuant to the Calfed that there is a reasonable indication that
diversion facility would also need to Bay-Delta Authorization Act (Pub. L. an industry in the United States is
occur at the existing Red Bluff Pumping 108–361); (2) the potential approval of materially injured by reason of imports
Plant in Tehama County, California. The the use of the Tehama-Colusa Canal for of tapered roller bearings from Korea,
Sites Reservoir Project would consist of water diversion and conveyance of provided for in subheadings 8482.20,
a new offstream surface storage reservoir water to Sites Reservoir; and (3) the 8482.91, and 8482.99 of the Harmonized
(Sites Reservoir) with two main dams, coordinated operations of Central Valley Tariff Schedule of the United States,
up to nine saddle dams, and up to three Project (CVP) facilities and the Sites that are alleged to be sold in the United
recreation areas. The Sites Reservoir Reservoir Project. In addition, States at less than fair value (‘‘LTFV’’).2
would be filled via two existing Reclamation’s involvement in the Sites Commencement of Final Phase
Sacramento River diversions/canals Reservoir Project also could include: (1) Investigation
(included in all alternatives) and a Potential Federal funding of the Project
proposed new inlet/outlet structure and pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Pursuant to section 207.18 of the
pipeline (included in the majority of Improvements for the Nation Act (Pub. Commission’s rules, the Commission
alternatives). The pipeline would allow L. 114–322); (2) participation in the also gives notice of the commencement
for diversion of excess Sacramento River power lines to and from the Sites of the final phase of its investigation.
flows for most alternatives, and Reservoir; (3) involvement in and The Commission will issue a final phase
discharge of water under all jurisdiction over the potential electrical notice of scheduling, which will be
alternatives. Water conveyance between power generation from the Sites published in the Federal Register as
the reservoir and the canals and Reservoir Project; and (4) potential new provided in section 207.21 of the
pipeline would be facilitated by two legislative authority to acquire shares of Commission’s rules, upon notice from
new regulating reservoirs. Pumping/ the water managed by the Sites Project the Department of Commerce
generating plants would also be Authority for federal conservation (‘‘Commerce’’) of an affirmative
included as part of most alternatives. A activities. preliminary determination in the
new overhead power line would If special assistance is required at the investigation under section 733(b) of the
connect the pumping/generating plants public meetings, please contact Mr. Act, or, if the preliminary determination
and their associated electrical Michael Dietl at (916) 978–5070; or via is negative, upon notice of an
switchyards to an existing overhead email at mdietl@usbr.gov. Please notify affirmative final determination in that
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

power line in the Sites Reservoir Project Mr. Dietl as far in advance as possible investigation under section 735(a) of the
area. New roads and a bridge across the to enable Reclamation to secure the Act. Parties that filed entries of
proposed Sites Reservoir would be needed services. If a request cannot be
1 The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the
constructed to provide access to the honored, the requestor will be notified.
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
proposed Sites Reservoir Project A telephone device for the hearing CFR 207.2(f)).
facilities and over the proposed impaired (TTY) is available at (800) 2 Commissioner Meredith M. Broadbent

reservoir, and some existing roads 877–8339. dissenting.

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Document Created: 2017-08-18 07:40:22
Document Modified: 2017-08-18 07:40:22

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability and notice of public meetings.
Dates		Submit written comments on the Draft EIR/EIS on or before November 13, 2017.
Contact		Please contact Mr. Michael Dietl, Bureau of Reclamation, at (916) 978- 5070, or via email at [email protected]; or Mr. Rob Thomson, Sites Project Authority, at (530) 438-2309, or via email at EIR-EIS- [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 39454

82 FR 39454 - Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Feasibility Report for Sites Reservoir Project, Sites, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Reclamation

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 159 (August 18, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation