[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 24845] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-11456] [[Page 24845]] DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 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, Whittier Narrows and Santa Fe 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 Whittier Narrows and Santa Fe Reservoirs. Both reservoirs are located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County and both are components of the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) system. The study will also investigate the potential feasibility of integrating the operations of various county-operated detention facilities in the upper watershed with water conservation and supply at Whittier and Santa Fe. 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: Ms. Colette Diede, Study Manager, (213) 894-5440, or Ms. Lois Goodman, Environmental Manager, (213) 894-0535, 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 (Public Law 102-377). b. Proposed Action/Alternatives The proposed action for Santa Fe Reservoir is to utilize the existing debris pool up to elevation 456.0 NGVD for year-round water conservation and portions of the flood control pool up to the elevation 459.0 NGVD on a seasonal basis for water conservation purposes. The proposed action for Whittier Narrows Reservoir would utilize the existing debris pool up to elevation 206.0 NGVD for year-round water conservation and portions of the flood control pool up to elevation 209.0 on a seasonal basis for water conservation purposes. Another element of this study would investigate the feasibility of integrating the operation of various county-run dentation basins in the upper watershed within the operations at Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows. 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 receive a copy of the initial notice and all subsequent notices announcing additional scoping meetings. An initial public scoping meeting was held on March 23, 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, and recreation and cultural resources. 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: Ms. Colette Diede, CESPL-PD-WA, or Ms. Lois Goodman, CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, California 90053-2325. Dated: April 14, 1995. Michael R. Robinson, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer. [FR Doc. 95-11456 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M