[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 24844] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-11455] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Los Angeles County Drainage Area Water Conservation and Supply Study, Hansen and Lopez Reservoirs, Los Angeles County, California AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District will prepare a joint EIS/EIR to evaluate the feasibility of establishing both a year-round water conservation pool and seasonal water supply pool at Hansen Reservoir and a year-round water conservation pool at Lopez Reservoir. Both reservoirs are located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County and both are components of the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) system. The study was developed in response to local concerns regarding future water supply sources, given continued regional population growth, dwindling imported water supplies, and continued increases in the cost of water. Establishment of water conservation at these reservoirs would increase groundwater reserves by extending the period water is available for release to downstream spreading grounds. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action and DEIS/EIR can be answered by: Mr. Gary Gunther, Study Manager, (213) 894-3825, or Mr. William Butler, Environmental Manager, (213) 894-0245, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, California 90053-22325. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: a. Authority Study authority is provided under authority of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 102-377). b. Proposed Action/Alternatives The proposed action for Hansen Reservoir would utilize the existing debris pool up to elevation 1010.5 ft NGVD and portions of the flood control pool on a seasonable basis up to elevation 1040.0 ft NGVD for water conservation purposes. The proposed action for Lopez Reservoir would utilize the entire debris pool storage volume (elevation 1,272.92 feet) for year-round water conservation. Releases would match the intake capacity of the downstream spreading grounds. No seasonal pool is proposed. c. Scoping An extensive mailing list has been developed which includes Federal, State and local agencies and other interested public and private organizations and parties. Individuals on the mailing list will be sent a copy of each notice announcing a public scoping meeting. An initial public scoping meeting was held on March 21, 1995. Additional public meetings will be scheduled during the review period for the draft EIS/EIR. Specific meeting dates, times, and places will be published in local newspapers. Formal coordination with the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies has begun. d. Potentially Significant Issues Potentially significant issues identified include impacts to land and water use, biological resources including endangered species and riparian resources, recreation and cultural resources, and sand and gravel mining operations. e. Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR The draft EIS/EIR is expected to be available to the public for review and comment beginning in September of 1997. f. Comments Comments and questions regarding the project may be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, ATTN: Mr. Gary Gunther, CESPL-PD-WA, or Mr. William Butler, CESPL-PD-RN, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, California 90053-2325. Dated: April 14, 1995. Michael R. Robinson, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer. [FR Doc. 95-11455 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M