83 FR 13737 - Proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project; Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)
| Page Range | 13737-13738 | |
| FR Document | 2018-06343 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 13737-13738] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-06343] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project; Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of a final environmental impact report/ environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: California American Water Company (CalAm) submitted a permit application to NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) to construct and operate a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination facility project (Project) in Monterey County, California. NOAA is conducting the permit review process in accordance with review and consultation requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable statutes. NOAA, as Federal lead agency for purposes of NEPA, and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state lead agency for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), have prepared a joint final environmental impact review/ environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) that analyzes the potential effects on the physical and human environment of the proposed action and alternatives. DATES: This notice is applicable March 30, 2018. ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIR/EIS can be downloaded or viewed on the internet at https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/desal-projects.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Grimmer at 99 Pacific Ave., Bldg. 455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background CalAm submitted a permit application for construction and operation of its proposed Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP or Project). The purpose of the MPWSP is to replace existing water supplies for CalAm's Monterey District service area that have been constrained by legal decisions affecting the Carmel River and Seaside Groundwater Basin water resources. The MPWSP comprises various facilities and improvements, including: A sub-surface seawater intake system; a 9.6-million-gallons-per-day (mgd) reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant; desalinated water storage and conveyance facilities; and expanded Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) facilities. The desalination facility would be capable of producing 9.6 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water on a 46-acre site located north of the City of Marina on unincorporated Monterey County property. The MPWSP proposes ten subsurface slant wells (nine new wells and conversion of an existing test well) to draw seawater from beneath the ocean floor in Monterey Bay to produce the source water for the desalination plant. The subsurface slant wells would be located primarily within the City of Marina, in the active mining area of the CEMEX sand mining facility. The slant wells would be approximately 700 to 1000 feet in length and extend beneath the coastal dunes, sandy beach, and the surf zone, terminating approximately 161 to 356 feet seaward of the Mean High Water line and at a depth of 190 to 210 feet below the seafloor. Up to 24.1 mgd of source water would be needed to produce 9.6 mgd of desalinated product water. Under the proposed project, the desalination plant would generate approximately 13.98 mgd of brine, including 0.4 mgd of decanted backwash water. The brine would be discharged into Monterey Bay via a 36-inch diameter pipeline to a new connection with the existing Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency's (MRWPCA) outfall and diffuser located offshore. II. NOAA Proposed Action and Alternatives NOAA is releasing a final EIR/EIS prepared in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA. 40 CFR 1500-1508. NOAA's proposed action would be to authorize the installation of a subsurface seawater intake system, authorize the discharge of brine into MBNMS via an existing outfall pipe, and permit the continued presence of pipelines in MBNMS to transport seawater to or from a desalination facility. The Final EIR/EIS identifies and assesses potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project, and identifies six alternatives, plus a no action alternative. Federal agencies would use the EIR/EIS to consider related permits or other approvals for the Project as proposed. NOAA's preferred alternative is Alternative 5a, which is also the environmentally preferred alternative. Alternative 5a would be implemented in conjunction with the Pure Water Monterey Groundwater Replenishment Project (GWR), which would offer the same amount of freshwater as the proposed project through a 6.4 mgd desalination plant and the purchase and extraction of 3,500 afy of GWR Project water from the Seaside Groundwater Basin. Although the combined Alternative 5a and GWR project would result in a larger physical footprint than the proposed action alone, the pairing of Alternative 5a and the GWR project would result in reduced operational energy use and reduced GHG emissions compared to the proposed project. In addition, the combination of Alternative 5a and the GWR Project would result in reduced effects on groundwater levels influenced by fewer slant wells and less volume of pumping compared to the proposed project, and the GWR project would provide water to the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project that would benefit the groundwater basin. Lastly, Alternative 5a paired with the GWR project would be consistent with the 2016 California Action Plan seeking integrated water supply solutions, the Governor's drought proclamations, the CPUC Water Action Plan goal of promoting water infrastructure investment, the California Ocean Plan, and MBNMS Desalination Guidelines. III. NEPA Process and Federal Consultations In accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, NOAA published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the proposed project on August 26, 2015 (80 FR 51787). During the EIS scoping meeting held on September 10, 2015, five participants commented publically on the proposed project. Twelve written comments were received throughout the public comment period. The complete written comments are available for [[Page 13738]] review at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NOS-2015-0105. On January 13, 2017 a Draft EIR/EIS was released for public comment. NOAA and CPUC received approximately 82 comment letters, two form letter submissions, as well as 18 oral comments from the public hearing. Public and agency comments on the Draft EIR/EIS did not result in finding any impacts more adverse than disclosed in the DEIR/EIS. Furthermore, there were no substantial changes to the proposed project relevant to environmental concerns or significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts. All comments are available and addressed in the FEIR/EIS. In addition, the complete written comments are available for review at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NOS-2016-0156. As part of the NEPA process, NOAA has completed federal interagency consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for Essential Fish Habitat. Consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act is ongoing. NOAA has also completed federal interagency consultation under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. With respect to the Coastal Zone Management Act, Subpart D of the federal consistency regulations governs consistency review for activities requiring a federal license or permit. This section requires the applicant to conduct any required consistency review with the state coastal commission, and provide the Federal permitting agency with a consistency certification. CalAm is currently in discussions with the California Coastal Commission. All final consultation documents will be made available on the website listed above. Finally, the United States Department of the Army and the United States Army Corps of Engineers were cooperating agencies on this FEIR/ FEIS. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. Dated: March 23, 2018. John Armor, Director for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. [FR Doc. 2018-06343 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices 13737
Concurrent with the publication of 455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or of NEPA. 40 CFR 1500–1508. NOAA’s
this notice in the Federal Register, mbnms.comments@noaa.gov. proposed action would be to authorize
NMFS is forwarding copies of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the installation of a subsurface seawater
application to the Marine Mammal intake system, authorize the discharge
Commission and its Committee of I. Background of brine into MBNMS via an existing
Scientific Advisors. CalAm submitted a permit application outfall pipe, and permit the continued
Dated: March 27, 2018.
for construction and operation of its presence of pipelines in MBNMS to
proposed Monterey Peninsula Water transport seawater to or from a
Julia Harrison,
Supply Project (MPWSP or Project). The desalination facility.
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, purpose of the MPWSP is to replace The Final EIR/EIS identifies and
Office of Protected Resources, National
existing water supplies for CalAm’s assesses potential environmental
Marine Fisheries Service.
Monterey District service area that have impacts associated with the proposed
[FR Doc. 2018–06498 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am]
been constrained by legal decisions project, and identifies six alternatives,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P plus a no action alternative. Federal
affecting the Carmel River and Seaside
Groundwater Basin water resources. The agencies would use the EIR/EIS to
MPWSP comprises various facilities and consider related permits or other
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE approvals for the Project as proposed.
improvements, including: A sub-surface
National Oceanic and Atmospheric seawater intake system; a 9.6-million- NOAA’s preferred alternative is
Administration gallons-per-day (mgd) reverse osmosis Alternative 5a, which is also the
(RO) desalination plant; desalinated environmentally preferred alternative.
Proposed Monterey Peninsula Water water storage and conveyance facilities; Alternative 5a would be implemented in
Supply Project; Notice of Availability of and expanded Aquifer Storage and conjunction with the Pure Water
a Final Environmental Impact Report/ Recovery (ASR) facilities. Monterey Groundwater Replenishment
Environmental Impact Statement The desalination facility would be Project (GWR), which would offer the
capable of producing 9.6 million gallons same amount of freshwater as the
AGENCY: Office of National Marine per day (MGD) of potable water on a 46- proposed project through a 6.4 mgd
Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean acre site located north of the City of desalination plant and the purchase and
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Marina on unincorporated Monterey extraction of 3,500 afy of GWR Project
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), County property. The MPWSP proposes water from the Seaside Groundwater
Commerce. ten subsurface slant wells (nine new Basin. Although the combined
ACTION: Notice of availability of a final wells and conversion of an existing test Alternative 5a and GWR project would
environmental impact report/ well) to draw seawater from beneath the result in a larger physical footprint than
environmental impact statement. ocean floor in Monterey Bay to produce the proposed action alone, the pairing of
the source water for the desalination Alternative 5a and the GWR project
SUMMARY: California American Water plant. The subsurface slant wells would would result in reduced operational
Company (CalAm) submitted a permit be located primarily within the City of energy use and reduced GHG emissions
application to NOAA’s Monterey Bay Marina, in the active mining area of the compared to the proposed project. In
National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) to CEMEX sand mining facility. The slant addition, the combination of Alternative
construct and operate a reverse osmosis wells would be approximately 700 to 5a and the GWR Project would result in
(RO) desalination facility project 1000 feet in length and extend beneath reduced effects on groundwater levels
(Project) in Monterey County, the coastal dunes, sandy beach, and the influenced by fewer slant wells and less
California. NOAA is conducting the surf zone, terminating approximately volume of pumping compared to the
permit review process in accordance 161 to 356 feet seaward of the Mean proposed project, and the GWR project
with review and consultation High Water line and at a depth of 190 would provide water to the Castroville
requirements under the National to 210 feet below the seafloor. Up to Seawater Intrusion Project that would
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 24.1 mgd of source water would be benefit the groundwater basin. Lastly,
other applicable statutes. NOAA, as needed to produce 9.6 mgd of Alternative 5a paired with the GWR
Federal lead agency for purposes of desalinated product water. project would be consistent with the
NEPA, and the California Public Under the proposed project, the 2016 California Action Plan seeking
Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state desalination plant would generate integrated water supply solutions, the
lead agency for purposes of the approximately 13.98 mgd of brine, Governor’s drought proclamations, the
California Environmental Quality Act including 0.4 mgd of decanted CPUC Water Action Plan goal of
(CEQA), have prepared a joint final backwash water. The brine would be promoting water infrastructure
environmental impact review/ discharged into Monterey Bay via a 36- investment, the California Ocean Plan,
environmental impact statement (EIR/ inch diameter pipeline to a new and MBNMS Desalination Guidelines.
EIS) that analyzes the potential effects connection with the existing Monterey
III. NEPA Process and Federal
on the physical and human Regional Water Pollution Control
Consultations
environment of the proposed action and Agency’s (MRWPCA) outfall and
alternatives. diffuser located offshore. In accordance with Section 102(2)(C)
of NEPA, NOAA published a Notice of
DATES: This notice is applicable March II. NOAA Proposed Action and Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the
30, 2018. Alternatives proposed project on August 26, 2015 (80
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIR/EIS can NOAA is releasing a final EIR/EIS FR 51787). During the EIS scoping
be downloaded or viewed on the prepared in accordance with section meeting held on September 10, 2015,
internet at https:// 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental five participants commented publically
montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/ Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, on the proposed project. Twelve written
resmanissues/desal-projects.html. 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c), and the Council on comments were received throughout the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Environmental Quality Regulations for public comment period. The complete
Karen Grimmer at 99 Pacific Ave., Bldg. Implementing the Procedural Provisions written comments are available for
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:57 Mar 29, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_13799/page/1.svg)
![13738 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices
review at: https://www.regulations.gov/ COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501–8506) in
docket?D=NOAA-NOS-2015-0105. PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR connection with the product proposed
On January 13, 2017 a Draft EIR/EIS SEVERELY DISABLED for addition to the Procurement List.
was released for public comment. End of Certification
Procurement List; Addition and
NOAA and CPUC received Accordingly, the following product is
Deletions
approximately 82 comment letters, two added to the Procurement List:
form letter submissions, as well as 18 AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely Product
oral comments from the public hearing.
Public and agency comments on the Disabled. NSN—Product Name: 2815–01–492–5709—
Parts Kit, Diesel Engine Hydraulic
Draft EIR/EIS did not result in finding ACTION: Addition to and deletions from
Transmission
any impacts more adverse than the Procurement List. Mandatory for: 100% of the requirement of
disclosed in the DEIR/EIS. Furthermore, the Department of Defense
there were no substantial changes to the SUMMARY: This action adds a product to Mandatory Source of Supply: Georgia
proposed project relevant to the Procurement List that will be Industries for the Blind, Bainbridge, GA
environmental concerns or significant furnished by nonprofit agency Contracting Activity: Defense Logistics
employing persons who are blind or Agency Land and Maritime
new circumstances or information
have other severe disabilities, and
relevant to environmental concerns and Deletions
deletes products from the Procurement
bearing on the proposed action or its List previously furnished by such On 2/9/2018 (83 FR 28) and 2/23/
impacts. All comments are available and agencies. 2018 (83 FR 37), the Committee for
addressed in the FEIR/EIS. In addition, Purchase From People Who Are Blind
the complete written comments are DATES: Date added to and deleted from or Severely Disabled published notices
available for review at: https:// the Procurement List: April 29, 2018. of proposed deletions from the
www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA- ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase Procurement List.
NOS-2016-0156. From People Who Are Blind or Severely After consideration of the relevant
Disabled, 1401 S Clark Street, Suite 715, matter presented, the Committee has
As part of the NEPA process, NOAA
Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149. determined that the products listed
has completed federal interagency
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: below are no longer suitable for
consultation with the National Marine procurement by the Federal Government
Fisheries Service under section 7 of the Amy B. Jensen, Telephone: (703) 603–
7740, Fax: (703) 603–0655, or email under 41 U.S.C. 8501–8506 and 41 CFR
Endangered Species Act and under the 51–2.4.
CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov.
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act for Essential Fish SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
Habitat. Consultation with the Fish and Addition I certify that the following action will
Wildlife Service under section 7 of the not have a significant impact on a
On 1/19/2018 (83 FR 13), the
Endangered Species Act is ongoing. substantial number of small entities.
Committee for Purchase From People The major factors considered for this
NOAA has also completed federal Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
interagency consultation under section certification were:
published notice of proposed addition 1. The action will not result in
106 of the National Historic to the Procurement List.
Preservation Act. With respect to the additional reporting, recordkeeping or
After consideration of the material other compliance requirements for small
Coastal Zone Management Act, Subpart presented to it concerning capability of entities.
D of the federal consistency regulations qualified nonprofit agency to provide 2. The action may result in
governs consistency review for activities the product and impact of the addition authorizing small entities to furnish the
requiring a federal license or permit. on the current or most recent products to the Government.
This section requires the applicant to contractors, the Committee has 3. There are no known regulatory
conduct any required consistency determined that the product listed alternatives which would accomplish
review with the state coastal below is suitable for procurement by the the objectives of the Javits-Wagner-
commission, and provide the Federal Federal Government under 41 U.S.C. O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501–8506) in
permitting agency with a consistency 8501–8506 and 41 CFR 51–2.4. connection with the products deleted
certification. CalAm is currently in Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification from the Procurement List.
discussions with the California Coastal End of Certification
Commission. All final consultation I certify that the following action will
documents will be made available on not have a significant impact on a Accordingly, the following products
the website listed above. Finally, the substantial number of small entities. are deleted from the Procurement List:
United States Department of the Army The major factors considered for this Products
certification were:
and the United States Army Corps of NSN(s)—Product Name(s):
1. The action will not result in any 7920–01–615–6967—Scrub Brush, Wire,
Engineers were cooperating agencies on
additional reporting, recordkeeping or Black Tempered, Ergonomic, 5″
this FEIR/FEIS. other compliance requirements for small 7920–01–615–6968—Wire Brush, Wire,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. entities other than the small Knuckle Guard, Long Handle,
Dated: March 23, 2018. organizations that will furnish the Ergonomic, 6″ × 11⁄8″
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
product to the Government. 7920–01–615–6971—Scrub Brush, Wire,
John Armor, Knuckle Guard, Long Handle,
2. The action will result in
Director for the Office of National Marine authorizing small entities to furnish the Ergonomic, 6″ × 11⁄8″, w/built-in scraper
Sanctuaries. 7920–01–615–6972—Scrub Brush,
product to the Government. Polypropylene Bristles, Extension Pole-
[FR Doc. 2018–06343 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am] 3. There are no known regulatory Compatible, 2″ × 8″
BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P alternatives which would accomplish 7920–01–615–6973—Scrub Brush, Wire,
the objectives of the Javits-Wagner- Stainless, Ergonomic, 5″
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:57 Mar 29, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_13799/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:58:41
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:58:41
| 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 of a final environmental impact report/ environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | This notice is applicable March 30, 2018. | |
| Contact | Karen Grimmer at 99 Pacific Ave., Bldg. 455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 13737 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR