[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 3974-3975] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-1681] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Contra Costa Water District's Future Use and Operation of Contra Loma Reservoir Project, Contra Costa County, CA
Agency
Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
Action
Notice of availability of the draft environmental impact report/draft environmental impact statement (DEIR/DEIS). INT--DES 99-1.
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Summary
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) have prepared a joint DEIR/DEIS for CCWD's future use and operation of Contra Loma Reservoir Project. The proposed action is for CCWD to comply with a California State Department of Health Services order requiring either that recreational body contact activities in Contra Loma Reservoir (Reservoir) cease, or that CCWD stop using the reservoir for domestic water supply storage. CCWD's proposal would permanently stop body contact activities in the Reservoir in September 1999, and would construct a lagoon within the existing Reservoir to allow swimming and certain other activities. This project would enable CCWD to continue using the Reservoir for its historic domestic water supply purposes, including use for meeting peaking requirements and for system reliability during shutdowns and other emergencies. Action taken by Reclamation would allow CCWD to implement the proposal on lands owned by the United States at the reservoir. The DEIR/DEIS describes and presents the environmental effects of five alternatives, including two no-action alternatives. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from interested parties, organizations, and individuals on the environmental impacts of the proposal.
Dates
Submit written comments on the DEIR/DEIS on or before March 25, 1999. Comments may be submitted to Reclamation or CCWD at the addresses provided below. The public hearing on the DEIR/DEIS will be held on February 18, 1999, at 7:00 p.m.
Addresses
The public hearing will be held at the Antioch Senior Center, 415 W. Second Street in Antioch, California. Written comments on the DEIR/DEIS should be addressed to Ms. Fran Garland, Contra Costa Water District, 2300 Stanwell Drive, Suite A, Concord CA 94524, or to Mr. Bob Eckart at the Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Copies of the DEIR/DEIS may be requested from Ms. Garland at the above address or by calling (925) 688-8312. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the DEIR/DEIS are available for public inspection.
For Further Information Contact
Mr. Bob Eckart, Bureau of Reclamation, at (916) 978-5051, or Ms. Fran Garland, Contra Costa Water District, at (925) 688-8312.
Supplementary Information
The proposed action includes the continued use of Contra Loma Reservoir
(Reservoir) as a drinking water supply and the construction of a separate swimming lagoon (lagoon) within the existing reservoir footprint. A concrete-covered earthen berm would physically separate the lagoon from the main portion of the 80-acre reservoir. Water in the lagoon would be pumped, filtered, and treated to appropriate water quality standards for recreation use. This project would allow existing drinking water and swimming uses to continue at the Reservoir. The action is proposed in response to an Order from the California State Department of Health Services requiring CCWD, as the water supplier, to either cease using the reservoir as a drinking water supply or eliminate body contact recreation activities occurring in it. The purpose of this action is to respond to the Order while allowing existing drinking water supply use to continue and maintaining the existing recreation activities at the Reservoir to the extent feasible. Recreation facilities at Contra Loma Reservoir are operated by the East Bay Regional Park District under an agreement with Reclamation. Action alternatives evaluated in the DEIR/DEIS include construction of a water treatment plant, and connecting to East Bay Municipal Utility District's Mokelumne Aqueduct. No-Action alternatives evaluated include: (1) Stop use of the Reservoir for drinking water and allow body contact to continue, and (2) Stop use of the Reservoir for body contact activities and continue use as a drinking water supply. Copies of the DEIR/DEIS are available for public inspection and review at the following locations: • Contra Costa Water District at 2300 Stanwell Drive, Suite A in Concord, CA 94524; telephone: (925) 688-8312. • Bureau of Reclamation, Program Analysis Office, Room 7456 at 1849 C Street NW in Washington DC 20240; telephone: (202) 208-4662. • Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167 at the Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling in Denver, CO 80225; telephone: (303) 445-2064. • Bureau of Reclamation, Regional Director, Attention: MP- 140 at 2800 Cottage Way in Sacramento, CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 978-5100. • Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior at 1849 C Street NW, Main Interior Building in Washington, DC 20240- 0001. • Antioch Branch Library at 501 W-18th Street in Antioch, CA 94509. • Bay Point Branch Library at 205 Pacifica Avenue in Pittsburg, CA 94565. • Pittsburg Branch Library at 80 Power Avenue in Pittsburg, CA 94565. • Oakley Branch Library at 118 East Ruby in Oakley, CA 94561. • Concord Branch Library at 2900 Salvio in Concord, CA 94519. • Contra Costa County Public Library at 1750 Oak Park Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.
Hearing Process Information
CCWD staff will make a brief presentation to describe the proposed project, its purpose and need, alternatives considered, and scenarios for construction and operation. The public may comment on environmental issues addressed in the DEIR/DEIS. If necessary due to large attendance, comments will be limited to 5 minutes per speaker. Written comments will also be accepted.
Dated: January 13, 1999. Michael Ryan, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 99-1681 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-94-P