Lake Casitas Resource Management Plan (RMP), Ventura County, CA, 43785-43786 [E8-17230]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / Notices Bureau of Reclamation American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (Final EIS/EIR). AGENCY: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency have prepared a Final EIS/EIR for the American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project (Project). The Project is located in northwestern Sacramento County and southern Sutter County. The Project modifies the Natomas Mutual Water Company’s water diversion from the Sacramento River and distribution system, thereby avoiding and minimizing potentially adverse affects to fish, particularly juvenile anadromous fish. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2008 (Volume 73, No. 42). The written comment period on the Draft EIS/EIR ended May 2, 2008. The Final EIS/EIR contains responses to all comments received and any additional information received during the review period. DATES: After the 30-day circulation of the Final EIS/EIR, Reclamation will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the decision and will identify and discuss relevant factors considered in the decision. ADDRESSES: A compact disc or copy of the Final EIS/EIR may be requested from Mr. Brad Hubbard, by writing to the Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP–400, Sacramento, CA 95825; by calling 916–978–5204; or by emailing bhubbard@mp.usbr.gov. The Final EIS/EIR is also accessible from the following Web site: https:// www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/ nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=783. See the Supplementary Information section for locations where copies of the Final EIS/EIR are available for public review. Mr. Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, at 916–978–5204; or Mr. James Navicky, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Fish and Game, at 916– 358–2926. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:35 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 The Draft EIS/EIR evaluated impacts related to constructing and operating one or two positive-barrier fish screen diversion facilities; decommissioning and removing the Verona Diversion Dam and lift pumps; removing five pumping plants and one small private diversion; and modifying the distribution system. The Draft EIS/EIR documented the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to the physical, natural, and socioeconomic environment that may result from implementation of one of the alternatives. Copies of the Final EIS/EIR are available for public review at the following locations: • Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, Colorado 80225; telephone: 303–445–2072. • Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825; telephone: 916–978–5100. • Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240–0001. • California Department of Fish and Game, North Central Region, 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670; telephone: 916–358–2900. • Natomas Mutual Water Company, 2601 West Elkhorn Boulevard, Rio Linda, CA 95673; telephone: 916–419– 5936. Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in any correspondence, you should be aware that your entire correspondence— including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your correspondence to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: July 3, 2008. John F. Davis, Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. E8–17229 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Lake Casitas Resource Management Plan (RMP), Ventura County, CA Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and notice of public hearing. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43785 SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, has made available for public review and comment the Lake Casitas draft EIS. The draft EIS describes and presents the environmental effects of the No-Action Alternative and two (2) Action Alternatives. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the draft EIS. DATES: Written comments on the draft EIS will be accepted on or before September 26, 2008. A public hearing has been scheduled to receive oral or written comments regarding environmental effects. The hearing will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 28, 2008 in Oak View, CA. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the draft EIS to Mr. Robert Epperson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. The public hearing will be held at Oak View Park and Resource Center, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022. Copies of the draft EIS may be requested from Mr. Robert Epperson, by writing to Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721; by calling 559–269–4518 (TDD 559–487–5933); or by e-mailing repperson@mp.usbr.gov. The draft EIS is also accessible from the following Web site: https:// www.usbr.gov/mp/casitas/docs/ index.html. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Section for locations where copies of the draft EIS are available for public review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Epperson, Bureau of Reclamation, at 559–269–4518 (TDD 559–487–5933) or repperson@mp.usbr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS documents the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment that may result from various resource management alternatives at Lake Casitas. The Lake Casitas draft EIS evaluates the existing resource management at Lake Casitas. The project purpose consists of: (1) Protecting the water supply and water quality functions of Lake Casitas; (2) protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural resources in the Plan area, consistent with federal law and Reclamation policies; and (3) providing recreational opportunities and facilities consistent with the original Lake Casitas project purposes, Reclamation policies, and state water policies. E:\FR\FM\28JYN1.SGM 28JYN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 43786 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 145 / Monday, July 28, 2008 / Notices Lake Casitas is an existing reservoir formed by Casitas Dam, and located in Ventura County, California. The dam, which stores water for irrigation, municipal and industrial use within the Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD), was completed in November 1958. Lake Casitas has a storage capacity of 254,000 acre-feet and delivers between 15,000 and 23,000 acre-feet each year. Although Reclamation owns Casitas Dam, the CMWD owns and operates the Plan Area pursuant to the 1956 agreement for the Ventura River Project. The 1956 agreement did not consider the current level of recreation activity the Plan Area now serves. Therefore, under a new long-term management agreement, the managing partner for the Open Space Lands may be different than the managing partner for the Park. The RMP will have a planning horizon of 25 years, and will begin when a new management agreement is reached between Reclamation and the managing partner(s). The new plan would: (1) Ensure safe storage and timely delivery of highquality water to users while enhancing natural resources and recreational opportunities; (2) protect natural resources while educating the public about the value of good stewardship; (3) provide recreational opportunities to meet the demands of a growing, diverse population; (4) ensure recreational diversity and the quality of the experience; and (5) provide the updated management considerations for establishing a new management agreement with the managing partner(s). The draft EIS outlines the formulation and evaluation of alternatives designed to address these issues by representing the varied interests present at the Plan Area. Alternative 1 (No Action) would continue current management practices. Alternative 2 (Enhancement) would balance natural resource protection with recreation opportunities. Alternative 3 (Recreation Expansion) would emphasize expanded recreation opportunities. The draft EIS has been developed within the authorities provided by Congress through the Reclamation Recreation Management Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102–575, Title 28, U.S.C. 460L), Title IV of the Recreational Development Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 93– 493), Reclamation Act, Federal Water Project Recreation Act, and other applicable Federal agency and U.S. Department of the Interior policies. Copies of the draft EIS are available for public review at the following locations: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:35 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 • Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. • Bureau of Reclamation, SouthCentral California Area Office, 1243N Street, Fresno, CA 93721. • Ojai Ranger District Station, 1190 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023. • E.P. Foster Public Library, 651 Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. • Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225. • Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240–0001. Public Hearings A brief presentation, including a project overview, will open the public hearing. This will be followed by an open house during which individual concerns and questions will be addressed through interaction with the project team. If special assistance is required at the public hearings, please contact Mr. Robert Epperson at 559–269–4518, TDD 559–487–5933, or by e-mailing repperson@mp.usbr.gov. Please notify Mr. Epperson 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. Public Disclosure Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail 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: July 3, 2008. John F. Davis, Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. E8–17230 Filed 7–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public scoping meetings. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the lead Federal agency, and the Sonoma County Water Agency, acting as administrator for the North Bay Water Reuse Authority (NBWRA) and the lead State agency, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the proposed North San Pablo Bay Restoration and Reuse Project (Proposed Action). The purpose of the Proposed Action is to create a regional wastewater reuse project to provide recycled water for agricultural, urban, and environmental uses as an alternative to discharging treated wastewater to San Pablo Bay. In this way, water demand issues and wastewater discharge issues of the region can be addressed in an integrated and synergistic manner. DATES: A series of scoping meetings will be held to solicit public input on the scope of the environmental document, alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The scoping meeting dates are: • Monday, August 4, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Napa, CA. • Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Novato, CA. • Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA. Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR will be accepted until August 20, 2008. ADDRESSES: The public scoping meetings will be held at: • Napa at Napa Elks Lodge, 2840 Soscol Avenue. • Novato at Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road. • Sonoma at Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street. Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR should be sent to Mr. Marc Bautista, Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403; or e-mailed to Marc.Bautista@scwa.ca.gov. Mr. Marc Bautista, Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) at the SCWA general telephone number 707–547–1998, email at: mbautista@scwa.ca.gov; or Mr. David White, Reclamation, at 916–978– 5074, e-mail at: dtwhite@mp.usbr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation North San Pablo Bay Restoration and Reuse Project, California Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement/ AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Background The NBWRA, comprised of four wastewater utilities and one water E:\FR\FM\28JYN1.SGM 28JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 145 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43785-43786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17230]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Lake Casitas Resource Management Plan (RMP), Ventura County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and notice of public hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National 
Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, has made available for 
public review and comment the Lake Casitas draft EIS. The draft EIS 
describes and presents the environmental effects of the No-Action 
Alternative and two (2) Action Alternatives. A public hearing will be 
held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the 
draft EIS.

DATES: Written comments on the draft EIS will be accepted on or before 
September 26, 2008.
    A public hearing has been scheduled to receive oral or written 
comments regarding environmental effects. The hearing will be held from 
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 28, 2008 in Oak View, CA.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the draft EIS to Mr. Robert 
Epperson, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
    The public hearing will be held at Oak View Park and Resource 
Center, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022.
    Copies of the draft EIS may be requested from Mr. Robert Epperson, 
by writing to Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721; 
by calling 559-269-4518 (TDD 559-487-5933); or by e-mailing 
repperson@mp.usbr.gov.
    The draft EIS is also accessible from the following Web site: 
https://www.usbr.gov/mp/casitas/docs/. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION Section for locations where copies of the draft EIS are 
available for public review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Epperson, Bureau of 
Reclamation, at 559-269-4518 (TDD 559-487-5933) or 
repperson@mp.usbr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS documents the direct, 
indirect, and cumulative effects to the physical, biological, and 
socioeconomic environment that may result from various resource 
management alternatives at Lake Casitas.
    The Lake Casitas draft EIS evaluates the existing resource 
management at Lake Casitas. The project purpose consists of: (1) 
Protecting the water supply and water quality functions of Lake 
Casitas; (2) protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural 
resources in the Plan area, consistent with federal law and Reclamation 
policies; and (3) providing recreational opportunities and facilities 
consistent with the original Lake Casitas project purposes, Reclamation 
policies, and state water policies.

[[Page 43786]]

    Lake Casitas is an existing reservoir formed by Casitas Dam, and 
located in Ventura County, California. The dam, which stores water for 
irrigation, municipal and industrial use within the Casitas Municipal 
Water District (CMWD), was completed in November 1958. Lake Casitas has 
a storage capacity of 254,000 acre-feet and delivers between 15,000 and 
23,000 acre-feet each year. Although Reclamation owns Casitas Dam, the 
CMWD owns and operates the Plan Area pursuant to the 1956 agreement for 
the Ventura River Project. The 1956 agreement did not consider the 
current level of recreation activity the Plan Area now serves. 
Therefore, under a new long-term management agreement, the managing 
partner for the Open Space Lands may be different than the managing 
partner for the Park. The RMP will have a planning horizon of 25 years, 
and will begin when a new management agreement is reached between 
Reclamation and the managing partner(s).
    The new plan would: (1) Ensure safe storage and timely delivery of 
high-quality water to users while enhancing natural resources and 
recreational opportunities; (2) protect natural resources while 
educating the public about the value of good stewardship; (3) provide 
recreational opportunities to meet the demands of a growing, diverse 
population; (4) ensure recreational diversity and the quality of the 
experience; and (5) provide the updated management considerations for 
establishing a new management agreement with the managing partner(s).
    The draft EIS outlines the formulation and evaluation of 
alternatives designed to address these issues by representing the 
varied interests present at the Plan Area. Alternative 1 (No Action) 
would continue current management practices. Alternative 2 
(Enhancement) would balance natural resource protection with recreation 
opportunities. Alternative 3 (Recreation Expansion) would emphasize 
expanded recreation opportunities.
    The draft EIS has been developed within the authorities provided by 
Congress through the Reclamation Recreation Management Act of 1992 
(Pub. L. 102-575, Title 28, U.S.C. 460L), Title IV of the Recreational 
Development Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 93-493), Reclamation Act, Federal 
Water Project Recreation Act, and other applicable Federal agency and 
U.S. Department of the Interior policies.
    Copies of the draft EIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional 
Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.
     Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area 
Office, 1243N Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
     Ojai Ranger District Station, 1190 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, 
CA 93023.
     E.P. Foster Public Library, 651 Main Street, Ventura, CA 
93001.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, 
Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225.
     Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 
20240-0001.

Public Hearings

    A brief presentation, including a project overview, will open the 
public hearing. This will be followed by an open house during which 
individual concerns and questions will be addressed through interaction 
with the project team.
    If special assistance is required at the public hearings, please 
contact Mr. Robert Epperson at 559-269-4518, TDD 559-487-5933, or by e-
mailing repperson@mp.usbr.gov. Please notify Mr. Epperson 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.

Public Disclosure

    Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail 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: July 3, 2008.
John F. Davis,
 Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. E8-17230 Filed 7-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P

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