[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]



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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.

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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]

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