[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10011-10012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4924]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[(CA-610-5101-01-B109) CACA-40467]


Cadiz Groundwater Storage and Dry-Year Supply Program Proposed 
Pipeline and Plan Amendment, San Bernardino County, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management 
(``BLM''), in cooperation with The Metropolitan Water District of 
Southern California (``Metropolitan''), will prepare a joint 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (``joint 
EIS/EIR'') for proposed right-of-way for proposed Cadiz Water Storage 
and Dry-Year Supply Program (``Project'') on Federal lands in the 
Mojave Desert Region of San Bernardino County, California. The proposed 
action will also include a proposed plan amendment to the California 
Desert Plan.
    The Project would consist of: (1) A proposed right-of-way for the 
construction and operation of a six-foot diameter pipeline from 
Metropolitan's Iron Mountain Pumping Plant on the Colorado River 
Aqueduct (``CRA'') to the project proponent's property in the Cadiz/
Fenner area, approximately 35 miles to the northeast; (2) pumping to 
lift CRA water supplies to the Cadiz/Fenner area including the possible 
need to modify a pump at the Iron Mountain Pumping Plant; (3) 
construction and operation of a series of spreading basins 
(approximately 200-300 acres), and (4) construction and operation of a 
well

[[Page 10012]]

field for extraction of groundwater in the Cadiz/Fenner area.
    Three alternative Project configurations are being considered, 
along with the No Project alternative. The BLM will be asked to issue 
right-of-way permits for the construction of portions of the water 
conveyance facility and possibly other facilities which are proposed to 
traverse federal lands. All three alternative Project configurations 
involve lands currently managed by BLM.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project begins near the MWD 
Iron Mountain Pumping Plant in southeast San Bernardino County. The 
proposed 35-mile pipeline alignment is north to the Cadiz area. The 
proposed plan amendment is to allow the proposed pipeline be placed 
outside an utility corridor. The aquifer system (``Aquifer System'') 
which underlies a portion of the Project area, located in the Cadiz and 
Fenner valleys (``Cadiz/Fenner area'') of San Bernardino County, has 
been identified as a potential site for underground storage of Colorado 
River water. This water would be delivered to the Cadiz/Fenner area 
west of the Ship Mountains from the Colorado River Aqueduct (``CRA'') 
and by way of an underground pipeline. The stored Colorado River water 
would be subsequently withdrawn when needed and returned to the CRA via 
the pipeline to meet Metropolitan's water supply needs. In addition, 
indigenous groundwater in the area of the stored water would also be 
transferred utilizing the same facilities. The Project would have a 
term of 50 years. Metropolitan supplies supplemental imported water 
from the State Water Project and the Colorado River to its member 
agencies in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles 
and Ventura Counties.

DATES: Written comments are requested on this notice concerning the 
scope of analysis of the draft EIS/EIR. Comments must be received on or 
before March 31, 1999. It is important that those interested in the 
management of the BLM properties within the Project area provide input 
at this time. A Notice of Availability will be published when the Draft 
joint EIS/EIR is available for public review.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments concerning the scope of the analysis 
for the Cadiz Water Storage and Dry-Year Supply Program Pipeline in 
writing to Mr. James Williams, Supervisor Realty Specialist, Bureau of 
Land Management, California Desert District, 6221 Box Springs 
Boulevard, Riverside. California, 92507, (909) 697-5390.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Williams at the above 
address.

    Dated: February 23, 1999.
Douglas A. Romoli,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-4924 Filed 2-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M