[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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