[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 184 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54616-54617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22045]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Franks Tract, Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement/
environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public scoping 
meetings.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of 
Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water 
Resources (DWR) intend to prepare an EIS/EIR for the Franks Tract 
Project. Reclamation is the lead Federal agency under NEPA and DWR is 
the lead State agency under CEQA for preparation of the EIS/EIR.
    The Franks Tract Project is designed to address water quality and 
fish protection issues in the central and southern Sacramento-San 
Joaquin River Delta (Delta). The project would consist of the 
construction of barriers around Franks Tract to prevent salinity 
intrusion and the movement of sensitive fish species into the central 
and southern Delta.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR will be accepted on 
or before November 21, 2008.
    A series of public scoping meetings will be held to solicit public 
input on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/
EIR. The meeting dates are as follows:
     Monday, October 6, 2008, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sacramento, 
CA.
     Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Rio Vista, 
CA.
     Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Antioch, 
CA.
     Thursday, October 9, 2008, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Stockton, 
CA.

ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting locations are:
     Sacramento at the Federal Building, Cafeteria Conference 
Rooms C-1001 and C-1002, 2800 Cottage Way.
     Rio Vista at the Memorial Building, 610 St. Francis Way.
     Antioch at the Contra Costa Public Library, 501 W. 18th 
Street.
     Stockton at the Memorial Civic Auditorium, North Hall, 525 
North Center Street.
    Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR should be sent to Ms. 
Lynnette Wirth, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Public 
Affairs, Sacramento, CA 95825, e-mailed to [email protected], or faxed 
to 916-978-5114.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon McHale, Reclamation Project 
Manager, at 916-978-5086 (TDD 916-978-5608), or via e-mail at 
[email protected]; or Mr. Ajay Goyal, DWR Project Manager, at 916-
651-9823, or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project location would be in the 
vicinity of Franks Tract in the Delta. Franks Tract is connected 
tidally to the San Joaquin River via False River. During low flow 
conditions, high salinity water enters Franks Tract on flood tide while 
fresher water flows back into False River during ebb tide. The higher 
salinity water mixes within Franks Tract and is drawn into Old River 
through levee breaches on the east side of Franks Tract. These 
conditions impact salinity conditions in the adjacent Delta channels 
and the central and south Delta.

Background

    The CALFED Bay-Delta Authorization Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-361) 
authorized the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study 
and actions at Franks Tract to improve water quality in the Delta. As 
part of the feasibility study, an EIS/EIR is required to address 
environmental effects.

Objectives

    The objectives of the Franks Tract Project are:
     To improve the quality of water in the central and south 
Delta being pumped at the Central Valley Project, C.W. ``Bill'' Jones 
Pumping Plant and the State Water Project, Harvey O. Banks Pumping 
Plant.
     To improve fisheries conditions throughout the Delta.

Alternatives

    The following alternatives are currently under consideration:
     Operable Gates on False River: This alternative involves 
installation of operable gates on the West False River near the 
confluence with the San Joaquin River west of Franks Tract. The barrier 
would provide a physical obstruction to salt intrusion entering Franks 
Tract via the western end of False River.
     Operable Gate on Three Mile Slough: This alternative 
involves installation of an operable gate in Three Mile Slough. The 
barrier would be closed on ebb tide to prevent water from the San 
Joaquin River from entering the Sacramento River. This action serves to 
keep flow in the San Joaquin River and increases the net westerly flow 
past Jersey Point.

Special Assistance for Public Scoping Meetings

    If special assistance is required at the public hearings, please 
contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5100, TDD 916-978-5608, or via e-
mail at [email protected]. Please notify Ms. Wirth as far in advance 
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 916-978-5608.

Public Disclosure

    Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, 
or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should 
be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.


[[Page 54617]]


    Dated: August 13, 2008.
Susan M. Fry,
Regional Environmental Officer, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. E8-22045 Filed 9-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P