[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53079-53080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21025]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[RR02015200, 14XR0687NA, RX185279076000000]


Notice of Availability of the Upper San Joaquin River Basin 
Storage Investigation Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Madera and 
Fresno Counties, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation has made available for public review 
and comment, the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS describes the 
potential environmental effects of the No-Action Alternative and five 
action alternatives for a multiple purpose dam and reservoir to 
increase water storage for agricultural, municipal, and environmental 
uses, and improve regional water management flexibility.

DATES: Send written comments on the Draft EIS on or before October 21, 
2014.
    Two hearings will be held on the following dates:
    1. Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sacramento, CA.
    2. Thursday, October 16, 2014, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fresno, CA.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests for copies to Ms. Melissa 
Harris, Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, CA 95825, or via email to [email protected]. The 
Draft EIS is also accessible from the following Web site: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sccao/storage/index.html.
    The hearing locations are:
    1. Sacramento--Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825.
    2. Fresno--Piccadilly Inn, 2305 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, 
California 93711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Melissa Harris, Project Manager, 
916-978-5075; or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS documents the potential 
direct, indirect, and cumulative physical, biological, and 
socioeconomic environment effects that may result from the development 
of a new storage reservoir.
    The Draft EIS evaluates construction and operation of storage (1.26 
million acre-feet) and single or selective level intake structures. The 
primary project

[[Page 53080]]

objectives are to: (1) Increase water supply reliability and system 
operational flexibility for agricultural, municipal and industrial 
(M&I), and environmental purposes in the Friant Division, other San 
Joaquin Valley areas, and other regions; and (2) enhance water 
temperature and flow conditions in the San Joaquin River downstream 
from Friant Dam for salmon and other fish. The secondary objectives are 
to: (1) Reduce flood damages downstream from Friant Dam; (2) maintain 
the value of hydropower attributes; (3) maintain and increase 
recreational opportunities in the primary study area; (4) improve San 
Joaquin River water quality downstream of Friant Dam; and (5) improve 
the quality of water supplies delivered to urban areas.
    The primary study area encompasses the San Joaquin River upstream 
from Friant Dam (about 20 miles northeast of Fresno) to Kerckhoff Dam, 
including Millerton Lake and the area that would be inundated by the 
proposed reservoir; and areas that could be directly affected by 
construction-related activities, including the footprint of proposed 
temporary and permanent facilities upstream of Friant Dam. The Extended 
Study Area includes the San Joaquin River downstream from Friant Dam, 
including the Delta; lands served by San Joaquin River water rights; 
the Central Valley Project (CVP); and south-of-Delta water service 
areas of the CVP and State Water Project, Sacramento River watershed, 
the Delta, and the Central Valley Project and State Water Project 
service areas.

Authority

    Reclamation was authorized in Public Law 108-7 (Omnibus 
Appropriations Act of 2003) to conduct a feasibility-level 
investigation. Subsequent authorization and funding was provided in 
Public Law 108-361 (Bay-Delta Authorization Act of 2004).

Public Review of Draft EIS

    Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:
    1. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.
    2. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 
167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225.
    3. Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 
C Street NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240-0001.

Special Assistance for Public Hearings

    If special assistance is required at the public hearings, please 
contact Mr. Steve Geissinger, Bureau of Reclamation, Public Affairs 
Office, at [email protected]. Please notify Mr. Geissinger 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 address, phone number, email 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.

    Dated: August 20, 2014.
Pablo R. Arroyave,
Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-21025 Filed 9-4-14; 8:45 am]
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