[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-858]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Colusa Basin Initial Plan/Integrated Resource Management Program, 
Colusa Basin, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement/
environmental impact report (EIS/EIR).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and section 21061 of the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation 
(Reclamation) and the Colusa Basin Drainage District (District) plan to 
prepare a joint programmatic and project-level EIS/EIR for the Colusa 
Basin Initial Plan/Integrated Resource Management Program (Program), 
Colusa Basin, California. Reclamation will be the lead agency under 
NEPA, and the District will be the lead agency under CEQA.
    Reclamation and the District have developed a Program that 
incorporates a variety of measures and potential projects which would 
meet flood protection objectives and would address long-term water 
management and water quality goals. Specifically, the Program would 
help reduce peak flood flows, reducing the potential for future flood 
damage. The Program would also provide opportunities to increase 
groundwater supplies, increase surface water storage, and increase the 
quantity of water available for environmental and wildlife uses. 
Specific projects to be considered as part of the project-level 
analysis include: reservoirs on Funks, Wilson and Cortina creeks; a 
groundwater recharge basin in the Orland-Artois area; small weirs on 
Sand and Salt creeks; improved management and maintenance of the Colusa 
Basin Drain; and improved methods to manage runoff and enhance riparian 
corridors.
    Scoping meetings will be conducted to seek public and agency input 
on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR.

DATES: Two scoping meetings will be held on January 28, 1998, from 3:00 
p.m. to 5:00 p.m and again from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Willows 
City Hall, 201 North Lassen Street, Willows CA 95988.
    The lead agencies anticipate that the EIS/EIR will be available for 
public review in the summer of 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of alternatives and impacts to 
be considered or in regard to the scoping meetings should be sent to 
Mr. Steve Brown, Colusa Basin Initial Plan/Integrated Resource 
Management Program, 3100 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 170, Sacramento, CA 
95851-0408, by February 16, 1998. Mr. Brown may be reached at (916) 
852-5080 for additional information regarding the proposed project or 
scoping meetings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It has long been recognized that the Colusa 
Basin faces significant flooding problems during the winter and from 
drainage discharges during the spring and summer. On the average, 
estimated damage caused by wintertime flooding totals about $1.2 
million. Although rare, extreme rain-induced flooding can cause damage 
of disaster proportions. For instance, in 1995, estimated damages 
totaled in excess of $100 million. In 1987, the District was created to 
address flood control, drainage, and subsidence problems occurring 
within the 650,000 acres of the multi-county, multi-jurisdictional 
Colusa Basin.
    The goals of the Program are to:
     Provide flood and drainage water protection for both urban 
and agricultural interests;
     Preserve and sustain agricultural production, which is the 
mainstay of the economy within the Colusa Basin;
     Capture surface storm water for conservation, conjunctive 
use, and increased water supplies;
     Assist in groundwater recharge efforts to help alleviate 
overdraft and land subsidence problems occurring within the Colusa 
Basin;
     Improve and enhance opportunities for restoration of 
wetlands and riparian habitats; and
     Improve water quality.
    These six goals have been translated into specific facility 
measures that would provide the greatest degree of flood protection 
feasible, given the topography and hydrology of the Colusa Basin. The 
facility measures include:
1. New Structural Facilities

A. Small detention dams
B. Construction of stock ponds
C. Groundwater recharge in former gravel quarries
D. Stream bed restoration through construction of weirs to slow down 
storm water and sediment transport
2. Improved Operations and Maintenance of Existing Facilities
A. Potential diversion and rediversion of flood flows for groundwater 
recharge
B. Removal of obstructions in the Colusa Drain
3. New Nonstructural Facilities

A. Stream bed/riparian corridor enhancement through programs such as 
``Adopt a Watershed''
B. Implementation of Best Management Practices
     Orchards
     Grazing lands
     Other crops (including rice straw decomposition)
C. Environmental Enhancements
     Wetlands creation
     Revegetation of the Colusa Drain and other waterways with 
native plants
     Habitat creation

    In addition to the Program measures identified above, Reclamation 
and the District prioritized areas in which potential projects would 
meet the Program goals and provide the greatest overall benefits. 
Specifically, nine projects were identified that would improve the 
Colusa Drain and achieve the goals most cost effectively. A broad-based 
local task force consisting of agricultural and environmental 
interests; urban and rural officials; Federal, State, and local 
agencies; and technical experts participated in a series of public 
workshops and meetings where four of these projects were given the 
highest priority for early implementation of the Program. These 
projects include the Funks Creek Reservoir, the Wilson Creek Reservoir, 
the Orland-Artois Groundwater Recharge, and the Cortina Creek 
Reservoir. Reclamation and the District would also implement a project 
to maintain and enhance the Colusa Drain and construct a water quality/
flow monitoring system throughout the Colusa Basin. Other projects 
consistent with the Program may be implemented in the future.

    Dated: January 8, 1998.
Kirk C. Rodgers,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-858 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-09-P