San Luis Low Point Improvement Project, California, 50997-50999 [E8-20104]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the
human remain described above
represents the physical remain of one
individual of Native American ancestry.
Officials of the Department of
Anthropology at St. Lawrence
University have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is
a relationship of shared group identity
that can be reasonably traced between
the Native American human remain and
the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New
York.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the human remain should
contact Dr. Richard A. Gonzalez,
Department of Anthropology, St.
Lawrence University, Canton, NY
13617, telephone (315) 229–5745, before
September 29, 2008. Repatriation of the
human remain to the Saint Regis
Mohawk Tribe, New York may proceed
after that date if no additional claimants
come forward.
St. Lawrence University is responsible
for notifying the Saint Regis Mohawk
Tribe, New York that this notice has
been published.
Dated: July 31, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–20111 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion:
University of Wyoming, Anthropology
Department, Human Remains
Repository, Laramie, WY
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
ACTION:
Notice is here given in accordance
with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human
remains and associated funerary objects
in the possession and control of the
University of Wyoming Anthropology
Department Human Remains Repository
in Laramie, WY. The human remains
and associated funerary objects were
removed from Goshen County, WY.
This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service’s administrative
responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). The determinations
in this notice are the sole responsibility
of the museum, institution, or Federal
agency that has control of the Native
American human remains and
associated funerary objects. The
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
A detailed assessment of the human
remains was made by University of
Wyoming Anthropology Department
Human Remains Repository
professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Rosebud Sioux
Tribe of the Rosebud Indian
Reservation, South Dakota.
In 1977, human remains representing
a minimum of two individuals were
removed from near the old Bordeaux
Trading Post in Goshen County, WY, by
personnel from Fort Laramie, Goshen
County Sheriff’s Office, and Goshen
County Coroner, after the burial location
had been disturbed by earth leveling
activities associated with farming. No
known individuals were identified. The
four associated funerary objects are one
set of glass trade beads, one brass
button, one set of cloth fragments, and
one set of wooden coffin fragments.
The remains are a partial skeleton of
a female of probable mixed Native
American/Euroamerican parentage.
Some features on the cranium and
mandible suggest that the individual has
both Euroamerican and Native
American aspects in her parentage. The
cranial cap is partially mummified and
a stripe of red ocher or vermillion had
been painted down the center of the top
of the head, approximately at the part of
the hair. The woman was apparently
pregnant or had just delivered a child at
the time of her death. The child interred
with her is also likely of mixed
parentage and was likely a newborn
infant.
Historic background research and
ethnographic inquiries indicates that the
human remains are most likely related
to the Sioux groups that were known to
have intermarried with the Bordeaux
family and their employees at the old
Bordeaux Trading Post a few miles
below Fort Laramie near the North
Platte River. The Bordeaux name is still
carried by members of the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe and tribal representatives
identified specific bands of the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe that had married Bordeaux
Trading Post employees. Tribal
evidence presented for cultural
affiliation is based on review of records
afforded to the tribe, contact with the
Bordeaux family, and review of the
information from the Human Remains
Repository.
Officials of the University of
Wyoming, Anthropology Department,
Human Remains Repository have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (9–10), the human remains
described above represent the physical
remains of two individuals of Native
American ancestry. Officials of the
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
50997
University of Wyoming, Anthropology
Department, Human Remains
Repository also have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the
four objects described above are
reasonably believed to have been placed
with or near individual human remains
at the time of death or later as part of
the death rite or ceremony. Lastly,
officials of the University of Wyoming,
Anthropology Department, Human
Remains Repository have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2),
there is a relationship of shared group
identity that can be reasonably traced
between the Native American human
remains and associated funerary objects
and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the
Rosebud Indian Reservation, South
Dakota.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the human remains and
associated funerary objects should
contact Rick L. Weathermon, NAGPRA
Contact at the University of Wyoming
Department 3431, Anthropology, 1000
E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071,
telephone (307) 766–5136, before
September 29, 2008. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of
the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South
Dakota may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
University of Wyoming Anthropology
Department Human Remains Repository
is responsible for notifying the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian
Reservation, South Dakota that this
notice has been published.
Dated: July 29, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–20090 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
San Luis Low Point Improvement
Project, California
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare
an environmental impact statement/
environmental impact report (EIS/EIR)
and notice of public scoping meetings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act and the
California Environmental Quality Act,
the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) and the Santa Clara
Valley Water District, in coordination
with the San Luis and Delta Mendota
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
50998
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
Water Authority, intend to prepare an
EIS/EIR for the San Luis Low Point
Improvement Project (Low Point
Project). Reclamation is the lead Federal
agency and Santa Clara Valley Water
District is the lead State agency for
preparation of the EIS/EIR.
The Low Point Project is designed to
address water supply reliability issues
in San Luis Reservoir associated with
conditions occurring in summer months
when water levels are low. During this
time, reservoir-wide growth of algae
makes the water unsuitable for certain
agricultural and municipal and
industrial users in the San Felipe
Division with existing treatment
facilities (also known as the ‘‘low point
issue’’).
DATES: A series of public scoping
meetings will be held to solicit public
input on alternatives, concerns, and
issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR.
The meeting dates are as follows:
• September 10, 2008, 4:30 p.m. to
7:45 p.m., San Jose, CA.
• September 11, 2008, 10 a.m. to 12
p.m., Sacramento, CA.
• September 11, 2008, 5 p.m. to 9
p.m., Los Banos, CA.
Written comments must be received
by October 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting
locations are:
• San Jose at the Rose Garden Public
Library, 1580 Naglee Avenue.
• Sacramento at the Federal Building,
2800 Cottage Way, Cafeteria Conference
Rooms C–1001 and C–1002.
• Los Banos at the Miller and Lux
Community Center, 830 Sixth Street.
Written comments on the scope of the
EIS/EIR should be sent to Ms. Lynnette
Wirth, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800
Cottage Way, Public Affairs,
Sacramento, CA 95825, e-mailed to
lwirth@mp.usbr.gov, or faxed to 916–
978–5114.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sharon McHale, Reclamation Project
Manager, at the above address, 916–
978–5086 (TDD 916–978–5608), or via
e-mail at: smchale@mp.usbr.gov; or Ms.
Tracy Ligon, Santa Clara Valley Water
District, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San
Jose, CA 95118–3686, at 408–265–2600
x2569 or via e-mail at:
tligon@valleywater.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: San Luis
Reservoir is a jointly shared off-stream
storage facility providing Reclamation
and the State of California the ability to
store water during wet seasons and
deliver it during dry seasons. Use of the
reservoir helps to maximize Central
Valley Project (CVP) and State Water
Project supplies and contract deliveries.
Any constraint in the release of water
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
from San Luis Reservoir, including
maintaining water levels to avoid the
low point issue, could limit water
supplies.
The Low Point Project is designed to
address water supply reliability issues
in San Luis Reservoir associated with
the low point issue. The low point issue
arises when water levels fall below 300
thousand acre-feet (TAF), creating a
water quality restriction (algae blooms)
that has the potential to interrupt a
portion of the San Felipe Division’s
water supply. The low point issue may
affect the ability of San Luis Reservoir
to provide water supply reliability and
deliveries to south-of-Delta contractors.
Conditions at San Luis Reservoir
promote the growth of reservoir-wide
algae during the summer months, when
the reservoir reaches the lower water
surface elevations (approximately 300
TAF). Algae blooms vary in size in
different years, but generally reach
diversion facilities when the reservoir
has 300 TAF of water remaining in
storage. The water quality within the
algal blooms is not suitable for
agricultural water users with drip
irrigation systems in San Benito County
or for municipal and industrial water
users relying on existing water
treatment facilities in Santa Clara
County. Reaching 300 TAF creates a risk
for the San Felipe Division contractors
because the San Luis Reservoir is the
only CVP water source point that they
can access.
The project location is focused around
San Luis Reservoir in Merced County.
The project also includes the service
areas of the CVP San Felipe Division in
Santa Clara and San Benito Counties,
and other CVP contractors within the
San Luis and Delta Mendota Water
Authority in the western San Joaquin
Valley.
Background
One of the options identified in the
2000 CALFED Programmatic Record of
Decision was a bypass canal that would
connect the San Felipe Division to water
delivered by the Sacramento-San
Joaquin River Delta pumping facilities,
to increase use of water in San Luis
Reservoir by up to 200 TAF.
Reclamation issued a Notice of Intent
(NOI) for a similar project on July 17,
2002. The participating agencies
conducted scoping meetings, and the
results of those meetings have been
incorporated into this project. After
publishing the initial NOI, the project
focus has broadened, which has resulted
in new planning objectives. The
agencies have decided to re-issue the
NOI and conduct new scoping meetings
because of the length of time that has
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
passed and the change in project
objectives.
Objectives
The overall objective of the Low Point
Project is to optimize the water supply
benefit of San Luis Reservoir while
reducing additional risks to water users
by:
• Avoiding supply interruptions
when water is needed by increasing the
certainty of meeting the requested
delivery schedule throughout the year to
south-of-Delta contractors dependent on
San Luis Reservoir;
• Increasing the reliability and
quantity of yearly allocations to southof-Delta contractors dependent on San
Luis Reservoir; and
• Announcing higher allocations
earlier in the season to south-of-Delta
contractors dependent on San Luis
Reservoir without sacrificing accuracy
of the allocation forecasts.
The Low Point Project may also
provide opportunities for ecosystem
restoration.
Alternatives
Initial alternatives fall into seven
general categories:
• Institutional: Non-structural
measures, including agreements and
exchanges that would reduce the
likelihood of San Luis Reservoir
reaching its functional low point or
would provide alternate supplies for the
San Felipe Division during times when
the functional low point is reached.
• Source Water Quality Control:
Improvements to San Luis Reservoir
water quality that would reduce water
supply interruptions for the San Felipe
Division while continuing supplies for
the rest of the San Luis and DeltaMendota users.
• Water Treatment: New or enhanced
raw water treatment capabilities using
dissolved air flotation that could treat
San Luis Reservoir water and reduce or
eliminate interrupted deliveries when
algae blooms are in the vicinity of the
Pacheco Intake.
• Conveyance: Facilities that would
allow San Felipe Division CVP supplies
to bypass the San Luis Reservoir
altogether or change the location of the
San Felipe Division’s intake so that low
water levels and algae are not a
problem.
• Storage: Facilities that would create
additional storage, either on the San
Felipe side of San Luis Reservoir or
within the Central Valley, to provide an
alternate water supply.
• Alternate Water Supplies: Measures
that would provide a new source of
water to users in the San Felipe
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
Division, reducing their demands on
San Luis Reservoir water supplies.
• Combination Alternative: Measures
that work best in combination,
augmenting efficient use of existing
available water supplies and facilities to
resolve the low point problem. The
Alternative Water Supplies concept
incorporates multiple strategies, such as
source shifting, new supply
development, additional treatment
technology, reoperation, and operational
agreements, which build upon one
another either incrementally or in total,
to achieve water supply reliability,
water quality, and system flexibility
project objectives and opportunities.
Special Assistance for Public Scoping
Meetings
If special assistance is required at the
public hearings, please contact Ms.
Lynnette Wirth at 916–978–5100, TDD
916–978–5608, or via e-mail at
lwirth@mp.usbr.gov. Please notify Ms.
Wirth 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 (TDD) is available at 916–978–
5608.
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: August 8, 2008.
Susan M. Fry,
Regional Environmental Officer, Mid-Pacific
Region.
[FR Doc. E8–20104 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Windy Gap Firming Project; ColoradoBig Thompson Project, Grand and
Larimer Counties, CO
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(Draft EIS) and Announcement of Public
Hearings.
AGENCY:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act, the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) has completed the Windy
Gap Firming Project Draft EIS. It is now
available for public review and
comment. Two public hearings are
scheduled during the comment period.
The Draft EIS describes and discloses
the estimated environmental effects of
five alternatives, including a no action
alternative and four action alternatives
that accomplish the purpose and need
for the project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps), the Western Area Power
Administration (Western), and the
Board of County Commissioners, Grand
County, Colorado (Grand County) are
cooperating agencies that are providing
assistance in the preparation of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
under the National Environmental
Policy Act.
DATES: A 60-day public comment period
begins with the publication of this
notice. Written comments on the Draft
ES are due by October 28, 2008 and
should be submitted to Reclamation
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Public
hearings will be held during October
2008 in Colorado. See the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
dates of the public hearings.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS
should be sent to the attention of Will
Tully, Bureau of Reclamation, 11056
West County Rd. 18E, Loveland, CO
80537. Comments may also be
submitted in writing by fax, e-mail, or
at the public hearings. Send faxes to the
attention of Will Tully at 970–663–3212.
Send e-mail to wtully@gp.usbr.gov with
Windy Gap Draft EIS Comment as the
subject line.
Copies of the Draft EIS and related
documents are available online from
Reclamation’s Web site at https://
www.usbr.gov/gp/nepa/quarterly.cfm.
Paper copies of the Draft EIS may be
obtained by calling Kara Lamb at 970–
962–4326. Refer to the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for locations of
libraries at which copies of the Draft EIS
are available for review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kara
Lamb at 970–962–4326 or
klamb@gp.usbr.gov or Will Tully at
970–962–4368 or wtully@gp.usbr.gov.
Mail requests should be addressed to
the Bureau of Reclamation at the
address indicated in the ADDRESSES
section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Reclamation will hold public hearings,
preceded by an open house, to receive
oral and written comments on the Draft
EIS at the following times and places:
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
50999
• October 7, 2008, open house at 6
p.m., public hearing at 7 p.m., McKee
Conference Center, 2000 Boise Avenue,
Loveland, CO 80538, (ph. 970–669–
4640).
• October 9, 2008, open house at 5
p.m., public hearing at 7 p.m., Inn at
Silver Creek, 62927 U.S. Highway 40,
Granby, CO 80446, (ph. 970–887–4080).
Public Hearing Process Information:
Each public hearing will be preceded by
an open house hosted by Reclamation to
display project information and allow
for questions. The meeting facilities are
physically accessible to people with
disabilities. People needing special
assistance to attend and participate in
the public hearings should contact Ms.
Kara Lamb at 970–962–4326 as soon as
possible. To allow sufficient time to
process special requests, please call no
later than one week before the public
hearing of interest.
The purpose of the public hearings is
to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on information
presented in the Draft EIS. Oral
comments may be limited to a specified
period of time if deemed necessary by
Reclamation to complete the hearing in
an appropriate period of time. Written
comments will also be accepted at the
hearings. Information regarding this
proposed action is available in
alternative formats upon request.
Locations where the Draft EIS may be
reviewed:
• Eastern Colorado Area Office, 11056
W. County Rd. 18E, Loveland, CO 80537
970–962–4410.
• Corps of Engineers, Chatfield
Reservoir Office, 9307 South
Wadsworth Blvd., Littleton, CO 80128.
• Morgan Library, Colorado State
University, 501 University Avenue Fort
Collins, CO 80523–1019.
• Berthoud, Berthoud Public Library,
236 Welch Avenue.
• Broomfield, Mamie Eisenhower
Public Library, 3 Community Park Road.
• Ft. Collins, Fort Collins Public
Library, 201 Peterson Street.
• Ft. Lupton, Ft. Lupton Public
Library, 425 South Denver Avenue.
• Granby, Granby Branch Library, 13
East Jasper Avenue.
• Grand Lake, Juniper Library, 316
Garfield Street.
• Greeley, Centennial Park Branch,
Weld Library District, 2227 23rd
Avenue.
• Greeley, Fart Branch, Weld Library
District, 1939 61st Avenue.
• Greeley, Lincoln Park Branch, Weld
Library District, 919 7th Street.
• Hot Sulphur Springs, Hot Sulphur
Springs Branch Library, 105 Moffat.
• Kremmling, Kremmling Branch
Library, 300 South 8th Street.
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 169 (Friday, August 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50997-50999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20104]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
San Luis Low Point Improvement Project, California
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public
scoping meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the
California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in
coordination with the San Luis and Delta Mendota
[[Page 50998]]
Water Authority, intend to prepare an EIS/EIR for the San Luis Low
Point Improvement Project (Low Point Project). Reclamation is the lead
Federal agency and Santa Clara Valley Water District is the lead State
agency for preparation of the EIS/EIR.
The Low Point Project is designed to address water supply
reliability issues in San Luis Reservoir associated with conditions
occurring in summer months when water levels are low. During this time,
reservoir-wide growth of algae makes the water unsuitable for certain
agricultural and municipal and industrial users in the San Felipe
Division with existing treatment facilities (also known as the ``low
point issue'').
DATES: A series of public scoping meetings will be held to solicit
public input on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in
the EIS/EIR. The meeting dates are as follows:
September 10, 2008, 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., San Jose, CA.
September 11, 2008, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sacramento, CA.
September 11, 2008, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Los Banos, CA.
Written comments must be received by October 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting locations are:
San Jose at the Rose Garden Public Library, 1580 Naglee
Avenue.
Sacramento at the Federal Building, 2800 Cottage Way,
Cafeteria Conference Rooms C-1001 and C-1002.
Los Banos at the Miller and Lux Community Center, 830
Sixth Street.
Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR should be sent to Ms.
Lynnette Wirth, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Public
Affairs, Sacramento, CA 95825, e-mailed to lwirth@mp.usbr.gov, or faxed
to 916-978-5114.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon McHale, Reclamation Project
Manager, at the above address, 916-978-5086 (TDD 916-978-5608), or via
e-mail at: smchale@mp.usbr.gov; or Ms. Tracy Ligon, Santa Clara Valley
Water District, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118-3686, at
408-265-2600 x2569 or via e-mail at: tligon@valleywater.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: San Luis Reservoir is a jointly shared off-
stream storage facility providing Reclamation and the State of
California the ability to store water during wet seasons and deliver it
during dry seasons. Use of the reservoir helps to maximize Central
Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project supplies and contract
deliveries. Any constraint in the release of water from San Luis
Reservoir, including maintaining water levels to avoid the low point
issue, could limit water supplies.
The Low Point Project is designed to address water supply
reliability issues in San Luis Reservoir associated with the low point
issue. The low point issue arises when water levels fall below 300
thousand acre-feet (TAF), creating a water quality restriction (algae
blooms) that has the potential to interrupt a portion of the San Felipe
Division's water supply. The low point issue may affect the ability of
San Luis Reservoir to provide water supply reliability and deliveries
to south-of-Delta contractors.
Conditions at San Luis Reservoir promote the growth of reservoir-
wide algae during the summer months, when the reservoir reaches the
lower water surface elevations (approximately 300 TAF). Algae blooms
vary in size in different years, but generally reach diversion
facilities when the reservoir has 300 TAF of water remaining in
storage. The water quality within the algal blooms is not suitable for
agricultural water users with drip irrigation systems in San Benito
County or for municipal and industrial water users relying on existing
water treatment facilities in Santa Clara County. Reaching 300 TAF
creates a risk for the San Felipe Division contractors because the San
Luis Reservoir is the only CVP water source point that they can access.
The project location is focused around San Luis Reservoir in Merced
County. The project also includes the service areas of the CVP San
Felipe Division in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, and other CVP
contractors within the San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority in
the western San Joaquin Valley.
Background
One of the options identified in the 2000 CALFED Programmatic
Record of Decision was a bypass canal that would connect the San Felipe
Division to water delivered by the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
pumping facilities, to increase use of water in San Luis Reservoir by
up to 200 TAF.
Reclamation issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a similar project
on July 17, 2002. The participating agencies conducted scoping
meetings, and the results of those meetings have been incorporated into
this project. After publishing the initial NOI, the project focus has
broadened, which has resulted in new planning objectives. The agencies
have decided to re-issue the NOI and conduct new scoping meetings
because of the length of time that has passed and the change in project
objectives.
Objectives
The overall objective of the Low Point Project is to optimize the
water supply benefit of San Luis Reservoir while reducing additional
risks to water users by:
Avoiding supply interruptions when water is needed by
increasing the certainty of meeting the requested delivery schedule
throughout the year to south-of-Delta contractors dependent on San Luis
Reservoir;
Increasing the reliability and quantity of yearly
allocations to south-of-Delta contractors dependent on San Luis
Reservoir; and
Announcing higher allocations earlier in the season to
south-of-Delta contractors dependent on San Luis Reservoir without
sacrificing accuracy of the allocation forecasts.
The Low Point Project may also provide opportunities for ecosystem
restoration.
Alternatives
Initial alternatives fall into seven general categories:
Institutional: Non-structural measures, including
agreements and exchanges that would reduce the likelihood of San Luis
Reservoir reaching its functional low point or would provide alternate
supplies for the San Felipe Division during times when the functional
low point is reached.
Source Water Quality Control: Improvements to San Luis
Reservoir water quality that would reduce water supply interruptions
for the San Felipe Division while continuing supplies for the rest of
the San Luis and Delta-Mendota users.
Water Treatment: New or enhanced raw water treatment
capabilities using dissolved air flotation that could treat San Luis
Reservoir water and reduce or eliminate interrupted deliveries when
algae blooms are in the vicinity of the Pacheco Intake.
Conveyance: Facilities that would allow San Felipe
Division CVP supplies to bypass the San Luis Reservoir altogether or
change the location of the San Felipe Division's intake so that low
water levels and algae are not a problem.
Storage: Facilities that would create additional storage,
either on the San Felipe side of San Luis Reservoir or within the
Central Valley, to provide an alternate water supply.
Alternate Water Supplies: Measures that would provide a
new source of water to users in the San Felipe
[[Page 50999]]
Division, reducing their demands on San Luis Reservoir water supplies.
Combination Alternative: Measures that work best in
combination, augmenting efficient use of existing available water
supplies and facilities to resolve the low point problem. The
Alternative Water Supplies concept incorporates multiple strategies,
such as source shifting, new supply development, additional treatment
technology, reoperation, and operational agreements, which build upon
one another either incrementally or in total, to achieve water supply
reliability, water quality, and system flexibility project objectives
and opportunities.
Special Assistance for Public Scoping Meetings
If special assistance is required at the public hearings, please
contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5100, TDD 916-978-5608, or via e-
mail at lwirth@mp.usbr.gov. Please notify Ms. Wirth 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 (TDD) is available at 916-978-5608.
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: August 8, 2008.
Susan M. Fry,
Regional Environmental Officer, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. E8-20104 Filed 8-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P