[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25687-25688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12747]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
FES 96 29
South Bay Water Recycling Project, San Jose, California
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability on the final 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 final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the South Bay Water
Recycling Project (SBWRP). The FEIS 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.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS are also available for the public 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 at public libraries located in San
Jose (Main, Alviso, Berryessa, East San Jose, Carnegie, and Empire
Branches).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mona Jefferies-Soniea, Bureau of
Reclamation, Division of Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA
95825; telephone (916) 979-2297.
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 the California
Regional Water Quality Control Board--San Francisco Region 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 to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.
At that time, Reclamation had not been involved and therefore no
federal requirement for compliance with NEPA existed. The FEIS is 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.
The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was issued August
1, 1995. Responses to comments received from interested organizations
and individuals on the DEIS are addressed in the FEIS. No decision will
be made on the proposed action until 30 days after the release of the
FEIS. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a
Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will state the action that will be
implemented and will discuss all factors leading to the decision.
[[Page 25688]]
Dated: May 7, 1996.
Roger K. Patterson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-12747 Filed 5-21-96 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P