[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48634-48636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20708]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Lake Curry Water Supply Project, Napa and Solano Counties, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint environmental impact 
statement/environmental impact report.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as 
amended, the Bureau of Reclamation proposes to participate in a joint 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) 
with the City of Vallejo on the City's Lake Curry Water Supply Project.
    The Lake Curry Water Supply Project is being proposed by the City 
of Vallejo (City). The City is proposing to resume use of water from 
the City's Lake Curry for municipal and industrial uses within the 
City's service area, and is evaluating alternative delivery methods for 
conveying the water to the City's Fleming Hill Water Treatment Plant in 
Vallejo for delivery to the City's service area. The City will be the 
lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

DATES: Reclamation and the City will seek public input on alternatives, 
concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR through scoping 
meetings to be held as follows:
    [sbull] Wednesday, September 10, at 7 p.m., Vallejo, CA
    [sbull] Thursday, September 18, at 7 p.m., Suisun, CA
    Written comments on the scope of alternatives and impacts should be 
submitted by September 15, 2003.
    Reclamation estimates that the draft EIS/EIR will be available for 
public review near the end of 2003.

ADDRESSES: The meeting locations are:
    [sbull] In Vallejo, CA--Joseph Room, Main Floor, John F. Kennedy 
Library, 505 Santa Clara Street

[[Page 48635]]

    [sbull] In Suisun, CA--Suisun Fire Protection District's Valley 
Station, 4965 Clayton Valley Road
    Written comments on the scope of alternatives and impacts to be 
considered should be sent to the Lake Curry Water Supply Project, c/o 
Ms. Pamela Sahin, Administrative Analyst II, City of Vallejo Utilities 
Department, Water Division, 202 Fleming Hill Road, Vallejo, CA 94589-
2332. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to Ms. Sahin at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rob Schroeder, Resource Manager, 
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Central 
California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630-1799, 
Telephone number 916-989-7274. Comments may also be submitted via e-
mail to Mr. Schroeder at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City is proposing to execute and 
implement a contract with Reclamation to convey the water from Lake 
Curry through a portion of Reclamation's Putah South Canal to the 
Terminal Reservoir for delivery to the City.
    Reclamation will consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NOAA Fisheries) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding 
potential effects of the action on species designated in accordance 
with the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
    The City was issued a Water Right Permit in 1922 and License 5728 
in 1959 by the State for storing and using water in Lake Curry for 
municipal purposes. Lake Curry was an active and important part of the 
City's water supply system between 1926 and 1992. The City also served 
water for domestic and stock watering purposes in Gordon and Suisun 
Valleys along the existing 24-inch diameter Gordon Valley pipeline, 
which conveyed the water from Lake Curry to the City. The water was 
treated at a pressure filtration plant near Lake Curry prior to 
delivery to the City and to connections outside of the City's service 
area along the Gordon Valley pipeline.
    In 1992, the City was compelled to cease delivering water from Lake 
Curry to domestic users because of stringent water treatment 
requirements adopted by the California Department of Health Services. 
Water from the Lake is currently being released to Suisun Creek at a 
rate of 2 cfs to 3 cfs.
    The City has continued to serve the users in Gordon and Suisun 
Valleys by conveying water from its Green Valley water treatment and 
Lakes transmission system, using the existing 24-inch diameter Gordon 
Valley pipeline and a distribution main.
    For several years, the City has pursued the right to use a portion 
of the Putah South Canal, a Federal facility owned and operated by 
Reclamation, to convey untreated Lake Curry water to the City's Fleming 
Hill Water Treatment Plant in Vallejo. In November 2000, Congress 
authorized Reclamation to enter into a contract to permit use of the 
lower section of the Solano Project Putah South Canal facilities for 
such purposes. For the City to use the Putah South Canal and Terminal 
Reservoir to deliver Lake Curry water to the City, it needs to enter 
such a contract with Reclamation.
    The general purposes of the Lake Curry Water Supply Project are to:
    [sbull] Resume the use of Lake Curry water supplies for municipal 
and industrial use in the City
    [sbull] Manager water releases from Lake curry to restore and 
maintain a healthy ecosystem in Suisun Creek for steelhead trout 
populations located downstream of Lake Curry, to the extent required by 
law
    [sbull] Continue to provide water service to Gordon and Suisun 
Valley customers
    [sbull] Enable the City to convey water to the City's service area 
by using the available capacity in existing facilities (Putah South 
Canal) owned by Reclamation
    Prior to 1992, the City relief on Lake Curry as an important 
component of the City's water supply. Since 1992, the City has had to 
rely solely on its other water supply sources to meet the City's needs 
and obligations. In addition to its Green Valley System (Lakes Madigan 
and Frey), the City also has an appropriative right in Barker Slough in 
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a contract for Solano Project water 
delivered through the North Bay Aqueduct. Serving water from Lake Curry 
is critical to the City in meeting its existing and future demands. 
Serving water from Lake Curry would also assist in enhancing the City's 
water supply reliability.

The City's Project

    The Lake Curry Water Supply project, as currently envisioned, would 
consist of:
    [sbull] The City using its existing 24-inch diameter Gordon Valley 
Pipeline to convey untreated water from Lake Curry south via gravity 
flow to the Putah South Canal. Water would then flow through the Canal 
to the Terminal Reservoir then through existing City infrastructure to 
the existing Fleming Hill Water Treatment Plant for treatment and 
distribution to the City's users in its service area.
    [sbull] The City installing a new 6- to 8-inch diameter water 
distribution pipeline to convey treated water from the City's existing 
Green Valley Water Treatment Plant north to Gordon Valley customers and 
to a new 150,000 to 200,000 gallon storage tank. The tank would be used 
for storage of treated water. The new pipeline would be installed 
within the County road right-of-way or within the existing easement of 
the 24-inch diameter pipeline.
    [sbull] The City releasing a portion of its untreated water supply 
from Lake Curry to Suisun Creek for protection and maintenance of 
endangered species and their habitat in the creek.
    With implementation of the Project, the City would be required to:
    [sbull] Execute and implement a long-term contract with 
Reclamation, pursuant to 43 U.S.C. section 523 (the Warren Act of 1911) 
for the conveyance of non-Federal project water from Lake Curry through 
a 5-mile long portion of the federally owned Putah South Canal ending 
at the Terminal Reservoir.
    [sbull] Obtain an easement for the installation of new facilities 
within the existing Reclamation right-of-way (needed to deliver Lake 
Curry supplies into the Putah South Canal).
    [sbull] Obtain easements and approvals/permits from Napa and Solano 
counties.
    [sbull] Obtain a General Construction Storm Water Permit from the 
State Water Resources Control Board.
    [sbull] Conduct a sanitary survey every 5 years of the Lake Curry 
watershed.
    The EIS/EIR will consider a range of alternatives including a Creek 
Conveyance Alternative and a No Action alternative.

Creek Conveyance Alternative

    The Creek Conveyance Alternative consists of the City releasing and 
conveying all untreated water from Lake Curry into and long Suisun 
Creek to the intersection of the Putah South Canal. The water would 
flow in a southerly direction in the open Suisun Creek channel 
approximately 7 miles to the Putah South Canal where it would be 
rediverted for delivery to Terminal Reservoir, then to the City's 
Fleming Hill Water Treatment Plant. With implementation of this 
alternative, the City would not use the existing 24-inch diameter 
pipeline to convey untreated Lake Curry water to Vallejo.
    The Creek Conveyance Alternative could potentially increase the 
volume of Lake Curry water available for the protection of threatened 
steelhead in Suisun Creek. By conveying all untreated water from Lake 
Curry to the

[[Page 48636]]

Canal in the creek channel, the project would conjunctively use the 
City's water supply for endangered species and their habitat in the 
creek.
    A new water diversion facility (consisting of a small diversion 
dam, a fish screen protection system, and a pump) would be constructed 
to redivert water from Suisun Creek to the Putah South Canal. The water 
would then flow in the Putah South Canal to the Terminal Reservoir, 
then through the City's existing water transmission facilities to the 
Fleming Hill Water Treatment Plant for treatment and distribution to 
the City's service area.
    In addition, the Creek Conveyance Alternative includes the 
continued conveyance of treated water north from the City's existing 
service system (Green Valley Water Treatment Plant) to customers in 
Gordon Valley and to a new 150,000 to 200,000 gallon storage tank. The 
tank would be used for storage of treated water. Conveyance of the 
treated water could be achieved by three different methods. These three 
methods are described below as Options 1, 2, and 3.
    Option 1: This treated water conveyance option includes the 
continued use of the City's existing 24-inch diameter distribution 
pipeline to convey treated water from the City's existing service 
system (Green Valley Water Treatment Plant) to customers in Gordon 
Valley and to the new water storage tank to be added.
    Option 2: This treated water conveyance option includes 
installation of a 6- to 8-inch diameter pipeline to convey treated 
water from the City's Green Valley Water Treatment Plant to customers 
in Gordon Valley and to the new water storage tank. The new pipeline 
would be installed within the right-of-way of the existing 24-inch 
diameter pipeline.
    Option 3: This treated water conveyance option includes 
installation of a 6- to 8-inch diameter pipeline to convey treated 
water from the City's existing service system (Green Valley Water 
Treatment Plant) to customers in Gordon Valley and to the new water 
storage tank. The new pipeline would be installed with the existing 24-
inch diameter pipeline. The 24-inch diameter pipeline would no longer 
be used to convey water. Its sole purpose would be to protect the 
smaller water distribution pipeline that is installed within it.
    With implementation of this Creek Conveyance Alternative, 
regardless of which option is selected, the City would also be required 
to do the following:
    [sbull] Construct a new rediversion structure in Suisun Creek, and 
obtain approval from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
    [sbull] Execute and implement a long-term contract with 
Reclamation, pursuant to 43 U.S.C. Section 523 (the Warren Act of 1911) 
for the conveyance of non-Federal water from Lake Curry through a 5-
mile long portion of the federally owned Putah South Canal ending at 
the Terminal Reservoir.
    [sbull] Obtain an easement for the installation of new facilities 
within the existing Reclamation right-of-way (needed to pump Lake Curry 
supplies to the Putah South Canal).
    [sbull] Obtained required easements and approvals/permits from Napa 
and Solano counties.
    [sbull] Obtain a Section 1603 permit from the California Department 
of Fish and Game for streambed alterations required for installation of 
the rediversion facility.
    [sbull] Obtain a General Construction Storm Water permit from the 
California State Water Resources Control Board.
    [sbull] Obtain a Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers.
    [sbull] Obtain a Section 401 Water Quality Certification/Waiver 
from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
    [sbull] Conduct a sanitary survey every 5 years of the Lake Curry 
watershed, and Wooden Valley Creek and all other creeks tributary to 
Suisun Creek above the point of rediversion.
    In addition, with implementation of this alternative, regardless of 
which option is selected, the City may elect to do the following:
    [sbull] File a Water Code Section 17017 Water Right Change petition 
with the SWRCB to provide for the use of the water for fishery and 
habitat use, and to enable the City to protect the water in the creek 
from the Gordon Valley Dam downstream to a new point of rediversion of 
Suisun Creek.

No Project Alternative

    The No Project Alternative consists of the City continuing to 
release water from Lake Curry to Suisun Creek. The purposes of the 
release are three-fold: (1) To approximate the amount of water that was 
withdrawn from the lake for municipal and industrial uses prior to 
1992, (2) to conserve cold water stored in the lake, and (3) to provide 
the downstream flood protection that was available from Lake Curry 
operation prior to 1992.
    The No Project Alternative also includes continuation of the City's 
current operation of the existing 24-inch diameter Gordon Valley 
Pipeline. Treated water from the City's existing Green Valley Water 
Treatment Plant would be pumped north in the 24-inch diameter 
distribution pipeline to customers in Gordon Valley.
    Scoping is an early and open process designed to determine the 
issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The following 
are issues that have been identified to date: Potential effects on 
steelhead trout populations; potential effects on wetland, upland, and 
aquatic habitats; potential effects on special-status vegetation and 
wildlife species; potential construction-related effects on Suisun 
Creek, along Gordon Valley Road, and natural habitats and residents 
(including water quality, noise, air quality, and transportation/
traffic effects); and potential effects on cultural resources.
    The draft EIS/EIR 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.
    If special assistance is required at the scoping meetings, contact 
Mr. Robert Schroeder at Reclamation 916-989-7274. Please notify Mr. 
Schroeder as far in advance of the workshops 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 916-989-7275.
    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 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 business, and from individuals identifying themselves 
as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, 
available for public disclosure in their entirety.

    Dated: July 7, 2003.
Frank Michny,
Regional Environmental Officer Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 03-20708 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-M