[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37902-37903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18085]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation


South Bay Water Recycling Project, San Jose, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public hearings on the 
draft environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared 
a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the South Bay Water 
Recycling Project (SBWRP). The DEIS is based on a 1992 environmental 
impact report (EIR) prepared by the City of San Jose (City). The SBWRP 
would divert treated freshwater effluent from South San Francisco Bay 
through a water reclamation program. This would include construction of 
pump stations and recycled distribution pipelines. Reclamation would 
provide a grant of up to 25 percent of the total project cost to the 
City to support the SBWRP. A public hearing will be held to receive 
written or verbal comments on the DEIS from interested organizations 
and individuals on the environmental impacts of the proposal.

DATES: The DEIS will be available on August 1, 1995 for a 60-day public 
review period.
    A public hearing on the DEIS will be held on August 23, 1995 at 
4:00 p.m. at the San Jose Convention Center, First Floor, Room L, 150 
West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the DEIS and requests for copies of the 
DEIS should be addressed to Mona Jefferies-Soniea, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Division of Resources Management Planning, 2800 Cottage 
Way, Sacramento, CA 95825; telephone: (916) 979-2297.
    Copies of the DEIS are also available for public inspection and 
review at the following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Liaison, 1849 
C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240; telephone: (202) 208-6274
     Bureau of Reclamation, Regional Director, Attn: MP-720 
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 979-2297
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Library, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916)979-2462
     City of San Jose, Environmental Services Department, Tech. 
Support Division., 700 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA 95134; telephone: 
(408)945-5300

Libraries

    Copies will also be available for inspection at public libraries 
located in San Jose (Main, Alviso, Berryessa, East San Jose, Carnegie, 
and Empire Branches)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jefferies-Soniea at the above 
address and telephone.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SBWRP, formerly known as the San Jose 
Nonpotable Reclamation Project, was developed in response to an order 
from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and San Francisco 
Regional Water Quality Control Board in order to re-establish salinity 
levels of the salt water marsh in the southern tip of San Francisco 
Bay. In addition to protecting the South Bay habitat, the program also 
develops nonpotable water supply for the Santa Clara Valley, which can 
be used in place of potable water for appropriate purposes. Funding 
will come from loans from the State Water Resources Control Board and 
EPA, a grant from Reclamation, and local funding.
    The SBWRP would be implemented in two phases: Phase I would consist 
of installing facilities to supply up to 9,000 acre-feet/year of 
nonpotable water for landscape irrigation, agriculture and industrial 
uses. Phase II would consist of installing facilities to supply an 
additional up to 27,000 acre-feet/year for either nonpotable or potable 
use.
    The City completed a final EIR for the SBWRP in November 1992. At 
that time, Reclamation had not been involved and therefore no 
compliance with NEPA was needed. The EIS will be based on this final 
EIR. The EIR analyzed Phase I in detail and analyzed Phase II 
programmatically.
    The proposed action (Phase I) is to construct pump stations, 
storage tanks, 48.5 miles of 6 to 54-inch diameter pipeline and 
appurtenant facilities in the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, and 
Milpitas. There would also be minor modifications of the existing San 
Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant to provide additional 
chlorination.
    Alternatives to the proposed action include:
     Pipeline Alignment Alternative, to avoid construction of 
pipelines near residences.
     Flow Allocation Alternative, which would allocate most of 
the reclaimed water for potable uses. The water would be used for 
groundwater recharge, mainly using percolation basins.
     Habitat Enhancement Alternative, to also supply water to 
riparian restoration areas along creeks and rivers in the study area, 
as well as for potable and other nonpotable purposes.
     No Action.

Hearing Process Information

    Written comments, for inclusion in the hearing record, from those 
unable to attend the hearing or wishing to supplement their oral 
presentation should be received at the Bureau of Reclamation by 
September 6, 1995.


[[Page 37903]]

    Note: If special assistance is required, contact Mona Jefferies-
Soniea at (916) 979-2297. Please notify Ms. Jefferies-Soniea as far 
in advance of the hearings as possible and not later than 1 week 
prior to the hearing date to enable Reclamation to secure the needed 
services. If a request cannot be honored, the requester will be 
notified.

    Dated: July 17, 1995.
Dan M. Fults,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-18085 Filed 7-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P