[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46999-47002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17946]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


San Luis Reservoir Low Point Improvement Project, California

AGENCY: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969 (as amended), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), 
Reclamation and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) 
propose to prepare a joint EIR/EIS for the San Luis Reservoir Low Point 
Improvement Project (Project). The Project is being proposed by the 
District to maintain a healthy, clean water supply for the District and 
other contractors of Reclamation's San Felipe Division. The term ``low 
point'' refers to a range of pool elevations in San Luis Reservoir (in 
Merced County, California) within which seasonal algae blooms can 
create water quality problems directly affecting the treatability and 
reliability of deliveries to Central Valley Project (CVP) San Felipe 
Division contractors (the District is a member of CVP's San Felipe 
Division). An additional goal of the Project is to increase the 
operational flexibility of the San Luis Reservoir and to improve the 
reliability of deliveries to the District and other San Felipe Division 
contractors. The District will be the lead agency under CEQA.

DATES: Reclamation and the District will seek public input on 
alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIR/EIS 
through scoping meetings in August, 2002. Scoping is an early and open 
process designed to determine the issues and alternatives to be 
addressed in the EIR/EIS. The schedule and locations of the scoping 
meetings are as follows:
     Scoping Meeting 1: August 26, 2002, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., San 
Jose, California.

[[Page 47000]]

     Scoping Meeting 2: August 27, 2002, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., San 
Luis Reservoir, California.
    The draft EIR/EIS is expected to be available for public review at 
the end of 2003.

ADDRESSES: Meeting locations are:
     Scoping Meeting 1: Santa Clara Valley Water District, 
Board Meeting Room, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, California.
     Scoping Meeting 2: San Luis Reservoir Romero Visitor 
Center, Highway 152, San Luis Reservoir, California.
    Written comments on the project scope of alternatives and impacts 
to be considered should be sent to Mr. Kurt Arends of the Santa Clara 
Valley Water District, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Moody of Reclamation at 1243 N 
Street, Fresno, CA 93727, telephone: (559) 487-5179. Additional 
information can also be found at http://www.Valleywater.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The San Luis Reservoir is among the largest reservoirs in the 
state, and represents a significant component of the District, the CVP, 
and the State Water Project (SWP) water supply. When water levels in 
San Luis Reservoir are low, high water temperatures combined with wind-
induced mixing can result in algae blooms at the reservoir's water 
surface, which can extend down more than 30 feet. As reservoir storage 
drops below about 300,000 acre-feet (approximate elevation 369), algae 
can be drawn into the San Felipe Division intake structure. This 
condition can: (1) Cause taste and odor problems; (2) become difficult 
or impractical to treat; (3) foul drip irrigation systems; and/or (4) 
eliminate the possibility of delivering any water to the San Felipe 
Division. To minimize these conditions, the reservoir is currently 
operated to attempt to maintain reservoir storage above problematic 
levels.
    Recognizing the need to resolve the low point problem, the Low 
Point Improvement Project was included in the August 28, 2000, CALFED 
Bay-Delta Program's Programmatic Record of Decision as a complementary 
conveyance action. The low point problem currently creates water 
quality, reliability, and operational impacts to the District, other 
San Felipe Division contractors, the CVP, and the SWP. The results of 
these impacts are additional operating costs, risks to public health 
and safety, and economic losses to agriculture and industry. There are 
also significant opportunity costs to the CVP and SWP as a result of 
their inability to fully utilize all of the available storage in the 
reservoir. These impacts will increase in the future as the low point 
occurs more frequently and for a longer duration. The following summary 
includes information on San Luis Reservoir, current and future 
operations, as well as impacts to users.

San Luis Reservoir

    Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) 
jointly own the San Luis Reservoir to store and reregulate CVP and SWP 
water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. San Luis Reservoir is an 
off-stream water storage facility that stores water for both the SWP 
and CVP; construction was completed in 1967. The State owns a little 
more than half of the 2,042,000 acre-feet water storage capacity. The 
reservoir is operated by the DWR; however, operational decisions are 
coordinated with Reclamation and the CVP. San Luis Reservoir serves as 
the major storage reservoir and O'Neill Forebay acts as an equalizing 
basin for the upper stage dual-purpose pumping-generating plant. Pumps 
located at the base of O'Neill Dam convey water from the Delta-Mendota 
Canal through an intake channel and discharge it into O'Neill Forebay. 
The California Aqueduct flows directly into O'Neill Forebay. The 
pumping-generating units lift the water from O'Neill Forebay and 
discharge it into the main reservoir. Releases from San Luis Reservoir 
are made through the Gianelli Pumping-Generating Plant to the San Luis 
Canal and to the Pacheco Pumping Plant for the San Felipe Division.

Reservoir Water Quality

    In the summer months, when water levels are low, water quality 
deteriorates due to a combination of higher water temperatures, wind-
induced nutrient mixing, and algae blooms near the reservoir surface. 
Algae content is of primary importance during periods of reservoir 
drawdown, when the surface water elevation drops to within 20 to 30 
feet of the inlet to the Pacheco Pumping Plant. Under these conditions, 
poor water quality may be delivered to the San Felipe Division 
contractors. Additional factors may also contribute to algae problems 
in the reservoir. The reservoir is operated as an active offstream 
storage facility, and therefore, has a relatively short detention time. 
The reservoir also has an unusual configuration with a very large 
surface area and a relatively shallow depth (a contributing factor in 
algal bloom formation and persistence).

Current Operations

    San Luis Reservoir is operated by filling in the wet winter months 
and draining in the dry summer months. Drawdown typically begins in 
about March and reaches the low point in August or September. 
Historically, the SWP and CVP have cooperated to try and maintain 
reservoir elevations above the low point capacity of 300,000 acre-feet.

Future Operations

    Although the CVP and SWP have cooperated to try to maintain San 
Luis Reservoir above 300,000 acre-feet to date, there is no guarantee 
that they will do so in the future. In fact, as demands on the CVP and 
SWP continue to grow and Delta export pumping restrictions for 
environmental purposes occur more frequently, pressure will increase to 
fully utilize the available storage in San Luis Reservoir.
    The State and Federal Governments coordinate implementation of all 
CALFED projects through the use of a common set of assumptions relative 
to water supply, hydrology, and operations. The primary method for 
providing technical consistency is the use of the CALSIM II model for 
operational studies, which provides a baseline condition for comparing 
project impacts at current and future levels of development. 
Preliminary results of CALSIM II operational modeling indicate that San 
Luis Reservoir will be drawn down below 300,000 acre-feet more 
frequently and for longer durations in the future.

Impacts to the District

    The District has entitlement to 152,500 acre-feet per year of water 
from the San Felipe Division, which is critical to meeting the demands 
of 1.6 million residents and important high-technology industries. As 
storage in the reservoir drops to approximately 300,000 acre-feet, 
quality, reliability, and operational impacts occur as follows:
     Water Quality Degradation--Algae entering the intakes 
could cause: potential impacts on water treatment plant production 
rates and increased risk of being unable to meet treated water demands; 
increased risk of exceeding primary water quality standards for 
disinfection byproducts and secondary standards for taste and odor; and 
increased costs of both treating water for taste and odor problems as 
well as for monitoring and responding as impacts occur.

[[Page 47001]]

     Interruption in Water Supply--If San Luis Reservoir water 
quality becomes unacceptable for treatment, the supply to the District 
would be interrupted, which would have a serious water supply, public 
health and safety, and economic risk to Santa Clara County. Once the 
reservoir drops to elevation 334 (110 TAF capacity), the Pacheco 
Pumping Plant is unable to deliver water. This condition would result 
in an interruption in supply due to water supply availability. However, 
it is likely that the water supply would be interrupted prior to 
reaching this condition due to untreatable water quality. In either 
case, the potential interruption in water supply creates a major 
reliability impact to the District and other San Felipe Division 
contractors. The potential interruption to water supply would also 
occur at the time of year when water supply demands are at their peak.
     Reoperation of Water Supply System--Due to the risks to 
water quality and reliability from the low point problem, District 
operations must be modified annually in order to prepare for a worst 
case scenario. Modifications typically involve reoperating supply and 
conveyance systems and/or rescheduling CVP deliveries to minimize 
reliance on CVP supplies during low point conditions. These actions 
disrupt District operations and result in additional costs.

Impacts to Other San Felipe Division Contractors

    The low point problem also results in water quality and reliability 
impacts to other San Felipe Division contractors, including the San 
Benito County Water District, which receives San Luis Reservoir 
supplies from the Hollister Conduit, and the Pajaro Valley Water 
Management Agency, which is in the process of implementing a pipeline 
project to connect to the Santa Clara Conduit for future delivery of 
San Luis Reservoir water.

Impacts to the CVP

    The low point will be an ongoing constraint to the operational 
flexibility and reliability of San Luis Reservoir and will have 
increasing CVP impacts. Eliminating the low point operating constraint 
could improve operational flexibility of the CVP.

Project Objectives

    The objectives of the Low Point Improvement Project are to:
     Resolve the water quality problems associated with the San 
Luis Reservoir low point. The District and other San Felipe Division 
contractors want to maintain a consistent healthy, clean, and 
affordable water supply that meets or exceeds all applicable water 
quality standards in a cost-effective manner. Reclamation seeks to 
maintain and protect the water it delivers to CVP contractors. By 
resolving the water quality problems associated with the San Luis 
Reservoir low point, the District will be able to better predict the 
quality of water it is supplied, ensure the health and safety of its 
water supply, and maximize the efficiency of its water supply and 
treatment system. Resolving the water quality problems would reduce the 
risk of exceeding water quality standards, reduce costs of water 
treatment, reduce operating costs for monitoring, and reduce the risk 
of exceeding the capacity of drip irrigation filtering systems.
     Improve the reliability of deliveries to the District and 
other San Felipe Division contractors. There is a need to improve the 
reliability of water supplies to the San Felipe Division contractors 
without adversely affecting deliveries of CVP and SWP water. Improving 
the reliability of water would avoid public health and economic impacts 
associated with water quality degradation and potential water supply 
interruptions. Improving water supply reliability would ensure that 
existing contract allocations to the San Felipe Division are met by 
Reclamation and that the District and other San Felipe Division 
contractors meet their water supply obligations.
     Increase the operational flexibility of the San Luis 
Reservoir. There is a need to eliminate the low point operational 
constraints on the delivery of water from San Luis Reservoir. Through 
collaborative efforts, Reclamation, the District, and CVP contractors 
have occasionally modified operations to minimize the potential of San 
Luis Reservoir dropping below 300,000 acre-feet. However, these 
operational changes cannot be sustained over the long term as they 
reduce the likelihood of deliveries of full contract supplies to CVP 
contractors. A long-term, regional solution is needed to eliminate the 
constraints on San Luis Reservoir operations. Resolving the low point 
problem will increase the effective storage capacity in San Luis 
Reservoir by allowing the State and Federal projects to continue to 
draw down San Luis Reservoir in accordance with existing operating 
rules and regulations without impact to the San Felipe Division.
     Provide opportunities for project-related environmental 
improvements. In accordance with the District's Ends Policies, an 
objective of the Project will be to protect environmental resources and 
to identify project related opportunities for environmental 
improvements by enhancing or restoring the natural benefits of streams 
and watersheds. Environmental improvements, where feasible, will be a 
direct component of the project's integrated solution. The Project, 
where feasible and appropriate, will also provide project-related 
opportunities for recreation, hydropower, and flood control benefits. 
The goal is a multi-purpose project with regional benefits.

Potential Alternatives

    A wide range of conceptual alternatives is being considered to 
address the low point problem. A total of 9 major conceptual 
alternatives have been identified to date and include:

No Project Alternative

    A No Action Alternative that represents existing conditions will be 
analyzed. The No Action Under Projected Future Conditions will also be 
analyzed.

Institutional Alternatives

    Institutional Alternatives include non-structural measures such as 
implementation of pumping limitations and amended operation plans or 
agreements for San Luis Reservoir.

Source Water Quality Control Alternatives

    Source Water Quality Control Alternatives would be implemented on-
site at San Luis Reservoir. Potential methods under consideration 
include reservoir aeration, algaecide application, algae harvesting, 
and managed stratification of waters in San Luis Reservoir.

Water Treatment Alternatives

    Potential Water Treatment Alternatives include additional treatment 
of water supplies by methods such as dissolved air flotation.

Bypass Alternatives

    Bypass Alternatives include the construction of pump stations, 
pipelines, and tunnels that bypass the San Luis Reservoir. Potential 
routes under consideration include a pipeline originating at the 
O'Neill Forebay, at the California Aqueduct, or at the Delta-Mendota 
Canal and proceeding around or under the San Luis Reservoir. The bypass 
pipelines would terminate at the intake to the San Felipe Division 
facilities.

Storage Alternatives

    Storage Alternatives include expansion of existing District 
reservoirs,

[[Page 47002]]

such as Anderson Reservoir or construction of a new dam and reservoir 
in the foothills east of the Santa Clara Valley. Potential sites for a 
new dam and reservoir include Pacheco Reservoir on Pacheco Creek, 
upstream of the existing Pacheco Reservoir; Packwood Reservoir, east of 
the existing Anderson Reservoir; Coe Reservoir inside Henry Coe State 
Park; Los Osos Reservoir south of Henry Coe Park; and Cedar Creek 
Reservoir southwest of the existing Pacheco Reservoir.

Integrated District Solutions

    Integrated District Solutions involve use of existing District 
facilities such as the groundwater basin, water reuse and recycling, 
interties with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, or 
reconfiguration and reoperation of the District's in-County water 
transmission and distribution system.

Desalination

    Desalination would involve treatment of alternative supplies from 
San Francisco Bay or Monterey Bay.

Integrated CALFED Solutions

    Integrated CALFED Solutions include use of water supplies from an 
expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir or use of an enlarged South Bay 
Aqueduct to facilitate delivery of SCVWD water supplies.
    The draft EIR/EIS will focus on the impacts and benefits of 
implementing the various alternatives. It will contain an analysis of 
the physical, biological, social, and economic impacts arising from the 
alternatives. In addition, it will address the cumulative impacts of 
implementation of the alternatives in conjunction with other past, 
present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. The following are issues 
that have been identified by Reclamation to date: water quality; 
agricultural and municipal water supply reliability and quality; water 
supply system flexibility and reliability; diversity of water supply 
sources; construction-related effects on urban areas and natural 
habitats.

Interests in Assets Held in Trust

    An initial review of available data indicates that there are no 
known Indian Trust lands that would be affected by the project.

Disclosure of Public Comments

    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual 
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from public 
disclosure, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There 
also may be circumstances in which we would withhold a respondent's 
identity from public disclosure, as allowable by law. If you wish us to 
withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. We will make all submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.

Special Assistance

    If special assistance is required, contact Mr. Kevin Moody at 
Reclamation (559) 487-5179. Please notify Mr. Moody as far in advance 
of the scoping meetings as possible to enable Reclamation to secure the 
needed services. If a request cannot be honored, the requestor will be 
notified. A telephone device for the hearing impaired (TDD) is 
available at (559) 487-5933.

    Dated: June 25, 2002.
Frank Michny,
Regional Environmental Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-17946 Filed 7-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P