Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meetings on the 2021 Endangered Species Act Reinitiation of Section 7 Consultation on the Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, 11093-11095 [2022-04160]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 39 / Monday, February 28, 2022 / Notices
Lineal descendants or
representatives of any Indian Tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
claim these cultural items should
submit a written request with
information in support of the claim to
the Fowler Museum at UCLA at the
address in this notice by March 30,
2022.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wendy G. Teeter, Ph.D., Fowler
Museum at UCLA, Box 951549, Los
Angeles, CA 90095–1549, telephone
(310) 825–1864, email wteeter@
arts.ucla.edu.
Notice is
here given in accordance with the
Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural
items under the control of the Fowler
Museum at the University of California
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, that meet
both the definition of sacred objects and
the definition of objects of cultural
patrimony under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
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 cultural items. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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History and Description of the Cultural
Items
In 1981, Steven and Susan Nelson
gifted two Navajo medicine bundles
(X81.197 and X81.196) to the Fowler
Museum at UCLA, and in 1984, they
gifted a suitcase of Navajo Yei ceremony
dance regalia (X84.224) to the Museum.
The two medicine bundles and one set
of dance regalia are both sacred objects
and objects of cultural patrimony.
The Navajo medicine bundles and
dance regalia are used in current
traditional religious ceremonial
practice. These items are significant to
the Navajo people, and they are
considered both ‘‘sacred objects’’ and
‘‘objects of cultural patrimony’’ due to
their having ongoing historical,
traditional, and cultural importance
central to Navajo (Dine´) culture,
spirituality, and religion.
Determinations Made by the Fowler
Museum at the University of California
Los Angeles
Officials of the Fowler Museum at the
University of California Los Angeles
have determined that:
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• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C),
the three cultural items described above
are specific ceremonial objects needed
by traditional Native American religious
leaders for the practice of traditional
Native American religions by their
present-day adherents.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D),
the three cultural items described above
have ongoing historical, traditional, or
cultural importance central to the
Native American group or culture itself,
rather than property owned by an
individual.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there
is a relationship of shared group
identity that can be reasonably traced
between the sacred objects and objects
of cultural patrimony and the Navajo
Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Lineal descendants or representatives
of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice
that wish to claim these cultural items
should submit a written request with
information in support of the claim to
Wendy G. Teeter, Ph.D., Fowler
Museum at UCLA, Box 951549, Los
Angeles, CA 90095–1549, telephone
(310) 825–1864, email wteeter@
arts.ucla.edu, by March 30, 2022. After
that date, if no additional claimants
have come forward, transfer of control
of the sacred objects and objects of
cultural patrimony to the Navajo Nation,
Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah may
proceed.
The Fowler Museum at the University
of California Los Angeles is responsible
for notifying the Navajo Nation,
Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah that this
notice has been published.
Dated: February 16, 2022.
Melanie O’Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022–04107 Filed 2–25–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[RR02800000, 22XR0680A1,
RX.17868949.0000000]
Notice of intent; request for
comments.
ACTION:
The Bureau of Reclamation
intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for analyzing
potential modifications to the LongTerm Operation of the Central Valley
Project (CVP) and the State Water
Project (SWP). The authorized purposes
of the CVP include, first, river
regulation, improvement of navigation
and flood control; second, irrigation and
domestic uses and fish and wildlife
mitigation, protection and restoration;
and third, power and fish and wildlife
enhancement. Reclamation is seeking
suggestions and information on the
alternatives and topics to be addressed
and other important issues related to
multi-year operations of the CVP and
SWP.
SUMMARY:
Submit written comments on the
scope of the EIS on or before March 30,
2022.
Reclamation will hold virtual public
scoping meetings at the following dates
and times. The virtual public scoping
meetings are identified geographically;
however, virtual attendance is open at
all meetings. Comments during the
scoping meetings will be recorded. If
you do not wish to be recorded, you
may submit written comments to the
mailing address or email address below
1. Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 2 p.m. to
4 p.m., Sacramento, CA, virtual meeting.
2. Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 5:30
p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Red Bluff, CA, virtual
meeting.
3. Thursday, March 10, 2022, 2 p.m.
to 4 p.m., Fresno, CA, virtual meeting.
4. Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 5:306
p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Los Banos, CA, virtual
meeting.
5. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 2 p.m.
to 4 p.m., Tracy, CA, virtual meeting.
6. Thursday, March 17, 2022, 2 p.m.
to 4 p.m., Chico, CA, virtual meeting.
Information on participation will be
posted at www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo by the
day prior to the meeting.
DATES:
Send written scoping
comments, requests to be added to the
mailing list, or requests for other special
assistance needs to Cindy Meyer,
Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta
Office, 801 I Street, Suite 140,
Sacramento, CA 95814–2536; or by
email to sha-MPR-BDO@usbr.gov.
To attend the virtual meetings, please
go to www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo to find the
web links to specific meetings dates.
ADDRESSES:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement and
Hold Public Scoping Meetings on the
2021 Endangered Species Act
Reinitiation of Section 7 Consultation
on the Long-Term Operation of the
Central Valley Project and State Water
Project
AGENCY:
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 39 / Monday, February 28, 2022 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Cindy Meyer, Bureau of Reclamation,
Bay-Delta Office, 801 I Street, Suite 140,
Sacramento, CA 95814–2536; telephone
(916) 414–2425; email sha-MPR-BDO@
usbr.gov. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
may call the Federal Relay Service
(FedRelay) at 1–800–877–8339 TTY/
ASCII to contact the above individual
during normal business hours or to
leave a message or question after hours.
You will receive a reply during normal
business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed
Action
Reclamation operates the CVP and the
California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) operates the SWP,
under the 1986 Coordinated Operation
Agreement, as amended in 2018,
between the federal government and the
State of California, as authorized by
Public Law 99–546. A February 18,
2020, Record of Decision (2020 ROD)
implements the Proposed Action
consulted upon for 2019 Biological
Opinions from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). On
September 30, 2021, Reclamation
requested to reinitiate consultation on
the Long-Term Operation of the CVP
and SWP under section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to
anticipated modifications to the
previous Proposed Action that may
cause effects to ESA-listed species or
designated critical habitat not analyzed
in the current 2019 Biological Opinions.
Modifications would address the review
of the 2019 Biological Opinions
required by Executive Order 13990
Protecting Public Health and the
Environment and Restoring Science to
Tackle the Climate Crisis, and
voluntarily reconcile CVP operating
criteria with requirements of the SWP
under the California Endangered
Species Act.
The purpose of the proposed action
considered in this EIS is to continue the
operation of the CVP and the SWP, for
authorized purposes, in a manner that:
• Meets requirements under Federal
Reclamation law; other Federal laws
and regulations; Federal permits and
licenses; and State of California water
rights, permits, and licenses pursuant to
section 8 of the Reclamation Act;
• Satisfies Reclamation contractual
obligations and agreements; and
• Implements authorized CVP fish
and wildlife project purposes.
Operation of the CVP and SWP is
needed to provide flood control and
navigation; water supply; fish and
wildlife mitigation, protection, and
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17:23 Feb 25, 2022
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restoration and enhancement; and
power generation. Operation of the CVP
and SWP also provides recreation and
water quality benefits.
Project Area (Area of Analysis)
The project area includes CVP service
areas and CVP dams, power plants,
diversions, canals, gates, and related
Federal facilities located on Clear Creek;
the Trinity, Sacramento, American,
Stanislaus, and San Joaquin rivers; and
in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
(Delta).
• A portion of the water from the
Trinity River Basin is stored in Trinity
Lake behind Trinity Dam, re-regulated
in Lewiston Lake, and diverted through
a system of tunnels and powerplants
into Whiskeytown Reservoir on Clear
Creek and then into the Sacramento
River through Spring Creek upstream of
Keswick Dam. Water is also released
from Lewiston Dam to the Trinity River
where it flows to the Klamath River.
• A portion of the water from the
upper Sacramento River is stored in
Shasta Reservoir and re-regulated in
Keswick Reservoir. Water in Shasta may
be diverted at Shasta Dam or released
into the Sacramento River. Water from
the upper Sacramento, imports from the
Trinity River Basin, releases from other
reservoirs owned or operated by local
agencies, and other inflows enter the
Sacramento River and may be diverted
into the Tehama-Colusa and Corning
canals at the Red Bluff Pumping Plant.
• A portion of the water from the
American River is stored in Folsom
Reservoir and re-regulated in Lake
Natoma. Water in Folsom Reservoir may
be diverted at Folsom Dam, be diverted
into the Folsom South Canal, or be
released into the American River.
• A portion of the water from the
Stanislaus River is stored in New
Melones Reservoir. Water in New
Melones may be released into the
Stanislaus River.
• A portion of the water from the
upper San Joaquin River is stored in
Millerton Reservoir behind Friant Dam.
Water is diverted into the Madera and
Friant-Kern canals or released into the
San Joaquin River.
• The Sacramento River and San
Joaquin River carry water to the Delta.
As water moves down the mainstem of
the Sacramento River, gates at the Delta
Cross Channel are operated for water
quality and flood management.
• Water in the Delta may be pumped
into the Contra Costa Canal at Rock
Slough and delivered to Contra Costa
Water District. The C.W. Bill Jones
Pumping Plant is at the southern end of
the Delta, lifting water into the Delta
Mendota Canal (DMC). CVP water is
conveyed in the DMC for direct
diversion or for delivery to San Luis
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Reservoir. Water from the San Luis
Reservoir is also conveyed through the
San Luis Canal and Pacheco Tunnel.
The DMC–California Aqueduct Intertie
connects the CVP and SWP conveyance
facilities after export from the Delta.
Prior to the Jones Pumping Plant, the
Tracy Fish Collection Facility salvages
salmonids and other species.
The project area includes SWP service
areas downstream of the Feather River
and SWP facilities in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta, Cache Slough
Complex, and Suisun Marsh. Feather
River operations of Lake Oroville and
Oroville Dam are not addressed as part
of this consultation.
• In the Cache Slough Complex the
Barker Slough Pumping Plant lifts water
into the North Bay Aqueduct.
• In Montezuma Slough, the Suisun
Marsh Salinity Control Gates are tidally
operated to maintain fresh water in
Montezuma Slough and the Suisun
Marsh.
• The Harvey O. Banks Pumping
Plant at the southern end of the Delta,
behind Clifton Court Forebay, lifts water
into the California Aqueduct, which
conveys water to the San Luis Reservoir
for storage and to the South Bay
Aqueduct for deliveries to the SWP
contractors. The DMC–California
Aqueduct Intertie connects the CVP and
SWP conveyance facilities after export
from the Delta. Prior to the Banks
Pumping Plant, the Skinner Delta Fish
Protection Facility salvages salmonids
and other species.
• The SWP also pumps water through
the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant and
conveys it through the California
Aqueduct to the Cross-Valley Canal,
when the systems have capacity, for
CVP water service contractors.
Proposed Action and Preliminary
Alternatives To Be Considered
The EIS will consider a range of
reasonable alternatives, consistent with
40 CFR 1502.14, including a No Action
Alternative that would continue
implementation of the 2020 ROD.
Reasonable alternatives may include
combinations of operation of CVP and
SWP facilities and diversions,
construction actions, habitat restoration,
conservation hatchery practices, and
monitoring and special studies.
Reasonable alternatives may support
consultation for actions by Sacramento
River Settlement Contractors.
Reasonable alternatives may include
DWR operations for new storage
projects. Reclamation is considering
operation of the CVP and SWP under
conditions of:
• Potential hydrologic and
meteorologic climate change through
2040 including changes in precipitation,
air temperatures, and sea level;
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 39 / Monday, February 28, 2022 / Notices
• Potential new storage, conveyance,
and other water supply infrastructure;
• Potential implementation of
voluntary agreements for the update of
the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control
Plan;
• Potential responses to drier years
and drought conditions such as water
transfers and temporary urgency change
petitions; and
• Potential needs for new and
adapted monitoring programs to address
current and future information needs.
Each action alternative will fulfill the
requirements of the need for the project
as described in the ‘‘Purpose and Need
for Action’’ section. Certain components
of alternatives may be described
programmatically and be subject to
further compliance. The Final EIS will
identify an agency-preferred alternative.
Reclamation will consider reasonable
alternatives identified through the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) scoping process and through the
input required by Section 4004 of the
Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act, Public Law 114–322.
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Summary of Potential Impacts
The EIS will identify and describe
reasonably foreseeable potential effects
on the human environment from a
reasonably close causal relationship.
Effects include those occurring at the
same time and place and those
occurring later in time or at a different
place (whether beneficial or adverse).
Potential impacts areas include surface
water supply, water quality,
groundwater resources, air quality,
greenhouse gas emissions, visual
resources, aquatic resources, terrestrial
biological resources, regional
economics, land use and agricultural
resources, recreation, hazards and
hazardous materials, cultural resources,
geology and soils, and climate change.
Reclamation expects to analyze flow
management, temperature management,
habitat, interactions with CVP and SWP
facilities, conservation hatchery
practices, and monitoring needs.
Reclamation expects these actions to
result in incidental take that requires
consultation due to the potential to
affect ESA-listed species. Reclamation
intends to pursue the conference
process for Longfin Smelt. Reclamation
also anticipates analyzing differences in
water supply deliveries and surplus
power generation. The EIS will analyze
measures that would avoid, minimize,
or mitigate adverse environmental
effects.
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Statutory Authority and Anticipated
Permits
NEPA [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] requires
that Federal agencies conduct an
environmental analysis of their
proposed actions to determine if the
actions may significantly affect the
human environment. The EIS will
analyze the environmental effects that
may result from the implementation of
the proposed action and alternatives. In
addition to NEPA, various other
Federal, state, and local authorizations
may be required for the Proposed
Action. Applicable Federal laws
include, but are not limited to, ESA,
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
National Historic Preservation Act, and
Clean Water Act.
Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
Reclamation will review and consider
comments received during scoping and
will prepare a scoping report. After the
draft EIS is completed, anticipated in
2023, Reclamation will publish a notice
of availability (NOA) and request public
comments on the draft EIS. After the
public comment period ends,
Reclamation will then develop the final
EIS and anticipates making the final EIS
available to the public in 2024. In
accordance with 40 CFR 1506.11,
Reclamation will not make a decision or
issue a Record of Decision (ROD) sooner
than 30 days after the final EIS is
released. Reclamation anticipates the
issuance of a ROD by October 2024.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
Reclamation will request the
following Federal agencies to participate
as cooperating agencies in accordance
with the NEPA:
• USFWS,
• NMFS,
• Western Area Power
Administration,
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
• U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
Reclamation may invite additional
Federal, state, and local agencies (e.g.,
DWR, California Department of Fish and
Wildlife, State Water Resources Control
Board, Public Water Agencies) as
potential cooperating agencies.
Indian Trust Assets and Environmental
Justice
Reclamation will consult with
federally recognized Indian tribes in the
project area to request their input
regarding the identification of any
properties to which they might attach
religious and cultural significance to
within the area of potential effect. Once
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11095
these areas are determined, Reclamation
will enter government-to-government
consultations with potentially affected
tribes to identify and address concerns
for Indian Trust Assets. There are Indian
Trust Assets affected by the Trinity
River Division and the potential impacts
of CVP operation on those assets will be
examined in the EIS. The EIS will
examine the potential impacts to
environmental justice issues throughout
the project area.
Public Disclosure
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. Speakers during scoping meetings
are recorded.
How To Request Reasonable
Accommodation
For special assistance at one of the
scoping meetings, please contact Cindy
Meyer (above) or TDD 916–978–5608, at
least five working days before the
meetings. Information regarding this
proposed action is available in
alternative formats upon request.
Ernest Conant,
Regional Director, California Great Basin
Region.
[FR Doc. 2022–04160 Filed 2–25–22; 8:45 am]
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SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11093-11095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04160]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[RR02800000, 22XR0680A1, RX.17868949.0000000]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Hold Public Scoping Meetings on the 2021 Endangered Species Act
Reinitiation of Section 7 Consultation on the Long-Term Operation of
the Central Valley Project and State Water Project
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for analyzing potential modifications to the
Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State
Water Project (SWP). The authorized purposes of the CVP include, first,
river regulation, improvement of navigation and flood control; second,
irrigation and domestic uses and fish and wildlife mitigation,
protection and restoration; and third, power and fish and wildlife
enhancement. Reclamation is seeking suggestions and information on the
alternatives and topics to be addressed and other important issues
related to multi-year operations of the CVP and SWP.
DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the EIS on or before
March 30, 2022.
Reclamation will hold virtual public scoping meetings at the
following dates and times. The virtual public scoping meetings are
identified geographically; however, virtual attendance is open at all
meetings. Comments during the scoping meetings will be recorded. If you
do not wish to be recorded, you may submit written comments to the
mailing address or email address below
1. Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sacramento, CA,
virtual meeting.
2. Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Red Bluff, CA,
virtual meeting.
3. Thursday, March 10, 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Fresno, CA, virtual
meeting.
4. Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 5:306 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Los Banos, CA,
virtual meeting.
5. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tracy, CA, virtual
meeting.
6. Thursday, March 17, 2022, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Chico, CA, virtual
meeting.
Information on participation will be posted at www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo
by the day prior to the meeting.
ADDRESSES: Send written scoping comments, requests to be added to the
mailing list, or requests for other special assistance needs to Cindy
Meyer, Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office, 801 I Street, Suite
140, Sacramento, CA 95814-2536; or by email to [email protected].
To attend the virtual meetings, please go to www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo to
find the web links to specific meetings dates.
[[Page 11094]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Meyer, Bureau of Reclamation,
Bay-Delta Office, 801 I Street, Suite 140, Sacramento, CA 95814-2536;
telephone (916) 414-2425; email [email protected]. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay
Service (FedRelay) at 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII to contact the above
individual during normal business hours or to leave a message or
question after hours. You will receive a reply during normal business
hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
Reclamation operates the CVP and the California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) operates the SWP, under the 1986 Coordinated Operation
Agreement, as amended in 2018, between the federal government and the
State of California, as authorized by Public Law 99-546. A February 18,
2020, Record of Decision (2020 ROD) implements the Proposed Action
consulted upon for 2019 Biological Opinions from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
On September 30, 2021, Reclamation requested to reinitiate consultation
on the Long-Term Operation of the CVP and SWP under section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to anticipated modifications to the
previous Proposed Action that may cause effects to ESA-listed species
or designated critical habitat not analyzed in the current 2019
Biological Opinions. Modifications would address the review of the 2019
Biological Opinions required by Executive Order 13990 Protecting Public
Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate
Crisis, and voluntarily reconcile CVP operating criteria with
requirements of the SWP under the California Endangered Species Act.
The purpose of the proposed action considered in this EIS is to
continue the operation of the CVP and the SWP, for authorized purposes,
in a manner that:
Meets requirements under Federal Reclamation law; other
Federal laws and regulations; Federal permits and licenses; and State
of California water rights, permits, and licenses pursuant to section 8
of the Reclamation Act;
Satisfies Reclamation contractual obligations and
agreements; and
Implements authorized CVP fish and wildlife project
purposes.
Operation of the CVP and SWP is needed to provide flood control and
navigation; water supply; fish and wildlife mitigation, protection, and
restoration and enhancement; and power generation. Operation of the CVP
and SWP also provides recreation and water quality benefits.
Project Area (Area of Analysis)
The project area includes CVP service areas and CVP dams, power
plants, diversions, canals, gates, and related Federal facilities
located on Clear Creek; the Trinity, Sacramento, American, Stanislaus,
and San Joaquin rivers; and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
(Delta).
A portion of the water from the Trinity River Basin is
stored in Trinity Lake behind Trinity Dam, re-regulated in Lewiston
Lake, and diverted through a system of tunnels and powerplants into
Whiskeytown Reservoir on Clear Creek and then into the Sacramento River
through Spring Creek upstream of Keswick Dam. Water is also released
from Lewiston Dam to the Trinity River where it flows to the Klamath
River.
A portion of the water from the upper Sacramento River is
stored in Shasta Reservoir and re-regulated in Keswick Reservoir. Water
in Shasta may be diverted at Shasta Dam or released into the Sacramento
River. Water from the upper Sacramento, imports from the Trinity River
Basin, releases from other reservoirs owned or operated by local
agencies, and other inflows enter the Sacramento River and may be
diverted into the Tehama-Colusa and Corning canals at the Red Bluff
Pumping Plant.
A portion of the water from the American River is stored
in Folsom Reservoir and re-regulated in Lake Natoma. Water in Folsom
Reservoir may be diverted at Folsom Dam, be diverted into the Folsom
South Canal, or be released into the American River.
A portion of the water from the Stanislaus River is stored
in New Melones Reservoir. Water in New Melones may be released into the
Stanislaus River.
A portion of the water from the upper San Joaquin River is
stored in Millerton Reservoir behind Friant Dam. Water is diverted into
the Madera and Friant-Kern canals or released into the San Joaquin
River.
The Sacramento River and San Joaquin River carry water to
the Delta. As water moves down the mainstem of the Sacramento River,
gates at the Delta Cross Channel are operated for water quality and
flood management.
Water in the Delta may be pumped into the Contra Costa
Canal at Rock Slough and delivered to Contra Costa Water District. The
C.W. Bill Jones Pumping Plant is at the southern end of the Delta,
lifting water into the Delta Mendota Canal (DMC). CVP water is conveyed
in the DMC for direct diversion or for delivery to San Luis Reservoir.
Water from the San Luis Reservoir is also conveyed through the San Luis
Canal and Pacheco Tunnel. The DMC-California Aqueduct Intertie connects
the CVP and SWP conveyance facilities after export from the Delta.
Prior to the Jones Pumping Plant, the Tracy Fish Collection Facility
salvages salmonids and other species.
The project area includes SWP service areas downstream of the
Feather River and SWP facilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,
Cache Slough Complex, and Suisun Marsh. Feather River operations of
Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam are not addressed as part of this
consultation.
In the Cache Slough Complex the Barker Slough Pumping
Plant lifts water into the North Bay Aqueduct.
In Montezuma Slough, the Suisun Marsh Salinity Control
Gates are tidally operated to maintain fresh water in Montezuma Slough
and the Suisun Marsh.
The Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant at the southern end of
the Delta, behind Clifton Court Forebay, lifts water into the
California Aqueduct, which conveys water to the San Luis Reservoir for
storage and to the South Bay Aqueduct for deliveries to the SWP
contractors. The DMC-California Aqueduct Intertie connects the CVP and
SWP conveyance facilities after export from the Delta. Prior to the
Banks Pumping Plant, the Skinner Delta Fish Protection Facility
salvages salmonids and other species.
The SWP also pumps water through the Harvey O. Banks
Pumping Plant and conveys it through the California Aqueduct to the
Cross-Valley Canal, when the systems have capacity, for CVP water
service contractors.
Proposed Action and Preliminary Alternatives To Be Considered
The EIS will consider a range of reasonable alternatives,
consistent with 40 CFR 1502.14, including a No Action Alternative that
would continue implementation of the 2020 ROD. Reasonable alternatives
may include combinations of operation of CVP and SWP facilities and
diversions, construction actions, habitat restoration, conservation
hatchery practices, and monitoring and special studies. Reasonable
alternatives may support consultation for actions by Sacramento River
Settlement Contractors. Reasonable alternatives may include DWR
operations for new storage projects. Reclamation is considering
operation of the CVP and SWP under conditions of:
Potential hydrologic and meteorologic climate change
through 2040 including changes in precipitation, air temperatures, and
sea level;
[[Page 11095]]
Potential new storage, conveyance, and other water supply
infrastructure;
Potential implementation of voluntary agreements for the
update of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan;
Potential responses to drier years and drought conditions
such as water transfers and temporary urgency change petitions; and
Potential needs for new and adapted monitoring programs to
address current and future information needs.
Each action alternative will fulfill the requirements of the need
for the project as described in the ``Purpose and Need for Action''
section. Certain components of alternatives may be described
programmatically and be subject to further compliance. The Final EIS
will identify an agency-preferred alternative. Reclamation will
consider reasonable alternatives identified through the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process and through the input
required by Section 4004 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act, Public Law 114-322.
Summary of Potential Impacts
The EIS will identify and describe reasonably foreseeable potential
effects on the human environment from a reasonably close causal
relationship. Effects include those occurring at the same time and
place and those occurring later in time or at a different place
(whether beneficial or adverse). Potential impacts areas include
surface water supply, water quality, groundwater resources, air
quality, greenhouse gas emissions, visual resources, aquatic resources,
terrestrial biological resources, regional economics, land use and
agricultural resources, recreation, hazards and hazardous materials,
cultural resources, geology and soils, and climate change.
Reclamation expects to analyze flow management, temperature
management, habitat, interactions with CVP and SWP facilities,
conservation hatchery practices, and monitoring needs. Reclamation
expects these actions to result in incidental take that requires
consultation due to the potential to affect ESA-listed species.
Reclamation intends to pursue the conference process for Longfin Smelt.
Reclamation also anticipates analyzing differences in water supply
deliveries and surplus power generation. The EIS will analyze measures
that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse environmental effects.
Statutory Authority and Anticipated Permits
NEPA [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] requires that Federal agencies
conduct an environmental analysis of their proposed actions to
determine if the actions may significantly affect the human
environment. The EIS will analyze the environmental effects that may
result from the implementation of the proposed action and alternatives.
In addition to NEPA, various other Federal, state, and local
authorizations may be required for the Proposed Action. Applicable
Federal laws include, but are not limited to, ESA,
Magnuson[hyphen]Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
National Historic Preservation Act, and Clean Water Act.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
Reclamation will review and consider comments received during
scoping and will prepare a scoping report. After the draft EIS is
completed, anticipated in 2023, Reclamation will publish a notice of
availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. After
the public comment period ends, Reclamation will then develop the final
EIS and anticipates making the final EIS available to the public in
2024. In accordance with 40 CFR 1506.11, Reclamation will not make a
decision or issue a Record of Decision (ROD) sooner than 30 days after
the final EIS is released. Reclamation anticipates the issuance of a
ROD by October 2024.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
Reclamation will request the following Federal agencies to
participate as cooperating agencies in accordance with the NEPA:
USFWS,
NMFS,
Western Area Power Administration,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Reclamation may invite additional Federal, state, and local
agencies (e.g., DWR, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, State
Water Resources Control Board, Public Water Agencies) as potential
cooperating agencies.
Indian Trust Assets and Environmental Justice
Reclamation will consult with federally recognized Indian tribes in
the project area to request their input regarding the identification of
any properties to which they might attach religious and cultural
significance to within the area of potential effect. Once these areas
are determined, Reclamation will enter government-to-government
consultations with potentially affected tribes to identify and address
concerns for Indian Trust Assets. There are Indian Trust Assets
affected by the Trinity River Division and the potential impacts of CVP
operation on those assets will be examined in the EIS. The EIS will
examine the potential impacts to environmental justice issues
throughout the project area.
Public Disclosure
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. Speakers during scoping meetings are recorded.
How To Request Reasonable Accommodation
For special assistance at one of the scoping meetings, please
contact Cindy Meyer (above) or TDD 916-978-5608, at least five working
days before the meetings. Information regarding this proposed action is
available in alternative formats upon request.
Ernest Conant,
Regional Director, California Great Basin Region.
[FR Doc. 2022-04160 Filed 2-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4332-90-P
