APPENDIX A Notices and Public Involvement
A-1. Scoping Report
A-2. CCWD CEQA Notice of Completion
A-3. Reclamation Notice of Availability
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project A-1 February 2009 Draft EIS/EIR A-1 SCOPING REPORT
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project February 2009 Draft EIS/EIR LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR EXPANSION PROJECT Scoping Report
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region April 2008 LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR EXPANSION PROJECT Scoping Report
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region April 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Scoping Report
Page
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Proposed Action 1 1. Project Objectives 2 2. Reservoir Expansion Alternatives 4
3.0 Opportunities for Public Comment 7 1. Notification 7 2. Information Open House and Public Scoping Meetings 7
4.0 Summary of Scoping Comments 8 1. Commenting Parties 9 2. Comments Received During the Scoping Process (Written and Oral) 9
5.0 Consideration of Issues Raised in Scoping Process 15 1. Alternatives and Baseline Condition 16 2. Biological Resources 16 3. Cultural/Historical Resources 17 4. Surface Water Hydrology and Water Quality 17 5. Water Supply 17 6. Recreation 17 7. Geology 17 8. Land Use 18 9. Transportation and Circulation 18 10. Construction-Related Issues 18 11. Growth-Inducing Effects 18 12. Cumulative Effects 18 13. Other Issues 19
Appendices A. Notice of Intent A-1 B. CEQA Agency Consultation and Public Scoping B-1 B-1 Notice of Preparation B-1 B-2 NOP Mailing List B-2 B-3 Office of Planning and Research Filing Acknowledgement B-3
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Page
C. Public Notice and Meeting Advertisement C-1 C-1 Reclamation Press Release C-1 C-2 Reclamation/CCWD Notification Flyer C-2 C-3 CCWD Newspaper Advertisement C-3 C-4 CCWD Letter to Elected Officials C-4 D. Scoping Meeting Materials D-1 D-1 Open House Program/Agenda D-1 D-2 Open House Exhibit Boards D-2 D-3 Public Meeting Presentation D-3 D-4 Comment and Speaker Cards D-4 E. Scoping Meeting Sign-In Sheets E-1 F. Transcripts of Oral Comments F-1 G. Written Comments Received During Public Review Period G-1 H. CCWD Board of Directors Resolution No. 03-24, June 25, 2003 H-1
List of Figures 1 Project Study Area 3 2 Proposed Project Facility Alternatives 6
List of Tables 1 Alternatives Under Consideration 4 2 Parties Submitting Comments During the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR Scoping Process 9
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project ii ESA / 201110 Scoping Report April 2008 SCOPING REPORT Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project
1.0 Introduction
Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) proposes the expansion of its existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir to make additional storage available in a strategic location that could benefit local, state and federal interests for environmental protection and water supply reliability. The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) have joined with CCWD to evaluate various expansion alternatives. CCWD as the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Reclamation as the Lead Agency under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) are preparing a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR). DWR is a Responsible Agency under CEQA and will rely on the EIS/EIR for any decisions it makes related to the proposed project. As part of the public involvement process for the EIS/EIR, the lead agencies asked for input on the scope of the environmental review for the project through a series of workshops and hearings and a written comment period. This report presents a summary of the issues raised during scoping and provides a blueprint for how these issues will be addressed in the EIS/EIR.
2.0 Proposed Action
The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary is the largest estuary on the West Coast and provides essential habitat for a diverse array of fish and wildlife. It is also the critical hub in the conveyance of drinking water supplies to over two-thirds of the California population and irrigation supplies to 7 million acres of agricultural lands. The chairman of the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force summarized the state of the Delta as follows:
“The Delta is in crisis, and each day brings us closer to a major disaster, be it from flooding, from the decline of important fish species, or from court-ordered reductions in the amount of water that can be pumped for the state’s water supply.” (Resources Agency, 2007)
CCWD’s existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir is an off-stream storage reservoir that is strategically located adjacent to the Delta and in close proximity to the major state and federal water system facilities exporting water from the Delta. CCWD currently pumps water from the Delta into this 100 thousand acre-foot (TAF) capacity reservoir through state-of-the-art fish screens. Having this storage capacity allows CCWD to adjust the timing of its Delta water diversions throughout the year to both maximize water quality and minimize impacts to fish. Expanding the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in this strategic location presents an opportunity to expand its benefits and immediately
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begin addressing some of the central issues fueling the Delta crisis. Reservoir expansion could reduce impacts to Delta fisheries resulting from current state and federal water system export practices, provide water to improve environmental conditions in the Delta and its associated tributary rivers and wetlands, and improve water supply reliability for Bay Area water users.
The proposed action includes expanding the reservoir from its current 100 TAF to as large as 275 TAF1, expanding Delta diversion capacity, expanding conveyance to the Reservoir and adding, in some alternatives, conveyance to State Water Project facilities serving Bay Area communities.
Figure 1 presents the study area for the project. The primary study area includes the Los Vaqueros watershed and associated dam, reservoir, and support facilities, which are situated in eastern Contra Costa County, in the coastal foothills west of the Delta and east of San Francisco Bay; the central and south Delta; and the service areas of certain Bay Area water agencies that may be directly affected by the project. These agencies include CCWD as well as the three agencies that receive their State Water Project water via the South Bay Aqueduct (SBA): Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 (Zone 7 Water Agency); Alameda County Water District; and Santa Clara Valley Water District. Other agencies that may be affected include the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission or other Bay Area water agencies.
Project Objectives
The proposed project has two primary objectives and one secondary objective. The wording of the objectives has been refined since the scoping meetings in 2006, but the underlying objectives remain the same.
Primary Objectives:
1. Develop water supplies for environmental water management that supports fish protection, habitat management and other environmental water needs.
2. Increase water supply reliability for water providers within the San Francisco Bay Area, to help meet municipal and industrial water demands during drought periods and emergencies or to address shortages due to regulatory and environmental restrictions.
Secondary Objective:
1. Improve the quality of water deliveries to municipal and industrial customers in the San Francisco Bay Area, without impairing the project’s ability to meet the environmental and water supply reliability objectives state above.
1 At the time of scoping for the project, the maximum size reservoir under consideration was 500 TAF. Based on preliminary feasibility and environmental studies, the maximum size under consideration is now 275 TAF.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 2 ESA / 201110 Scoping Report April 2008 780 5
CContraontra CCostaosta WaterWater DistrictDistrict 4
80 LLOSOS VVAQUEROSAQUEROS RRESERVOIRESERVOIR
680 205
580 99
AlamedaAlameda CCountyounty FloodFlood CControlontrol aandnd WaterWater CConservationonservation DistrictDistrict 280 AAlamedalameda CCountyounty ZoneZone 7 WWaterater DistrictDistrict
SantaSanta ClaraClara VValleyalley WWaterater DistrictDistrict
101 Area of Detail
0 10
Miles
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Scoping Report . 201110 SOURCE: USGS, 1993 (base map); and ESA, 2008 Figure 1 Project Study Area Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project
In addition to these objectives, CCWD Board of Directors’ Resolution No. 03-24, June 25, 2003, provides important guidance for identifying and evaluating plans involving the expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The Resolution is included as Appendix H.
Reservoir Expansion Alternatives
Delivery Objectives and Operations A range of reservoir expansion alternatives has been developed for further detailed evaluation. The alternatives are summarized in Table 1. It should be noted that the maximum reservoir capacity being considered is 275 TAF. During scoping, a larger reservoir of 500 TAF was presented as a possible alternative. Based on preliminary feasibility and environmental analyses, this alternative has been eliminated from further study. Additionally, an alternative with a direct connection to the South Bay Aqueduct has also been eliminated based on preliminary feasibility and environmental analyses.
TABLE 1 ALTERNATIVES UNDER CONSIDERATION Alternative Primary Objective LV Storage Capacity Delivery Connection Maximum Delta (TAF) Diversion Capacity (CFS) No Action NA 100 NA 320
1 Environmental water 275 Pipeline to Bethany 1000 and Bay Area Reservoir reliability
2 (a) Environmental water 275 Pipeline to Bethany 1000 Reservoir
3 Environmental water 275 Existing interties 670 and Bay Area reliability
4 Bay Area reliability 160 Existing interties 320
(a) Alternative 2 has the same facilities as Alternative 1 but would be operated differently to achieve different objectives.
The expanded reservoir would be operated in a manner similar to the current operation of Los Vaqueros Reservoir: when surplus high-quality water is available in the Delta, it would be diverted from the Delta for storage in the expanded reservoir. CCWD now uses Los Vaqueros Reservoir to capture high-quality flows from the Delta, typically available each year during and following the wet season, to blend with more saline Delta supplies that typically occur during the dry season. An expanded reservoir would allow more high-quality water to be diverted into storage when surplus water (in excess of all other needs) is available in the Delta and when fish impacts are low.
Currently, the reservoir operation is controlled by CCWD’s water quality needs, and this would remain a key operational factor for the expanded reservoir. Like the current reservoir, an expanded reservoir would also be operated in accordance with other Delta operations, water- rights permits, the requirements of applicable biological opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for Endangered Species Act
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compliance, and memoranda of understanding issued by the California Department of Fish and Game for species protection.
Required Facilities The facilities required for reservoir expansion are listed below and shown on Figure 2. The size and/or location of some of the proposed facilities will vary, depending on the alternative. The range of alternative facility sizes and locations currently under consideration is described here.
• Delta Intakes. Additional screened intakes in the Delta at Old River are being considered. The total intake capacity proposed for the expanded reservoir ranges up to 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and would include CCWD’s current 250 cfs intake capacity at Old River plus its approved 250 cfs Alternative Intake Project, with an additional intake capacity up to 500 cfs to be constructed as part of the expansion project along Old River. • Delta Pump Station. A new or expanded Delta pump station and pipelines to connect the current and new Delta intakes to the new/expanded Delta pump station would be constructed. The total pumping capacity proposed for this pump station would match the total Delta intake capacity. • Delta - Los Vaqueros Pipeline. A Delta - Los Vaqueros pipeline would be constructed to deliver water from the Delta pump station to the expanded reservoir via an expanded Transfer Facility. Installation of either one or two parallel pipelines with diameters ranging up to approximately 12 feet is under consideration. • Dam Modification and Reservoir Expansion. Raising the dam and expanding the current 100,000-acre-foot capacity reservoir up to a maximum total capacity of 275,000 acre-feet is under evaluation. • Transfer - Bethany Reservoir Pipeline. A pipeline connecting the expanded Transfer Facility to Bethany Reservoir that would deliver water from either Los Vaqueros Reservoir or the Delta for environmental purposes or for SBA Water Agencies.
• Recreational facilities relocation and expansion: marina, fishing piers, trails, picnic areas, and the interpretive center.
Other Alternatives A No Action/No Project Alternative will be defined to characterize existing and probable future environmental conditions given the continued operation of existing water resource projects or facilities, such as the SWP and CVP, in combination with planned water resource projects or facilities that are approved or are authorized but not yet implemented.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 5 ESA / 201110 Scoping Report April 2008 4 DDiscoveryiscovery EExistingxisting OldOld RiverRiver BBayay IntakeIntake andand PumpPump StationStation MMarsh Creek Road a rs ExistingExisting TransferTransfer AAlternativelternative IntakeIntake h Cr FacilityFacility DDelta-Loselta-Los VaquerosVaqueros PipelinePipeline ProjectProject andand ee k PumpPump StationStation Ro ad EExpandedxpanded oror NewNew l EExpandedxpanded TransferTransfer DeltaDelta IntakeIntake andand na Ca FacilityFacility DeltaDelta PumpPump StationStation ria BByron Highway icto y (Siting(Siting Zone)Zone) VVictoria Canal DDamam MModificationodification ro n H ig h CCliftonlifton w a y CourtCourt ForebayForebay t c u NNewew TTransfer-Bethanyransfer-Bethany d EExpandedxpanded e u a CConveyanceonveyance q an l LLosos VaquerosVaqueros A C (Study(Study Corridor)Corridor) ia a RReservoireservoir n t r o o f d li a n C e
M BBanksanks a t RReplace/Expandeplace/Expand PPumpingumping l e RecreationRecreation FacilitiesFacilities PPlantlant D CC.W..W. JJonesones PumpingPumping PlantPlant ad o Canal BBethanyethany R r o e y Aquedduuct c y a RReservoireservoir s B a D VVasco Road h SSouthouth BayBay t
u o PPumpingumping S PPlantlant
Alternatives 1 and 2
4 DDiscoveryiscovery EExistingxisting OldOld RiverRiver BBayay IIntakentake andand PumpPump StationStation MMarsh Creek Road a rs ExistingExisting TransferTransfer AAlternativelternative IntakeIntake h Cr FacilityFacility elta-Los Vaqueros Pipeline PProjectroject andand ee DDelta-Los Vaqueros Pipeline k PPumpump StationStation Ro ad EExpandedxpanded oror NewNew l EExpandedxpanded TransferTransfer DDeltaelta IntakeIntake andand na Ca FacilityFacility DDeltaelta PumpPump StationStation ria BByron Highway icto y ((SitingSiting Zone)Zone) VVictoria Canal DDamam MModificationodification ro n H ig h CCliftonlifton w a y CourtCourt ForebayForebay t c u d EExpandedxpanded e u a q an l LLosos VaquerosVaqueros A C ia a n t RReservoireservoir r o o f d li a n C e
M BBanksanks a t RReplace/Expandeplace/Expand PPumpingumping l e RecreationRecreation FacilitiesFacilities PPlantlant D CC.W..W. JJonesones PPumpingumping PlantPlant ad o Canal BBethanyethany R r o e y Aquedduuct c y a RReservoireservoir s B a D VVasco Road h SSouthouth BayBay t
u o PPumpingumping S PPlantlant
Alternatives 3 and 4
Existing Facilities 160TAF Inundation Area New Facilities 275TAF Inundation Area 02 CCWD Watershed Administrative Boundary Miles
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Scoping Report . 201110 SOURCE: USGS, 1993 (base map); and ESA, March 2008 Figure 2 Proposed Project Facility Alternatives 3.0 Opportunities for Public Comment
3.0 Opportunities for Public Comment
Notification
Reclamation and CCWD prepared and distributed several notification packages to inform interested parties of the scoping period and upcoming public scoping meetings.
On Tuesday, December 20, 2005, Reclamation published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register to advise interested agencies and the public that an EIS would be prepared. On January 10, 2006, CCWD published and distributed a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to advise interested agencies and the public that an EIR would be prepared. CCWD distributed the NOP to approximately 80 agencies, elected officials, and interested parties.
Interested parties were also notified about the public scoping meetings through a press release, general notification flyer, newspaper display advertisement, legal advertisement, and the project websites. The NOI, NOP, press release, display advertisements, legal advertisement, general notification flyer, and the project website notifications are presented in Appendices A, B, and C. Notifications provided basic project information; date, time, and location of meetings; and a brief explanation of the public scoping process and encouraged recipients to attend the open house/public scoping meetings. Reclamation distributed a press release on January 5, 2006. Reclamation prepared and CCWD mailed a notification flyer to approximately 2,000 interested organizations, agencies, elected officials, and residents on January 12, 2006.
CCWD published a display advertisement in the Central Zone and East Zone editions of the Contra Costa Times, a newspaper with regional distribution, on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, and Sunday, January 22, 2006. In addition, a legal advertisement was published Thursday, January 19, 2006. An electronic copy of the meeting display advertisement was posted on the CCWD project website, www.lvstudies.com, and the Reclamation project website, www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros.
The comment period extended through February 28, 2006. The public could submit written comments on the scope, content, and format of the environmental document by mail, fax, or email to representatives at CCWD and Reclamation.
Information Open House and Public Scoping Meetings
Reclamation and CCWD conducted four formal scoping meetings to gather input and comments prior to the development of the EIS/EIR. The tabulation below shows the dates and locations of the four meetings. Approximately 55 people attended the four meetings.
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Sacramento, CA Antioch, CA Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Tuesday, January, 24, 2006 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Department of Water Resources Veteran’s Memorial Building, Legion Hall Bonderson Building 403 West 6th Street (Public Hearing Room – 1st Floor) Antioch, CA 94509 901 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Livermore, CA Concord, CA Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Martinelli Event Center Contra Costa Water District Agricultural Center 1331 Concord Avenue 3583 Greenville Road Concord, CA 94520 Livermore, CA 94550
The format of each public meeting program was identical and began with a 45-minute open house during which participants could view exhibit boards with project information including an overview of the regional context, project objectives and purposes, alternatives, environmental issues, the environmental review process, and the project schedule. Participants were also encouraged to ask informal questions of project team members to understand the project objectives and alternatives.
Participants were encouraged to sign in and were provided with materials including an agenda, open house program, presentation slides, comment card, and speaker card. Copies of the NOI and NOP were available upon request.
A formal 15-minute presentation focused on the process, schedule, and role of public comments. Following the presentation, 60 minutes were allotted for public comments on the scope, content, and format of the environmental document. Comments were accepted in writing; a court reporter recorded oral comments.
Appendix D presents the informational materials, presentation slides, and exhibit boards used during the scoping meetings. Written and oral scoping comments, attendance sheets and meeting summaries are presented in Appendices E and F.
4.0 Summary of Scoping Comments
During the public scoping meetings held January 24, 25, and 26, 2006, participants were able to comment on the scope of issues to be included in the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR. Written comments were also collected throughout the public comment period. Appendix E presents transcripts of the oral comments received and Appendix F contains copies of the written comments received.
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Commenting Parties
Comments were received from the following individuals and parties in response to the notices and opportunities provided.
TABLE 2 PARTIES SUBMITTING COMMENTS DURING THE LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR EXPANSION PROJECT EIS/EIR SCOPING PROCESS
Name Title Organization
Written Comments John Negrete Individual Robert Doran Board President Town of Discovery Bay CSD John Nejedly State Senator, Retired William Marshall Chief, Storm Water Section CA Regional Water Quality Control Board Michael R. Williams President Mt. Diablo Audubon Society Conservation Committee Brad Olson Environmental Programs Manager East Bay Regional Park District Paul Piraino General Manager Alameda County Water District Stanley Williams CEO Santa Clara Valley Water District Dale Myers General Manager Zone 7 Water Agency Seth Adams Director of Land Programs Save Mount Diablo Katherine Osborn Individual Lech Naumovich East Bay Conservation Analyst California Native Plant Society Lori Clamurro Environmental Scientist Delta Protection Commission Dennis O'Bryant Acting Assistant Director Department of Conservation Division of Land Resource Protection Waltraud Heinritz Individual The Wolf Company Oral Comments Bill Bennett Chief, Office of Water Use Efficiency CA Department of Water Resources and Transfers Vicki Fry Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Janess Hanson Sierra Club - Delta Group Karen Sweet Alameda County Resource Conservation District Gene Broadman Individual Manuel Perry Individual Pete Margiotta California Waterfowl Association and Safari Club International Lech Naumovich California Native Plant Society Tomi Van de Brooke California Alliance for Jobs
Comments Received During the Scoping Process (Written and Oral) Comments received during scoping are summarized in the list below. The comments are categorized by topic areas to enable easier review.
Project Description including Reservoir Operations • Clarify who will construct, operate, and control an expanded reservoir.
• Identify location of proposed Delta Pump Station.
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• Identify source of electrical power for pump stations and route of electrical lines.
• Coordinate facility siting with future city and county projects/expansions.
• Discuss the benefits and impacts of the current Los Vaqueros Reservoir as basis for evaluating the expanded reservoir project.
• Discuss the amount of material needed to construct a larger dam.
Alternatives • Compare the project to other potential water storage projects identified by CALFED as warranting further study.
• Discuss alternative of terminating certain agricultural water supply contracts in the Central Valley and redirecting supply to domestic use.
• Evaluate alternatives that focus upon Delta levee repairs and water conservation measures instead of a reservoir expansion.
• Consider alternative that maintains the current reservoir and relocates the Delta intake facilities to Middle River.
• Review alternative that connects the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir to the State Water Project at Bethany Reservoir instead of expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir.
• Consider alternative of 25 TAF additional capacity to the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir.
• Evaluate an alternative with a comprehensive conservation program.
• Assess alternatives that maintain consistency with assurances promulgated by the CCWD Board of Directors, including providing long-term environmental benefits to the Delta ecosystem and enhancing terrestrial habitat and recreational opportunities.
Biological Resources (including Fish Resources) • Address impact on Pacific waterfowl migration from any unnatural rafting in the reservoir.
• Provide detailed information on impacts to protected plants and wildlife (including habitat and dispersal corridors), including direct and indirect effects to individual species and vegetative communities. In particular, consider effects on Calochortus pulchellus and Thysanocarpos radians. Consider permanent effects from inundation and temporal effects from construction of pipelines and project facilities.
• Discuss effects of managing for fish health on all ecosystems.
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• Discuss impacts to endemic and migrating wildlife species from altering the landscape and attracting other wildlife species, including the introduction of invasive species (plants and avian species) and expansion of ranges of predatory species such as bullfrogs and predatory fish.
• Explain the impacts to areas with existing conservation easements and how those easements are addressed.
• Identify pipeline routing in Vasco Caves and Brushy Peak preserves, and discuss effects on conservation easements if applicable.
• Address mitigation needs including measures addressing compensation for previous mitigation implemented for the original Los Vaqueros Project.
• Evaluate effects of the project on habitat and aquatic species in local watersheds of the SBA where supplies are currently released.
• Address impacts on mitigation lands and feasibility of in-kind and in-watershed mitigation for sensitive species and habitat.
• Discuss impacts of additional pumping on fish resources, and Bay and Delta ecosystems.
• Expand Delta benefit beyond protection of Delta fish species.
• Assess effects on Delta species from operations of Reclamation/CCWD facilities at Old River, Mallard Slough, and Rock Slough.
Cultural/Historical Resources • Include an evaluation of the potential impacts to cultural and historical resources in the watershed (including Vasco Caves and Brushy Peak) and conveyance corridors.
Surface Water Hydrology and Water Quality • Discuss effects of levee failure on water quality in project area.
• Include impacts to the Delta and other Delta water users resulting from increased diversions at intake.
• Evaluate effect on flow from Discovery Bay wastewater discharge pipeline.
• Discuss impacts to water quality, including dissolved oxygen levels in the Delta.
• Discuss increased salinity intrusion due to global warming.
• Identify potential changes to water quality in the SBA including bromide, TOC, TDS, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, taste and odor, algae, alkalinity and temperature.
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• Evaluate effects of water quality changes on ability of SBA water users to treat water at their respective water treatment plants.
• Discuss potential effects of project on current and planned operations of the Del Valle Reservoir including effects on water quality in the Reservoir.
Water Supply • Address potential construction and operational effects of the project on the SBA and water supplies.
• Discuss potential changes to daily, monthly and average SBA conveyance delivery capacity and SBA water supply reliability.
• Discuss potential effects of project on current and planned operations of the Del Valle Reservoir, including effects use of the reservoir for storage of local water supplies.
• Assess effects of project on potential SBA water supply outages resulting from major earthquakes or other reasons.
• The potential for Delta levee failure should be addressed in regard to project operations and reliable water supply.
Recreation • Discuss impacts to current and proposed recreational facilities adjacent to the Los Vaqueros watershed, including regional trail systems and use.
• Evaluate opportunities to connect to surrounding recreational facilities.
• Include impacts to recreational activities dependent on the SBA.
• Consider relocation of recreational facilities in vicinity of habitat for special-status species.
• Discuss any potential policy changes to water quality standards at neighboring reservoirs that allow body contact.
Geology • Investigate potential movements in the fault planes of the Delta and how they relate to project structures, as well as their effect on water quality.
• Evaluate potential effects of new facilities on seismic reliability and the potential for outages.
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Land Use • Discuss any potential impacts to agricultural lands (including range lands) or necessary acquisitions.
• Include a discussion of coordination and potential conflicts with the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan, including in particular the potential for mitigation land purchases for the expansion project to affect the cost of land acquisition for the HCP.
• Discuss whether Williamson Act contract termination would result from the project and whether such termination would affect nearby agricultural lands.
• Include potential benefits for agricultural operations.
• Use LESA model to determine significance.
• Identify potential impact that may occur in the Primary Zone of the Legal Delta resulting from activities occurring in the Secondary Zone and outside the Delta.
Transportation and Circulation • Discuss impacts to local roadways, including Vasco Road, and necessary mitigation.
• Discuss mitigation for impacts to surrounding residents.
Construction-Related Issues • Discuss construction-related effects to water quality.
• Include impacts during construction on surrounding residents.
• Discuss impact to recreational resources from closure of reservoir during construction.
• Discuss impacts of noise, dust, and glare on open space/rural environment.
• Evaluate traffic (including Highway 4 and local roadways), air quality and visual impacts during construction.
• Discuss access to Discovery Bay wastewater treatment facility during pipeline construction.
• Discuss construction disturbance to native plant populations.
• Discuss impact to water quality (salinity) when the existing reservoir is taken out of operation and CCWD diverts water out of Middle River (to the extent this might occur).
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Growth-Inducing Effects • Evaluate potential growth-inducing impacts.
Cumulative Effects • The EIS/EIR should address the cumulative impacts from all freshwater diversion projects and pumping (from the Delta).
• Evaluate cumulative impacts to the Bay-Delta system considering other water users’ activities.
Institutional Issues • Discuss precedential effect of eliminating or changing conservation easement areas.
• Explain who will construct and operate the project and be responsible in the event of future dam failure.
Cost • Provide detailed economic feasibility analysis.
• Discuss how funding will be secured even with a change in government administration.
• Analyze change in water treatment costs for SBA contractors.
General Comments • Explain how the dam could be enlarged when previous studies indicated that was not possible.
• Include recreational hunting in the reservoir watershed.
• Include bike and horse access to trails.
• Coordinate with Contra Costa County to provide an emergency flood plan for incorporation into the County Emergency Plan.
• Evaluate funding needed to protect Delta levee system.
• Show that CCWD’s commitments from the original Los Vaqueros Project will be followed.
• Include a discussion of planned coordination with agencies/organizations regarding permitting and mitigation plans.
• Consider potential to deliver agricultural water to the Livermore Valley.
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• Discuss whether the project will facilitate the building of a peripheral canal.
• Consider formation of a long-term public agency to respond to levee failures and associated program for levee management and funding.
• Consider provision of multi-use regional trail within proposed rights of way of pipelines from Los Vaqueros to the SBA.
• Allow Byron and Discovery Bay residents access to reservoir recreational facilities to offset impacts from noise, dust and traffic delays.
• Discovery Bay prefers no pipeline or above ground structures at intersection of Discovery Bay Boulevard and Highway 4.
5.0 Consideration of Issues Raised in Scoping Process
A primary purpose of this Scoping Report is to document the process of soliciting and identifying comments from interested agencies and the public. The Scoping Process provides the means by which Reclamation and CCWD can determine those issues that interested participants consider to be the principal areas for study and analysis. Significant environmental issues that have been raised during scoping will be addressed in the EIS/EIR.
The following discussion identifies the issues raised in scoping that will be addressed in the EIS/EIR and provides a brief explanation for those issues that will not be considered in the document.
Project Description including Reservoir Operations Issues pertaining to the ownership, operations, and control of the expanded reservoir will be summarized in the EIS/EIR.
The EIS/EIR will identify the location of facilities to the extent they are known. In the case of linear features like pipelines and power lines, a corridor is usually identified for purposes of the environmental analysis. The pipeline or power line would be specifically sited within this corridor during project design. Similarly, the Delta pump station location will be generally identified for purposes of the environmental analysis, and then specifically located within the area evaluated during project design.
The project will be described at a level of detail appropriate to the environmental analysis and will include an estimate of the quantity of material needed for the dam as well as sizes of facilities and equipment. Sources of power will also be identified.
The current Los Vaqueros Reservoir and related facilities will be described as background and as required to explain changes as a result of the expansion project.
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Alternatives The EIS/EIR will describe and discuss the direct and indirect environmental effects of implementing the proposed project and alternatives. The alternatives consist of a combination of optional physical features and operational scenarios, including facility sizes, locations, water supply purposes, and beneficiaries. A rigorous alternatives screening process has been undertaken to identify the alternatives to be included in the EIS/EIR. This process, including the full range of alternatives evaluated, screening criteria and outcomes will be summarized in the EIS/EIR and fully documented in an Appendix. Alternatives raised during scoping have been included in this screening process.
As part of the evaluation of alternatives, the EIS/EIR will address a No-Action Alternative. The existing environmental conditions will be described as a baseline condition. This description will include describing the current Los Vaqueros Reservoir and its associated benefits and impacts. The existing conditions will be the basis for evaluating future potential impacts of the expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir.
Note: for each resource category listed below, the EIS/EIR will address the potential direct and indirect effects, as well as cumulative effects, associated with both construction and operation of the proposed project and alternatives. Mitigation measures will be recommended where appropriate to avoid, minimize, or offset significant environmental impacts.
Biological Resources (including Fish Resources) The EIS/EIR will address the potential impacts on plants and wildlife that may occur as result of implementing the project alternatives. Specific attention will be placed on species protected by federal or state law or regulations.
The potential for induced invasive species and the potential for expansion of predatory species will be addressed, including introduced plants and avian species that may occupy the project area.
Mitigation will be identified and discussed, as appropriate. These measures will be developed in consultation with federal and state resource management agencies with regulatory authority over project implementation. Mitigation to compensate for impacts to previous mitigation efforts implemented to address the effects of the original Los Vaqueros Project facilities will be addressed, including discussion of the conservation easements that may be affected by the reservoir expansion.
Potential impacts on aquatic species and habitats, including the effects of changes in the timing and amounts of water diversions and pumping of Delta water supplies, will be addressed. The combined effect of operating the Old River, Mallard Slough, and Rock Slough diversions as well as the Alternative Intake Project, currently under construction, will be addressed to the extent that they will be altered with implementation of project alternatives or contribute to cumulative effects. Benefits of the project to aquatic species and habitats will also be described.
To the extent feasible, the EIS/EIR will consider whether the project will affect habitat and aquatic species or local watersheds where supplies are currently released.
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Cultural/Historical Resources The cultural and historical resources that may be affected by reservoir expansion facilities, including conveyance pipelines and inundation areas, will be assessed in accordance with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA and CEQA.
Surface Water Hydrology and Water Quality The EIS/EIR will assess potential changes in Delta hydrology and water quality using numerical models developed for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River/Delta system and commonly accepted for purposes of water resource planning and evaluation. The DSM2 model will be used to estimate changes in Delta water quality. This model uses electrical conductivity as an indicator of Delta water quality. The analysis will include water quality changes in the Delta as well as those affecting SBA users and reservoirs. The EIS/EIR will include a discussion of the effects of climate change on water quality and the potential for levee failure in the Delta to degrade water quality in the project area. The potential of the proposed project to affect flow from the Discovery Bay waste discharge diffuser will also be assessed.
Water Supply The EIS/EIR will address potential changes to water volume to SBA users that may occur during short-term facility construction and long-term operations. The analysis will address changes to water supply reliability of SBA users. The CALSIM II model will be used to estimate changes to water supply and Delta flow conditions.
The SBA water users’ water conveyance and storage systems will be assessed to determine changes in operations and effects on local supplies. Potential risk of facility outages due to earthquakes or other reasons will be assessed in comparison to existing facilities. The potential for levee failure to affect project operations and supply reliability will also be discussed.
Recreation The EIS/EIR will discuss adverse effects on recreational facilities in the project area and potential adverse effects on nearby facilities and regional recreational trail systems. The environmental effects of re-locating existing facilities within the Los Vaqueros Watershed as a result of the expansion project will be evaluated.
The document will also address adverse effects on recreation facilities in other water storage reservoirs that could be affected by the expansion project alternatives.
Geology The EIS/EIR will discuss potential impacts related to seismic ground shaking and seismic-related ground failure including liquefaction and landslides as well as issues related to seismic reliability.
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Land Use The potential effect of converting agricultural land to non-agricultural uses because of the expansion project will be assessed using U.S. Department of Agriculture Form AD-1006. Federal Site Assessment Scoring Criteria will be used to fill out the Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form (AD-1006) and meet Farmland Protection Act (FPPA) requirements. Thorough consideration was given to using the California Department of Conservation Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) model in lieu of the federal model. Like the FPPA system, LESA is a point-based approach for rating the relative importance of agricultural land resources based upon specific measurable features. According to the Department website, the California LESA Model was developed to provide lead agencies with an optional methodology to ensure that potentially significant effects on the environment of agricultural land conversions are quantitatively and consistently considered in the environmental review process. However, because the EIS/EIR is a federal document, and because LESA model was designed primarily to evaluate single sites proposed for urban development rather than multiple sites and pipeline corridors, the federal system was selected for the agricultural impact evaluation.
Other agricultural issues such as potential effects on Williamson Act contracts will also be evaluated. The expansion project will be assessed for its effects on or consistency with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan. Additionally, consistency of the project with the Delta Protection Act and Delta Protection Commission guidelines will be evaluated.
Transportation and Circulation Potential impacts to local roadways, including Vasco Road, which may occur during project construction, will be evaluated. As appropriate, mitigation will be identified to minimize project- related impacts.
Construction-Related Issues The EIS/EIR will address construction-related issues in each resource category, and will include evaluation of the impact of construction on surrounding residents and land uses as well as mitigation to minimize these impacts.
The EIS/EIR will also address the potential impact of construction on terrestrial and aquatic biological resources including special-status plant populations and water fowl in the area.
Growth-Inducing Effects Potential growth-inducing effects of constructing and operating an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir will be addressed in the EIS/EIR. This discussion will include potential growth- inducing effects in the SBA water users’ service areas and areas near the reservoir.
Cumulative Effects For each resource category, the EIS/EIR will include analysis of cumulative effects of the expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir in combination with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects affecting the same resources. Where applicable, this analysis will
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address other diversion, pumping, utility and development projects in the geographic areas relevant to each resource.
Other Issues Other issues to be addressed include the need to coordinate and plan for emergency conditions such as flooding. The document will include a summary of permitting requirements; a separate Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan will also be prepared. The relationship of the proposed expansion project to other programs to improve the Delta habitat and fisheries, increase water supply reliability or improve water quality will be described in the EIS/EIR.
Other issues to be addressed, to the degree feasible, include the interaction and relationship of global warming on project operations and Delta resources.
Comments beyond the scope of the EIS/EIR Comments related to feasibility and funding of the project that are not directly related to physical impact discussions within the environmental impact analysis will be addressed in the EIS/EIR to the extent required under NEPA and CEQA, and as relevant for each specific issue. Project benefits will be described qualitatively in the EIS/EIR.
Comments regarding changing future recreational uses in the watershed (e.g. allowing hunting) and access (e.g., extending customer benefits to non-customers) are policy issues for the CCWD Board of Directors and are not included in the environmental impact analysis.
Comments related to managing and funding Delta levees are not related to the environmental impact analysis and will not be addressed in the EIS/EIR. If appropriate, impacts related to levee improvement programs will be considered under cumulative impacts.
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management, invasive species addressed in the EIS. The scoping foothills west of the Delta and east of management, energy and minerals meeting dates are: the Bay Area, the central and south management, travel management, • Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 1:30 to Delta, and service areas of Bay Area wilderness, wild horse herd 3:30 p.m., Sacramento, CA. water agencies that may be directly management, cultural resource • Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 6 to 8 affected by the project. The Bay Area management, and other issues as p.m. Antioch, CA. water agencies that may be directly appropriate. • Wednesday January 25, 2006, 6 to 8 affected include Contra Costa Water These meetings are open to the p.m., Livermore, CA. District, Alameda County Water District, public. The public may present written • Thursday, January 26, 2006, 6 to 8 Santa Clara Valley Water district, and comments to the RACs. Each formal p.m., Concord, CA. Alameda County Flood Control and RAC meeting will also have time, as Submit written comments on the Water Conservation District—Zone 7. identified above, allocated for hearing scope of the environmental document to Due to the potential influence on other public comments. Depending on the Reclamation at the address below by programs and projects, an extended number of persons wishing to comment February 28, 2006. study area is defined to include the and time available, the time for ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting service area of the San Francisco Public individual oral comments may be locations are: Utilities Commission and the Central limited. • Sacramento—Department of Water Valley of California. Planning studies to date have focused Dated: December 14, 2005. Resources, the Bonderson Building, 901 P Street, Public Hearing Room first on identifying water resources Juan Palma, floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. problems, needs, and opportunities in Las Vegas Field Manager, Designated Federal • Antioch—Legion Hall, Veteran’s the primary study area, developing a set Officer for the Mojave Southern Great Basin of planning objectives to help guide the RAC. Memorial Building 403 West 6th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. remainder of the feasibility study, and [FR Doc. 05–24241 Filed 12–19–05; 8:45 am] • Livermore—Martinelli Event formulating a set of initial alternatives. BILLING CODE 4310–HC–M Center, Agricultural Center, 3585 These elements of the study are Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94550. summarized below. • DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Concord—Contra Costa Water Problems, Needs, and Opportunities District, 1331 Concord Ave., Concord, Water Supply Reliability. Deliveries of CA 94520. Bureau of Reclamation imported water to the Bay Area for Written comments on the scope of the drinking water supply are significantly Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion environmental document should be sent reduced during dry years and critically Investigation, Contra Costa County, to Ms. Patricia Roberson, Bureau of dry years. Periods of multiple dry years CA Reclamation, Mid Pacific Regional can also occur, such as the droughts of Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento 1928–1935 and 1976–1977, and most AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, CA 95825–1898; by e-mail at Interior. recently 1987–1992. These dry periods [email protected]; or faxed to cause most local supplies, such as ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an (916) 978–5094. Further information on groundwater and locally stored runoff, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). the investigation, including the interim to be depleted. At the same time, results, can be found at http:// deliveries of imported water from the SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros/. SWP and CVP are curtailed. Bay Area of the National Environmental Policy FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: water agencies need to improve water Act (NEPA), the Department of the Patricia Roberson, Reclamation Project supply reliability not only to reduce Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Manager at the above address, (916) deficiencies during a drought, but also (Reclamation) will prepare an EIS to 978–5074; or Ms. Marguerite Naillon, as an alternative supply in case of a evaluate expanding the existing Los Project Manager, Contra Costa Water catastrophic event or emergency in the Vaqueros Reservoir and alternatives to District, P.O. Box H2O, Concord, CA Delta, such as a chemical spill or levee improve water supply reliability and 94524, (925) 688–8018. If you would failure. water quality for Bay Area water users, like to be included on the EIS/EIR Environmental Opportunities. The particularly those receiving water from mailing list, please contact Jennifer Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta is the the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and Allen, CirclePoint, at (415) 227–1100 largest estuary on the West Coast and contribute to lower cost implementation ext. 33 or [email protected]. provides essential habitat for a diverse of the CALFED Environmental Water SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: array of fish and wildlife. A variety of Account (EWA). Pursuant to the factors have contributed to the decline California Environmental Quality Act, Background of fish species in the Delta, including Contra Costa Water District will prepare One of the five potential surface the loss of habitat and water resources an EIR on the proposed project storage projects described in the development. Water deliveries from the concurrent with the EIS preparation. A CALFED Bay-Delta Program’s long-term Delta have been curtailed in recent years joint EIS/EIR document will be plan is the expansion of the existing Los to help protect threatened and prepared. Vaqueros Reservoir, an existing 100,000- endangered fish populations and their Reclamation was directed in Public acre-foot off-stream surface storage habitats. However, while pumping Law 108–7, (Omnibus Appropriations facility, located in Contra Costa County, curtailments and other actions in the Act of 2003) to conduct a feasibility- California. The existing facility is Delta have been beneficial to fish, they level investigation of the potential owned and operated by the Contra Costa often have had adverse impacts on expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Water District (CCWD). cities, farms, and businesses that DATES: Four scoping meetings will be The primary study area includes the depend on water supplies pumped from held to solicit public input on the scope Los Vaqueros Reservoir watershed and or through the Delta. Consequently, the of the environmental document, associated dam and reservoir facilities, Environmental Water Account (EWA) alternatives, concerns and issues to be which are situated in the coastal was developed to provide water project
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operators with additional flexibility in • Different reservoir expansion sizing INTERNATIONAL TRADE meeting or exceeding fishery and operations geared to meet the COMMISSION requirements in the Delta. project objectives: Water supply Water Quality. Although State water [Investigation Nos. 731–TA–344, 391–A, reliability, EWA needs, and/or water 392–A and C, 393–A, 394–A, 396, and 399– quality standards have been maintained, quality. A (Second Review)] the quality of water supplies from the Specific measures and combinations Delta has generally declined because of of measures in these initial alternatives Certain Bearings From China, France, salinity intrusion resulting from water Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and will likely change in future studies and resources development; polluted runoff the United Kingdom from urban, agricultural, and other some may be combined with others or development; and changes to the dropped from further consideration. AGENCY: United States International physical environment. Because Bay Other measures and combinations of Trade Commission. Area water agencies typically blend measures may emerge during the ACTION: Revised schedule for the subject water from various sources to attain a scoping process and warrant investigations. desired quality, water quality in the development into alternatives. In study area is a function of both water addition to the action alternatives, the EFFECTIVE DATE: December 9, 2005. source and volume. Water providers in No Action alternative will also be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the study area use imported supplies evaluated. Additional information on Debra Baker (202–205–3180), Office of from the Delta and local groundwater these initial alternatives is contained in Investigations, U.S. International Trade and surface water supplies. the Los Vaqueros Expansion Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Planning Objectives Investigation, California, Initial Washington, DC 20436. Hearing- Alternatives Information Report at impaired persons can obtain The planning objectives identified http://www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros/. information on this matter by contacting below were developed based on the the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– problems, needs, and opportunities in Additional Information 205–1810. Persons with mobility the study area. impairments who will need special • Increase water supply reliability for The environmental review will be conducted pursuant to NEPA, the assistance in gaining access to the water providers within the study area, Commission should contact the Office Endangered Species Act, and other principally to help meet municipal and of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. applicable Federal law, to analyze the industrial water demands during General information concerning the drought periods, with a focus on potential environmental impacts of Commission may also be obtained by enlarging Los Vaqueros Reservoir. implementing a range of feasible • accessing its Internet server (http:// Use an expanded Los Vaqueros alternatives, including Los Vaqueros www.usitc.gov). The public record for Reservoir to develop replacement water Reservoir expansion. Public input on these investigations may be viewed on supplies for the long-term EWA, if the the range of alternatives to be the Commission’s electronic docket cost of water provided from an considered will be sought through the (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov. expanded reservoir is found to be less initial public scoping meetings. than the cost of water for continued SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Our practice is to make comments, implementation of that program. October 12, 2005, the Commission • To the extent possible through including names and home addresses of established a schedule for the conduct pursuit of the water supply reliability respondents, available for public of the final phase of the subject and environmental water objectives, review. Individual respondents may investigations (70 FR 60556, October 18, improve the quality of water deliveries request that we withhold their home 2005). Subsequently, the Commission to municipal and industrial customers addresses from public disclosure, which received a request from an interested in the study area. we will honor to the extent allowable by party to change the scheduled date for In addition to the study objectives, law. There also may be circumstances in the public hearing. The Commission, various planning constraints, principles, which we would withhold a therefore, is revising its schedule. and criteria were identified and are respondent’s identity from public The Commission’s new schedule for being used to help guide the disclosure, as allowable by law. If you the investigations is as follows: requests investigation. These criteria include the wish us to withhold your name and/or to appear at the hearing must be filed Contra Costa Water District’s principles address, you must state this with the Secretary to the Commission not later than April 20, 2006; the of participation. prominently at the beginning of your prehearing conference will be held at comment. We will make all submissions Initial Alternatives the U.S. International Trade from organizations or businesses, and From the Planning Objectives, a Commission Building at 9:30 a.m. on from individuals identifying themselves number of water resources management April 25, 2006; the prehearing staff as representatives or officials of measures were identified. The most report will be placed in the nonpublic organizations or businesses, available effective of these measures were used to record on April 7, 2006; the deadline for formulate a set of initial alternatives. for public disclosure in their entirety. filing prehearing briefs is April 21, The initial action alternatives, still Frank Michny, 2006; the hearing will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission under refinement, include the following Regional Environmental Officer, Mid-Pacific elements: Region. Building at 9:30 a.m. on May 2, 2006; • Different ways to increase reservoir the deadline for filing posthearing briefs [FR Doc. E5–7541 Filed 12–19–05; 8:45 am] capacity: Raise the existing dam in- is May 11, 2006; the Commission will place or replace it completely with a BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P make its final release of information on new dam; June 6, 2006; and final party comments • Different ways/points of connection are due on June 8, 2006. to deliver water to Bay Area users via For further information concerning facilities of the State Water Project; these investigations see the
VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:23 Dec 19, 2005 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 Appendix B CEQA Agency Consultation and Public Scoping Appendix B-1 Notice of Preparation NOTICE OF PREPARATION (QYLURQPHQWDO,PSDFW5HSRUWIRUWKH /RV9DTXHURV5HVHUYRLU([SDQVLRQ3URMHFW
1.0 Introduction
The Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act1 (CEQA) for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the proposal to expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The reservoir, owned and operated by CCWD, is a 100,000- acre-foot off stream surface storage facility, located in Contra Costa County, California.
Expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir (project) is one of the potential surface storage projects described in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program’s long-term plan that was recommended for additional study. The CALFED long-term plan recognized that additional storage at Los Vaqueros Reservoir could contribute to improving the quality of Bay Area drinking water supplies delivered from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), the reliability of Bay Area water supplies, and Delta fisheries resources adversely affected by actions taken to manage the Delta’s water resources. While the CALFED long-term plan provides some planning background, this project analysis does not tier from the CALFED Plan Programmatic EIS/EIR and the project is proposed independent of any decision to proceed with any other project within the CALFED plan.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act2 (NEPA) for preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and, in conjunction with CCWD, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR document for the project.
This Notice of Preparation (NOP) describes the currently proposed project alternatives under consideration for review in the EIS/EIR and identifies the main environmental issue areas to be addressed during the environmental review. However, project alternatives are still under development and will be refined further during the EIS/EIR preparation process. Agencies and interested members of the public are invited to provide input on the scope of the environmental analysis and the range of alternatives to be evaluated.
1 California Public Resources Code §§21000–21178 2 Pub. L. 91-190, 42 USC 4321-4347, January 1, 1970, as amended by Pub. L. 94-52, July 3, 1975, Pub. L. 94-83, August 9, 1975, and Pub. L. 97-258, § 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982)
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 1 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
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The public is invited to submit oral and/or written comments on the scope of issues to be included in the EIS/EIR. The comment period extends through February 28, 2006. Interested persons and organizations are invited to call Jennifer Allen at CirclePoint, 415-227-1100, ext. 33, or to email her at [email protected] to be included on the mailing list for public meetings or to receive other correspondence concerning the project.
Scoping Meetings Scoping meetings have been scheduled between January 24 and January 26, 2006, at the four locations shown below:
x Sacramento, CA x Antioch, CA Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Tuesday, January 24, 2006 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Public Hearing Room, first floor Legion Hall Bonderson Building Veteran’s Memorial Building 901 P Street 403 West 6th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Antioch, CA 94509
x Livermore, CA x Concord, CA Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Martinelli Event Center CCWD Board Room Agricultural Center 1331 Concord Avenue 3585 Greenville Road Concord, CA 94520 Livermore, CA 94550
Written Comments Please submit any comments by the end of the public comment period on February 28, 2006 by 5 p.m. Written comments on the scope, content, and format of the environmental document can be emailed, using the link from the website, www.lvstudies.com, and clicking on “Contact and Comment.” Written comments may be also mailed or faxed to representatives at the following addresses:
Ms. Marguerite Naillon, Project Manager Ms. Patricia Roberson, Project Manager Contra Costa Water District Bureau of Reclamation P.O. Box H20 2800 Cottage Way Concord, CA 94524-2099 Sacramento, CA 95825-1898 Phone: 925 688-8018 Phone: 916 978-5074 TDD 916 978-5608 Fax: 925 686-2187 Fax: 916 978-5094 Website: www.lvstudies.com Website: www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 2 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
2.0 Proposed Project
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During 2002 and 2003, preliminary engineering, environmental, and cost assessment studies were conducted that culminated with the preparation and distribution of the draft Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Studies Planning Report (Planning Report) in April 2003. The Planning Report describes the reservoir expansion concept including the facilities required, sizing options, operations, and the potential benefits and objectives such a project could achieve, as well as an initial evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of expansion. An extensive series of public workshops was held during the development of the report. Comments received as a result of the public workshop and responses were incorporated into the final Planning Report in April 2004. The Planning Report and other studies completed to date are available for review at CCWD’s office and can be downloaded from the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project website at www.lvstudies.com.
Reclamation was directed by federal law (PL 108-7) to conduct a feasibility-level evaluation of the potential expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Reclamation is proceeding with preparation of a federal Feasibility Study for the project. The first step in the development of the Feasibility Study was the preparation of an Initial Alternatives Information Report, published in November 2005 (available for review at CCWD’s office and online at www.lvstudies.com and www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros). As part of that study effort, the project objectives were refined and potential project alternatives recommended for further evaluation were identified.
Figure 1 presents the study area for the project. The primary study area includes the Los Vaqueros watershed and associated dam, reservoir, and support facilities, which are situated in eastern Contra Costa County, in the coastal foothills west of the Delta and east of San Francisco Bay; the central and south Delta; and the service areas of Bay Area water agencies that may be directly affected by the project. These agencies include CCWD as well as the three agencies that receive their State Water Project (SWP) water via the South Bay Aqueduct (SBA): Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7; Alameda County Water District; and Santa Clara Valley Water District. Other agencies that may be affected include the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission or other Bay Area water agencies. Due to the potential influence on other programs and projects, an extended study area for this project encompasses the Central Valley region.
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This project has two primary objectives and one secondary objective:
Primary Objectives:
1. Use an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir to develop replacement water supplies for a fisheries protection program such as the long-term Environmental Water Account (EWA) program or an equivalent program, if the cost of water provided from an
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 3 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 780 5
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Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR . 201110 SOURCE: USGS, 1993 (base map); and ESA, 2005 Figure 1 Regional Study Area Notice of Preparation
expanded reservoir is found to be less than the cost of water from other sources for continued implementation of that program.
2. Increase water supply reliability for water providers within portions of the San Francisco Bay Area including those served by the South Bay Aqueduct (SBA), principally to help meet municipal and industrial water demands during drought periods, with a focus on enlarging Los Vaqueros Reservoir.
Secondary Objective:
3. To the extent possible through the pursuit of the water supply reliability and environmental water objectives, improve the quality of water deliveries to municipal and industrial customers in the San Francisco Bay Area study area.
In addition to these objectives, various planning constraints, principles, and criteria were identified to help guide the investigation. CCWD Board of Directors’ Resolution No. 03-24, June 25, 2003, provides important guidance for identifying and evaluating plans involving the expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.
Environmental Opportunities—Reduce Cost of Water Supplies Available for Fisheries Protection
Introduction The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the largest estuary on the West Coast, provides essential habitat for a diverse array of fish and wildlife. A variety of factors have been identified as potential contributors to the decline of fish species in the Delta, including the loss of habitat, introduced species, pollutants entering the Delta, and water resources development. Prior to 2001, water deliveries from the Delta were curtailed at times to help protect threatened and endangered fish populations and their habitats. However, while such pumping curtailments and other actions in the Delta were beneficial to fish (by reducing entrainment and injury at the pumps), they occasionally had adverse impacts on cities, farms, and businesses that depend on water supplies pumped from or through the Delta. Consequently, a program called the Environmental Water Account (EWA) was developed in August of 2000 as part of the CALFED Program to provide additional flexibility in the protection and recovery of certain fish species in the Delta.
Improving Delta fisheries by supporting a fisheries protection program such as the EWA is a chief objective of the proposed project. The EWA program has currently been authorized to operate through 2007 and a proposal for long-term extension of the EWA program through the year 2030 is now under state and federal environmental review. The current EWA program is described here to explain how such a fisheries protection program works and how an expanded reservoir project could meet the needs of and improve such a program. If, for any reason, the current EWA program is not extended for long-term implementation, the reservoir expansion project would remain committed to supporting an equivalent type of fisheries protection program.
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Existing Environmental Water Account (EWA) Program The purpose of the EWA is to provide water for the protection and recovery of at-risk native fish species of the Bay-Delta estuary beyond water available through existing regulations and fishery restoration programs. Initially a four-year program that began operating in 2001, the EWA was recently extended for three additional years to December 31, 2007. A long-term EWA program proposal to extend this program through the year 2030 is now under environmental review.
The EWA is a cooperative management program that authorizes curtailment of State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) exports to benefit fisheries by acquiring water supplies, called EWA assets, from willing sellers throughout California and by using operational flexibility of the CVP and SWP facilities to pump and store EWA water. EWA water is then used to augment stream flows, augment Delta outflows, and replace project water supplies reduced during export pumping curtailments.
To date, the EWA has obtained the great majority of its water through annual transfer agreements with willing sellers, and is developing longer-term agreements with some of its transfer partners. The EWA can also use excess capacity at the SWP Banks Pumping Plant to obtain water from the Delta in excess of the flows required to maintain current water quality standards and water rights demands, can capture certain releases of environmental flows that reach the Delta, and can also use dedicated capacity of 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the SWP Banks Pumping Plant to move transfer supplies though the Delta in July through September.
The state and federal EWA Agencies have a goal of developing additional longer-term water transfer/supply agreements and obtaining dedicated facility and water right assets to increase water supply reliability and reduce market-dependent annual cost fluctuations. South-of-Delta storage capability, along with the ability to fill that storage without reliance on the SWP and CVP Delta pumps and a means of returning the stored water to the projects to offset pumping curtailments, would substantially benefit the EWA. An expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir could provide additional south-of-Delta storage capacity for the EWA or equivalent type of program. Such an arrangement would allow more reliable supply acquisition, would increase flexibility in returning water to the projects, and would help prevent stored assets from being spilled (displaced) from SWP or CVP reservoirs.
Need to Increase Water Supply Reliability Diversion of Delta water supplies is significantly reduced during dry years and critically dry years. Periods of multiple dry years can also occur, such as the droughts of 1928–1935, 1976– 1977, and 1987–1992. These dry periods cause most local supplies, such as groundwater and locally stored runoff, to be depleted. At the same time, deliveries of Delta water via the SWP (operated by the California Department of Water Resources) and federal CVP (operated by Reclamation) are curtailed. Bay Area water agencies need to improve water supply reliability not only to reduce deficiencies during drought, but also as an alternative supply in case of a catastrophic event or emergency in the Delta, such as a chemical spill or levee failure.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 6 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
As an example of drought period reductions in Delta water supply, SWP deliveries can be reduced from an average of 68 percent of the contracted water supply (Table A) to about 4 percent of the contracted water supply during a single dry year with conditions similar to those in 1977.3 A four-year drought, similar to the period of 1931 to 1934, would result in reducing SWP deliveries to about 32 percent of full Table A deliveries. Extended droughts may result in some Bay Area water agencies being unable to meet fully current or future water demands, even with the use of aggressive demand management techniques.
Need to Improve Drinking Water Quality Although state water quality standards have been met under most conditions, the quality of water supplies from the Delta has generally declined because of salinity intrusion resulting from water resources development; polluted runoff from urban, agricultural, and other development; and changes to the physical environment. Because Bay Area water agencies typically blend water from various sources to attain a desired quality, water quality in the study area is a function of both water source and volume. Water providers in the study area use imported water supplies from the Delta along with local groundwater and surface water. Seasonal variations as well as longer-term degradation of Delta water quality result in elevated salinity, total dissolved solids, bromide, total organic carbon, and algae concentrations and high levels of hardness and turbidity. As a result, some drinking water supplies originating in the Delta are subject to water treatment challenges for utilities, taste and odor problems for consumers, and possible increased health risks for some individuals.
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As noted in the Introduction of this document, project planning studies performed to date have developed a range of potential project alternatives for analysis in the EIS/EIR. These potential project alternatives are described below.
Reservoir Expansion Alternatives
Delivery Objectives and Operations A range of reservoir expansion alternatives has been developed for further detailed evaluation. The alternatives include the following elements:
x Different reservoir expansion sizing and operations geared to meet different combinations of the two primary project objectives: improve supply reliability and provide environmental water, and
x Different conveyance options (i.e., pipeline or tunnel) and alternative points of connection to deliver water to Bay Area users via facilities of the SWP (i.e., connect to the SBA at Dyer Canal or Bethany Reservoir).
3 Department of Water Resources, 2005. The State Water Project Water Reliability Report–Public Review Draft. November 2005 (Table B-2).
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 7 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
The expanded reservoir would be operated similarly to the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir: high-quality water would be diverted from the Delta for storage in the expanded reservoir. CCWD now uses Los Vaqueros Reservoir to capture high-quality flows from the Delta to blend later with more saline Delta supplies. An expanded reservoir would allow more high-quality water to be diverted into storage when surplus water (in excess of all other needs) is available in the Delta and when fish impacts are low. This situation would typically occur in the wetter months.
Currently, the reservoir operation is controlled by the water quality needs of CCWD and this would remain a key operational factor for the expanded reservoir. Like the current reservoir, an expanded reservoir would also be operated in accordance with other Delta operations, water- rights permits, the requirements of applicable biological opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for Endangered Species Act compliance and memoranda of understanding issued by the California Department of Fish and Game for species protection.
Required Facilities The facilities required for reservoir expansion are listed below and shown on Figure 2. Section 3.0 describes the current Los Vaqueros Reservoir Project facilities and provides background on reservoir operations. The size and/or location of some of the proposed facilities will vary, depending on the alternative. The most appropriate size and location of each facility under each alternative is still being refined and this will be presented in the EIS/EIR. The range of alternative facility sizes and locations currently under consideration is described here.
x Delta Intakes. Additional screened intakes in the Delta at Old River are being considered. The total intake capacity proposed for the expanded reservoir ranges from 1,250 cfs to 1,750 cfs and would include CCWD’s current 250 cfs intake capacity at Old River plus its proposed 250 cfs Alternative Intake Project (described below) with up to an additional 1,250 cfs of intake capacity to be constructed as part of the expansion project along Old River.
x Delta Pump Station. A new Delta pump station and pipelines to connect the current and new Delta intakes to the new Delta pump station would be constructed. The total pumping capacity proposed for this pump station would match the total Delta intake capacity.
x Delta-Los Vaqueros (Delta-LV) Pipeline. A Delta-LV pipeline would be constructed to deliver water from the Delta pump station to the expanded reservoir. Installation of either one or two parallel pipelines with diameters ranging up to approximately 12 feet is under consideration.
x Dam Modification or Replacement and Reservoir Expansion. The options of either raising the existing dam or replacing it with a new dam are both under evaluation to expand the current 100,000-acre-foot capacity reservoir up to a maximum of 500,000 acre-feet. A range of expanded reservoir sizes between
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 8 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 4 Discovery Bay Existing Old River Pump Station
Marsh Creek Creek Road Road Existing Transfer New Intake and Facility Delta-Los VaquerosVaqueros Pipeline Pipeline Mount Diablo Delta Pump State Park Station
New Transfer Byron H Highway Facilities within Watershed Pumping Plant – Pump Station and Pipeline – Balancing Reservoir ighway – Replacement Recreation Facilities – Dam Outlet Facilities Clifton Court Forebay t c u d Expanded e u na q a l Los Vaqueros A C New Gravity Pipeline to ia a t Reservoir rn Bethany Reservoir o o f d li a n or C e
Pump Station and M Banks a Pipeline and/or Tunnel to t 680 l Pumping e South Bay Aqueduct Plant D Tracy Pumping Plant
ad Canal Bethany r uct e ay Aqued Reservoir y B D Vasco RoRoad h South Bay t u o Pumping S Plant
Altamont Pass Road 205
580
Existing Facilities New Facilities 02 CCWD Administrative Boundary Miles
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR . 201110 SOURCE: USGS, 1993 (base map); and ESA, 2005 Figure 2 Proposed Project Facility Alternatives Notice of Preparation
100,000 acre-feet and 500,000 acre-feet is being evaluated. Figure 3 shows the inundation footprints for expanded reservoirs totaling 300,000 acre-feet and 500,000 acre-feet. Table 1 summarizes several key physical features for the current and an expanded reservoir.
x Los Vaqueros Watershed Recreational Facilities. Current facilities, including the marina, fishing piers, trails, picnic areas, and the interpretive center, would be relocated and expanded.
x Dam Outlet Facilities. A dam outlet pipeline, flow control station, and balancing reservoir to deliver water from the expanded reservoir to CCWD’s existing pipelines would be needed.
x Los Vaqueros – South Bay Aqueduct (LV-SBA) Pipeline. Facilities include either a pump station and an LV-SBA pipeline connecting the expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir directly to the SBA at Dyer Canal, a combination pump station/tunnel/ pipeline connecting the expanded reservoir to the SBA at Dyer Canal, or a gravity pipeline (without pump station) connecting to the SBA pumping plant at Bethany Reservoir that would convey water to the Bay Area water agencies served by the SBA.
CCWD and Reclamation are now conducting CEQA/NEPA review on CCWD’s proposed Alternative Intake Project (AIP). The AIP is a water quality improvement project to construct a new intake in the Central Delta on Victoria Canal to be used when water quality is better at the new intake than at the existing Old River Intake. The AIP is being designed for use with CCWD’s current water supply system and is proposed independently from an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir. An expanded reservoir project may increase total diversions at the combined intakes at Old River and the AIP intake, as well as make use of the new intakes on Old River proposed as part of the expansion project. The effects of such changes in timing and quantity of diversions will be addressed in the EIR/EIS for the project.
Construction of a new dam would take three to four years to complete, depending on the size of the dam being constructed. The construction of other major facilities, such as the Delta-LV pipeline and LV-SBA pipeline alternatives, could take up to three years. Based on these estimates, the overall project construction could reasonably take up to five years when contractor mobilization and demobilization activities are included.
Other Alternatives Public and agency input during the scoping process for the EIS/EIR may identify other alternatives for consideration. These will be evaluated in comparison to the proposed reservoir expansion project. Ongoing analysis as part of the federal Feasibility Study will determine if there are any other alternatives to reservoir expansion that should be evaluated further.
In addition, in accordance with the requirements of both CEQA and NEPA, the EIS/EIR will evaluate a No Action/No Project Alternative. A No Action/No Project Alternative will be defined
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 10 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 DOWNSTREAM
STAGING AREA
rd rd a
v FLOW CONTROL STATION, le u BALANCE RESERVOIR, AND o LV-SBA PUMP STATION B llnnut Wa EXISTING WATERSHED OFFICE
ENLARGED DAM
Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Existing Reservoir (100 Thousand Acre Feet [TAF]) Flow Control Station and Balance Reservoir
300 TAF Reservoir* Staging Area Alternatives
500 TAF Reservoir* 01 * Alternative reservoir sizes up to 500 TAF to be considered. Mile
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR . 201110 SOURCE: USGS, 1993 (base map); and ESA, 2005 Figure 3 Alternative Expanded Reservoir Sizes Notice of Preparation
TABLE 1 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVE RESERVOIR SIZES
Current 100,000-Acre-Foot Reservoir (No Project 300,000-Acre-Foot 500,000-Acre-Foot Comparison Feature Alternative) Expanded Reservoir Expanded Reservoir
Maximum Water Surface Elevation 472 567 636 (Feet Above Mean Sea Level) Total Reservoir Acreage (Acres) 1,500 2,600 3,300 Net Acreage Increase of Reservoir (Acres) – 1,100 1,800 Volume of Dam Embankment (Cubic Yards) 2,850,000 10,750,000 18,500,000
SOURCE: CCWD, Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Studies Planning Report, 2004
to characterize current and probable future environmental conditions, given the continued operation of water resource projects or facilities, such as the SWP and CVP, in combination with planned water resource projects or facilities that are approved or are authorized but not yet implemented.
3.0 Description of Existing Los Vaqueros Project
The current Los Vaqueros Reservoir, as shown in Figure 4, is located in eastern Contra Costa County, California. CCWD owns and operates the facility for the benefit of its customers. The reservoir and ancillary features were placed into operation in 1998.
The Contra Costa Canal and Los Vaqueros Project constitute CCWD’s principal water supply and delivery system. Water is diverted at the Old River Intake/ Pump Station, where it is either conveyed to the reservoir for storage or to the CCWD service area for direct use.
The current Los Vaqueros Project consists of a storage reservoir behind a 200-foot-high dam, more than 18 miles of 72- to 96-inch piping, a screened intake at Old River, and two pump stations (the Figure 4 Current Los Vaqueros Reservoir Old River Pumping Plant and the Transfer Facility) with a capacity of 250 cfs.
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The current Los Vaqueros Reservoir has a storage capacity of up to 100,000 acre-feet. Water diverted from the Delta is conveyed to the reservoir when high-quality supplies are available. This water is later released and blended with more saline Delta water supplies to meet CCWD’s water quality objectives. The CCWD Board of Directors has adopted water quality objectives in order to keep constituents of major health concern at the lowest levels that are technically feasible and provide its customers with a consistent supply of safe, aesthetically-pleasing, high-quality water.
Additional facilities, including recreational facilities that make available both water-oriented and upland recreational opportunities, have been constructed and are operational.
CCWD uses the Los Vaqueros Project to capture high-quality flows from the Delta to blend with CVP supplies when Delta water quality is degraded by either salinity intrusion or by discharges into the Delta and its tributary streams. With the Los Vaqueros Project, CCWD can reduce or eliminate Delta diversions during sensitive periods for Delta fisheries, increase diversions when fish are not in abundance, and shift diversions between intakes. The reservoir also provides important emergency storage that can be used if, for any reason, CCWD is unable to divert water from the Delta.
The operation of Los Vaqueros Reservoir is controlled by CCWD’s water quality and supply needs, in accordance with Delta operations, water-rights permits, the requirements of biological opinions issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service and a memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Fish and Game. The biological opinions identify measures that were adopted as part of the Los Vaqueros Project to mitigate or avoid impacts to federally listed threatened or endangered species.
4.0 Environmental Issues to Be Addressed in the EIS/EIR
Following is an overview of the environmental issues that the EIS/EIR will address for the project. The EIS/EIR will examine the potentially significant environmental effects in each of the environmental issue areas outlined below, identify mitigation measures, and evaluate whether such measures can reduce impacts to a less-than-significant level.
The studies completed to date (the 2004 Planning Report and the 2005 Initial Alternatives Information Report, available for review from CCWD or online at www.lvstudies.com) have provided a preliminary assessment of the environmental effects of the project. The EIS/EIR will fully analyze all potential environmental effects of the project alternatives in accordance with NEPA and CEQA requirements.
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Effects on visual quality associated with implementation of the proposed project would primarily result due to the siting of new or modified facilities. Under the proposed project a larger dam than
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 13 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
now exists would be constructed and the expanded reservoir would inundate a larger area of grassland and oak woodland. New facilities, including a new Delta pump station and new in-bank intake facilities would be constructed in the Delta area. Construction activities would result in short-term visual changes associated with equipment and materials storage and movement as well as earthwork. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Degradation or obstruction of scenic views and designated scenic resources x Creation of new sources of light and/or glare
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Siting of new or modified facilities in the Delta and eastern Contra Costa County could affect agricultural lands by removing agricultural soils from production. Project siting studies to date have endeavored to minimize effects on agricultural lands. Construction activities could cause short-term impacts to agricultural activities. Operation of proposed facilities is not expected to result in ongoing impacts to neighboring agricultural activities. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Loss of farmland x Impacts or conflicts with existing or planned agricultural activities
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Effects on air quality from implementation of the project would largely be associated with facility construction activities and, as such, would be temporary and short term. Construction activities would result in short-term increases in air pollutant emissions and dust generation due to earthwork, construction equipment movement, and vehicle emissions. In addition, new pump stations may involve backup energy supply sources that will be evaluated for air emissions. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Construction emissions, including dust x Consistency with regional air quality plans
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Construction of the project would have impacts resulting in the loss of habitat due to the expansion of the reservoir inundation area and, to a lesser extent, the siting of new or modified facilities. Project construction would also disturb terrestrial habitats and wildlife as a result of short-term effects such noise, vibration, dust, and erosion.
Expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir up to a 500,000-acre-foot facility could inundate up to approximately 1,960 acres, affecting mostly grassland habitat and other habitats as well as the plant and animal species that now occupy these lands. Construction of new or modified facilities in addition to reservoir expansion could affect up to another approximately 200 acres, again primarily grassland. Several special-status plant and animal species are known or are expected to
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 14 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
reside in the watershed, inundation area, and other project construction zones. These species are designated for special management and protection according to federal and state statutes. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Changes in the extent of habitat or habitat quality for terrestrial plants and wildlife x Effects on special-status species x Effects on species populations and the ability to maintain self-sustaining levels x Interference with wildlife species movement corridors or migration
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Project facilities could have potential adverse effects on known cultural resources. There is also the potential to affect previously unknown buried cultural resources, especially near creeks and other sensitive areas. Based on previous evaluations, there are 74 known cultural resources and one sensitive location within the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion study area, including the watershed and alternative conveyance pipeline corridors. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Effects on archaeological resources x Effects on historic/architectural resources x Effects on Indian Trust assets and Native American resources
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The reservoir expansion project has been designed to address one of the primary objectives of providing protection for Delta fisheries. Potential effects on fish of altering the timing and location of current Delta water diversion pumping for the Bay Area water users will be evaluated. The effect of constructing new diversion facilities in the Delta will also be evaluated for potential effects on aquatic habitat and short-term effects on fisheries resources. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Changes in the extent of habitat or habitat quality x Changes in a fish population that cause it to drop below self-sustaining levels x Effects on special-status species x Interference with the movement of any native or migratory fish species
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Potential geologic hazards will be assessed to determine if the implementation of the expansion alternative would pose a threat or increase the severity of a hazard to human populations. The potential effect of accelerated soil erosion will be assessed. Both the short-term erosion potential anticipated during construction and the long-term erosion potential that may occur from reservoir shoreline wave action will be addressed. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 15 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
x Seismic hazards to the water system and/or increased exposure of people and structures to seismic hazards x Increased exposure of people or structures to geologic hazards (such as liquefaction, poor soil conditions, or unstable slopes) x Erosion potential
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Construction of the expanded reservoir would involve the use of hazardous materials that could pose an environmental threat if accidentally released. In addition, earthwork activities, such as pipeline trenching, could encounter hazardous waste materials that require proper removal and disposal. Finally, the dam safety will also be evaluated. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Potential to encounter hazardous materials or waste during construction or potential to release hazardous materials during construction x Potential to accidentally release chemicals during facility operations or cause changes with respect to the risk of upset x Potential to expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss or injury involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam.
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The proposed reservoir expansion project has been designed to avoid significant impacts to other beneficial Delta water uses including other Delta water diverters. The EIS/EIR will evaluate the effects of proposed changes in the timing and/or amount of Delta diversions. Construction activities could cause short-term, temporary effects on local streams and drainages. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Changes in surface water flows and water levels and resulting adverse effects on beneficial uses (including instream uses such as aquatic habitat and fisheries, and recreation and consumptive uses) x Changes in surface water quality from program operation or construction activities x Alteration of existing drainage patterns x Exposure of people to and/or increasing risk of flooding, seiche, or tsunami hazards
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Most of the proposed facility improvements or additions would occur within existing facility sites and rights-of-way, and the project is expected to be consistent with applicable land use plans, policies, and regulations. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Substantial conflict with any applicable land use plans, policies, and/or regulations of an agency with jurisdiction over the project, adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 16 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
x Disruption of an established community x Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan
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Noise and vibration effects from implementation of the project would largely be associated with facility construction activities and, as such, would be temporary and short term. The EIS/EIR will also evaluate potential changes in system operation that could result in long-term noise effects affecting adjacent land uses. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Construction noise and vibration x Effects of operations on noise levels
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Construction of the expanded reservoir and associated facilities would result in short-term disruption of recreational activities primarily within CCWD’s Los Vaqueros watershed and in the relocation of some watershed recreational facilities, such as the marina and some trails. The project has been designed to fully restore and enhance the recreational opportunities provided within the Los Vaqueros watershed. In addition, construction of additional intake facilities in the Delta may have short-term impacts on boating in the immediate vicinity of the construction site. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Effects on water-based recreational facilities and activities x Effects on land-based recreational facilities and activities due to the siting or operations of proposed facilities or construction activities (e.g., short-term effects due to noise, dust, access restrictions)
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Effects on traffic, transportation, and circulation resulting from the project would largely be associated with facility construction activities and, as such, would be temporary and short term. Construction activity would increase car, truck, and equipment traffic in the project area and could also result in temporary road restrictions and closures where Project facilities need to be installed within traffic lanes or rights-of-way. No long-term effects on traffic and circulation are expected. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Effects on the regional transportation network or facilities x Effects of adding new vehicle trips and contributing to increased traffic congestion during construction and/or operation of proposed facilities x Effects on traffic safety
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 17 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Notice of Preparation
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The construction of the project facilities could encounter utility systems including electric power distribution lines, gas transmission pipelines, and wind power generation systems. The project would not result in a long-term change in public service or facilities needs. Potential effects to be evaluated include:
x Disruption of services (such as water or power) during construction x Effects on other utilities (such as the need for relocation) x Need for additional services during construction (such as increased police and/or private security services for site security and traffic control) x Need for additional services for project operation, specifically power service requirements.
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The potential for the project alternatives to remove an obstacle to future population growth and development will be evaluated in the EIS/EIR. To the extent that the project has growth- inducement potential, the EIR will evaluate the secondary effects of growth in accordance with CEQA requirements.
Potential cumulative effects will also be evaluated in relation to the effects of the project in light of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects that may act in combination with expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir to produce effects that are cumulatively significant.
5.0 Mitigation Measures
Measures available to offset, avoid, reduce, or otherwise minimize the severity of potential impacts will be identified and discussed in the EIS/EIR. These measures will include those that can be employed during construction to reduce the effects of temporary construction activities and may include the acquisition of habitat capable of supporting special-status species to offset the loss of those lands inundated by the expanded reservoir.
6.0 Topics Eliminated from Discussion in the EIS/EIR
Based on the results of studies performed to date, no environmental topics will be excluded from discussion in the EIS/EIR.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project 18 ESA / 201110 EIR Notice of Preparation January 2006 Appendix B-2 Notice of Preparation Mailing List Source: Formal Interested Source: CCWD AIP - Notification Parties CP List NOP Mailing Last Name First Name Title Organization Name Address City State Postal Code X Sorenson James Director Alameda County Community Development Agency 224 West Winton Ave, Room 110 Hayward CA 94544 X LaBelle Donald Director Alameda County Public Works Agency 399 Elmhurst Street Hayward CA 94544 X X Cartwright Eric Alameda County Water District P.O. Box 5110 Fremont CA 94537 X X Sandkulla Nicole Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency 155 Bovet Road, Suite 302 San Mateo CA 94402 X X Eckart Bob Environmental Affairs Bureau of Reclamation 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento CA 95825 X X Kegel Erika Bureau of Reclamation 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento CA 95825 X X Roberson Patricia Bureau of Reclamation 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento CA 95825 X X Gilmore Rick General Manager Byron Bethany Irrigation District P.O. Box 160 Byron CA 94514 X X Darling Cindy CA Bay-Delta Authority 650 Capitol Mall, 5th Floor Sacramento CA 95814 X X O'Bryant Dennis CA Department of Conservation 801 "K" Street, MS 13-71 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Holmes Anna CA Department of Fish and Game 4001 N. Wilson Way Stockton CA 95205 X X Starr James CA Department of Fish and Game 4001 N. Wilson Way Stockton CA 95205 X X White Jim CA Department of Fish and Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento CA 95814 X X Floerke Rob Regional Manager, Central Coast CA Department of Fish and Game P.O. Box 47 Yountville CA 94599 Region X Morey Sandy Regional Manager, Sacramento Valley CA Department of Fish and Game 1701 Nimbus Road Rancho Cordova CA 95670 Sierra Region X X Healey Mike CA Department of Fish and Game 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A Rancho Cordova CA 95670 X Dumas Tom Chief, Office of Intermodal Planning CA Department of Transportation P.O. Box 2048 Stockton CA 95201 X Sable Timothy District Branch Chief CA Department of Transportation 111 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 23680 Oakland CA 94623 X X Cimperman Stephen CA Department of Water Resources P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Kelly Kathy CA Department of Water Resources P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento CA 94236 X X Roberts Steve CA Department of Water Resources P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Vogelsang Chuck CA Department of Water Resources P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento CA 94236 X X Sanders Dwight Division Chief, Environmental Planning CA State Lands Commission 100 Howe Ave Suite 100 South Sacramento CA 95825
X XXFarrell Anne Central Contra Costa Sanitary District 5019 Imhoff Place Martinez CA 94553 X X Nomellini, Sr. Dante General Manager and Co-Counsel Central Delta Water Agency Nomellini, Grilli & McD 235 E. Weber Ave., P.O. Box 1461 Stockton CA 95201 X X Birk Serge Central Valley Project Water Association 11861 Parey Road Red Bluff CA 96080 X X Stackhouse Robert Central Valley Project Water Association 1521 "I" Street Sacramento CA 95814 X X Landau Ken Assistant Executive Officer Central Valley Region Water Quality Control Board 11020 Sun Center Drive #200 Rancho Cordova CA 95670 (CVRWQCB) X Pinkos Thomas Executive Officer Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Boar11020 Sun Center Drive # 200 Rancho Cordova CA 95670-6114 X X Harrington Phil Director of Public Works City of Antioch P.O. Box 5007 Antioch CA 94509 X X Carniglia Victor Deputy Director City of Antioch Planning Department P.O. Box 5007 Antioch CA 94531 X X Eldredge Paul City of Brentwood 708 Third Street Brentwood CA 94513 X X Leana Mike Planning Department City of Brentwood Planning Department 708 Third Street Brentwood CA 94513 X X Graves Jeremy Director City of Clayton Planning Department 6000 Heritage Trail Clayton CA 94517 X Forsberg Jim Director of Planning & Economic City of Concord Planning Department 1950 Parkside Drive Concord CA 94519 X Development X X Pearson Richard Deputy Director City of Martinez Planning Department 525 Henrietta Street Martinez CA 94553 X X Willis Rebecca Director City of Oakley Planning Department 3639 Main Street Oakley CA 94561 Fuller John Director City of Pittsburg Pubic Works Department 65 Civic Avenue Pittsburg CA 94565 X X Jerome Randy City of Pittsburg Planning Department 65 Civic Avenue Pittsburg CA 94565 X X McCann Casey Deputy Director City of Pleasant Hill Planning Department 100 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill CA 94523 X X Meyer Sandra Planning Manager City of Walnut Creek Planning Department 1666 No. Main Street Walnut Creek CA 94596 X X Barry Dennis Community Development Director Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street, 4th Floor - North Martinez CA 94553 Wing X X Goulart Roberta Contra Costa County Community Development Dep651 Pine St., 4th Floor, North Wing Martinez CA 94553 X Shiu Maurice Director Contra Costa County Public Works Department 255 Glacier Drive Martinez CA 94553 X XXDarling Gary General Manager Delta Diablo Sanitation District 2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway Antioch CA 94509-1373 X X Fiack Linda Executive Director Delta Protection Commission 14215 River Road Walnut Grove CA 95690 X X Yeraka Mike General Manager Diablo Water District 2107 Main Street Oakley CA 94561 X X Campbell Brian East Bay Municipal Utility District 375 11th Street Oakland CA 94607 X X O'Brien Pat General Manager East Bay Regional Park District P.O. Box 5381 Oakland CA 94605 X X Preston Larry General Manager East Contra Costa Irrigation District P.O. Box 696 Brentwood CA 94513 X X Leonard Dick Superintendent Golden State Water Company 53-B Manor Drive Bay Point CA 94565 X XXWilliams Tom District Manager Ironhouse Sanitary District 450 Walnut Meadows Drive Oakley CA 94561 X X Neudeck Christopher Kjeldson Sinnock Neudeck P.O. Box 844 Stockton CA 95201 X X Oppenheim Bruce National Marine Fisheries Service 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8-300 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Aceituno Michael National Marine Fisheries Service 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 6070 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Windham Diane Recovery Coordinator National Marine Fisheries Service 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8300 Sacramento CA 95814 X X Conway Jeff Reclamation District 800 P.O. Box 262 Discovery Bay CA 94514 X Chrisman Mike Secretary for Resources Resources Agency 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento CA 95814 X X Levin Ellen San Francisco Public Utilities Commission 1155 Market St., 4th Floor San Francisco CA 94103 X X Sullivan Kerry Community Development Director San Joaquin County 1810 East Hazelton Avenue Stockton CA 95205 X X Kao Cindy Santa Clara Valley Water District 5750 Almaden Expressway San Jose CA 95118 X X Maher Joan Santa Clara Valley Water District 5750 Almaden Expressway San Jose CA 95118 X Ligon Tracy Santa Clara Valley Water District 5750 Almaden Expressway San Jose CA 95118 X X Herrick John South Delta Water Agency 4258 Pacific, Ste. 2 Stockton CA 95207 X Donaldson Milford State Historic Preservation Officer State Historic Preservation Office P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento CA 94296-0001 X Rabbon Peter General Manager State Reclamation Board P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento CA 94236 X X Wilson Greg Division of Water Rights State Water Resources Control Board P.O. Box 2000 Sacramento CA 95812 X Wilson Craig Division of Water Quality State Water Resources Control Board P.O. Box 100 Sacramento CA 95812 X XXKoehne Virgil General Manager Town of Discovery Bay 1800 Willow Lake Road Discovery Bay CA 94514 X X Guthrie Bill U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1325 J Street Sacramento CA 95814-2922 X XXFinan Michael U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1325 "J" Street Sacramento CA 95814 X Eldridge, Comm Kevin Rear Admiral U.S. Coast Guard - 11th District Commander PCP Building 42, Coast GAlameda CA 94501-5100 X XXMonroe Michael U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco CA 94105 X XXYale Carolyn U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco CA 94105 X XXBartoo A. Leigh U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way W-2605 Sacramento CA 95825 X X Littlefield Mark Littlefield U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way W-2605 Sacramento CA 95825 X X Guinee Roger Supervisor, Water Operations U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605 Sacramento CA 95825 X X Nichols Graydon Business Manager Victoria Island Farms P.O. Box 87 Holt CA 95234 X X Knight Russel Western Area Power Administration 114 Parkshore Drive Folsom CA 95630 X X Wong Vincent Zone 7 Water Agency 5997 Parkside Drive Pleasanton CA 94588 Appendix B-3 Office of Planning and Research Filing Acknowledgement
Appendix C Public Notice and Meeting Advertisement Appendix C-1 Reclamation Press Release Mid-Pacific Region Sacramento, CA
MP-06-???
Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken 916-978-5100 [email protected]
For Release On: January 5, 2006 Public Scoping Meetings Scheduled on the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Investigation
The Bureau of Reclamation, along with the Contra Costa Water District, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Investigation. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, December 20, 2005.
Four public scoping meetings are being held to solicit public input on topics to be addressed in the EIS/EIR, including resources to be evaluated, alternatives to be considered, and significant concerns and issues. The meetings will begin with a 45-minute open house during which participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with the study team, followed by a brief presentation by the lead agencies. The second hour of the scoping meetings will consist of a facilitated comment period. The meetings are scheduled as follows:
x Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Department of Water Resources, the Bonderson Building, 901 P Street, Public Hearing Room first floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 x Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 6 to 8 p.m. Legion Hall, Veteran’s Memorial building 403 West 6th Street, Antioch, CA 94509 x Wednesday January 25, 2006, 6 to 8 p.m., Martinelli Event Center, Agricultural Center, 3585 Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94550 x Thursday, January 26, 2006, 6 to 8 p.m., Contra Costa Water District, 1331 Concord Ave., Concord, CA 94520
The EIS/EIR will evaluate expanding the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir and alternatives to improve water supply reliability and water quality for Bay Area water users, particularly those receiving water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and contribute to lower cost implementation of the Environmental Water Account. Contra Costa Water District is the lead agency for preparation of the EIR.
Written comments on the scope of the environmental document are due by close of business February 28, 2006, and should be sent to Ms. Patricia Roberson, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825-1898. For additional information, please contact Ms. Roberson at 916-978-5094, TDD 916-978-5608, or e-mail [email protected].
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov. Appendix C-2 Reclamation/CCWD Notification Flyer
94524 CA Concord,
H2O Box P.O.
District Water Costa Contra c/o
Project Expansion Reservoir
Vaqueros Los
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project
Please join us for PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
U.S. Department of the Interior CONTRA COSTA Bureau of Reclamation WATER DISTRICT Mid-Pacific Region Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project EIS/EIR PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
The Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) and Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) are currently evaluating if an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir could: Improve water supply reliability for Bay Area water users Improve water quality for Bay Area water users
Provide lower cost water for the Environmental Water Account to protect Delta fish species We are now in the environmental review phase. To meet Federal and State requirements, Reclamation and CCWD will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to evaluate alternatives to meet project purposes.
Please join us for public scoping meetings. CCWD and Reclamation want to hear your input on topics to address in the EIS/EIR, including resources to be evaluated, alternatives to be considered, and significant concerns and issues. At each of the scoping meetings, participants will have an opportunity to: View updated project information in an Open House format and interact with the project team (45 minutes) Hear a Brief Presentation focused on project updates and schedule (15 minutes) Participate in a facilitated Public Comment Period (60 minutes)
Meetings will be held at the following locations: Please note that the program for each meeting is identical. SACRAMENTO ANTIOCH LIVERMORE Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Wednesday January 25, 2006 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dept. of Water Resources Veteran’s Memorial Martinelli Event Center Bonderson Building Building, Legion Hall Agricultural Center (Public Hearing Rm - 1st flr.) 403 West 6th Street 3583 Greenville Road 901 P Street CONCORD Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Contra Costa Water District 1331 Concord Avenue
Written comments on the scope of the environmental document are due by close of business February 28, 2006. To submit written comments or if you have any other questions, please contact: Marguerite Naillon Patricia Roberson Contra Costa Water District Bureau of Reclamation P.O. Box H20 2800 Cottage Way Concord CA 94524 OR Sacramento CA 95825-1898 925 688-8018 916 978-5074 FAX 916 978-5094 FAX 925 686-2187 TDD 916 978-5608 [email protected] [email protected] Please visit our project websites at www.lvstudies.com or www.usbr.gov/mp/vaqueros to find project information including the Notice of Intent (NOI) and the Notice of Preparation (NOP). Appendix C-3 CCWD Newspaper Advertisement IvprsQiyvpTpvtHrrvt G Whr Srr v @hv @DT@DS ! "##$### % &##$### % ' ( ) * ) ! ) ) ( + * * ' , - . ' , ',-.',$ * $ * $ +( $ ) / 0 Pr Cr 0 $ 7 vrs Q rrhv 0 $ Qiyvp8rQr vq+ * / Thp hr Urqh Ehh !# !% "/1#N1/1# ++$ 3* 4 + N " 5#" 3 - - $(5&6"78 6vpu Urqh Ehh !# !%$ 9/##N6/## ++ S ; $ 4 7#1 9 - ( $( 57: Gvr r Xrqrqh Ehh !$ !% 9/## N 6/## ++ ; ' ( 1&6& < $(57& 8p q Uu qh Ehh !% !% 9/##N6/## ++ $ $ "11" ( $(57&=#+ ) >3 + * yqvrp i thr + ) ( * ( + , ) $ 3 0 ; *$ * *) ) + Rrv4 Qyrhr php Hh tr vr Ihvyy 88X9 Q wrp Hhhtr h (!$%''' 'yqvr5uhvyp Appendix C-4 CCWD Letter to Elected Officials January 4, 2006
Name Address City, State Zip Code
Subject: Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Studies Public Scoping Meetings
Dear :
In 2004, the voters of the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) approved the District proceeding with studies to expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir by a vote of 62% to 38%. CCWD is coordinating with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the potential expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir is one of the potential surface storage projects described in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program’s long- term plan that could contribute to improving the quality and reliability of Bay Area drinking water supplies and Delta ecosystems. Over the last four years, CCWD has completed a series of environmental and operational studies on an expansion, while keeping the public and stakeholders informed through a comprehensive outreach program. CCWD and Reclamation are now entering the next environmental review phase and have scheduled a series of public scoping meetings. The purpose of the scoping meetings is to bring people up to date on the Studies, including upcoming reports for the environmental review. The meetings are also an opportunity to gather formal public scoping comments on the potential environmental impacts of the project. The scoping meetings will be January 24, 25, and 26, 2006, at the four locations shown below. The meetings will begin with an open house, during which participants will have the opportunity to view exhibits and interact directly with members of the project team. A brief presentation will follow with a formal public comment period.
Sacramento Antioch Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Tuesday, January 24, 2006 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bonderson Building, Public Hearing Rm. Legion Hall, Veteran’s Memorial Building (first floor) 403 West 6th Street 901 P Street Antioch, CA 94509 Sacramento, CA 95814
Livermore Concord Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Thursday, January 26, 2006 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Martinelli Event Center, Agricultural Center Contra Costa Water District Center 3585 Greenville Road 1331 Concord Avenue Livermore, CA 94550 Concord, CA 94520 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Studies Public Scoping Meetings January 4, 2006 Page 2
All those interested are invited to provide comment on the scope of the environmental analysis. This public comment period will extend through February 28, 2006. Please join us to learn more about the Studies and provide your comments. If you have any questions, please contact Marguerite Naillon, Project Manager at (925) 688-8018 or [email protected]. Please visit the project website for project information updates at www.lvstudies.com. CCWD will keep you informed on the progress of the EIS/EIR. Sincerely,
Joseph L. Campbell President
JLC/MN:ps
Appendix D Scoping Meeting Materials Appendix D-1 Open House Program/Agenda ! " " #$%&'(&) &**) + ),**M),'. ),'.M/,** • 01 2$3 4 • !! 5 6 ! 1 ! 57 8 • $"% "$1M /,**M9,** • : 1 "$;1 "< ! " # $ % & # " % 01 6 3 $4"3$;1 2= 1 ? 144 2( " 11 2 " $ 4= !! 5 >2 $" ! 5;>2 $" 6 "4 ; 2 +1 1124 4 23 2 " ! 10 $ = !" ## $% & " # ! 53 ? 3$3 44"1 1"46 ;? != 3 6 ? 6 '( # ; $ 1 !4"!1 3 "!1$ = )*# ; $ 3 4 " @34 3 4 1 " 6 1 % 4 $ " 3 4 +1 3 4= @ 34 + &,%-& ; $ ! 1! 53 44 64 ; 1 %3 3 44 " !114 "$1=5 5 4"A$4 4"5 % $6 """ 1 6 = Appendix D-2 Open House Exhibit Boards Welcome to the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR Public Scoping Meetings
Sacramento Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Antioch Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Livermore Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Concord Thursday, January 26, 2006 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings OVERVIEW OF BAY-DELTA SYSTEM
Delta Challenges The Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta supplies water to more than twenty-three million water users in California. At the same time, the Delta provides essential habitat for a diverse array of fish and wildlife. We currently face many challenges to maintain a FRESH WATER balance between water use and the environment including:
Ecosystem Restoration
Water Quality
SACRAMENTO RIVER F R E S itdddhtthhil H W AT TIDAL INFLUEN CE E R
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER Water Supply Reliability
LOSVAQUEROSRESERVOIR CLIFTON COURT RESERVOIR
BANKS PUMPING PLANT TRACY PUMPING PLANT Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ONGOING STORAGE PROJECT STUDIES
SHASTA LAKE WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATION State and federal agencies have identified the following programs to address the Bay-Delta challenges:
• Water Management • Storage The agencies are studying NORTH OF DELTA four storage projects OFFSTREAM STORAGE • Conveyance to address ecosystem • Water Use Efficiency restoration, water supply reliability and water quality. • Water Transfers • Ecosystem Restoration • Environmental Water Account • Watersheds • Drinking Water Quality • Levee System Integrity • The CALFED Science Program
LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR EXPANSION
UPPER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER TRACY PUMPING PLANT BASIN STORAGE INVESTIGATION BANKS PUMPING PLANT Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ENVIRONMENTAL WATER ACCOUNT
What is the Environmental Water Account? Historic EWA Water Purchases The EWA contributes to the protection and recovery of at-risk native Delta-dependent fish species. EWA works by reducing pumping from the Delta when fish are most at risk and repaying that water to the state and federal water projects so users’ water supplies are not reduced. Two primary elements of the EWA include: acquiring and managing water assets; and using these assets to repay the water projects when actions are taken to protect Delta fish. ASSETS ACTIONS AGENCIES
336,000 240,000 215,000 154,000 99,000 acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet acre-feet 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005*
How do Pumping Curtailments Work?
BANKS PUMPING PLANT TRACY PUMPING PLANT Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings PROJECT PURPOSES
Districts that could be served by an expanded reservoir. Environmental Water
Use an expanded Los Vaqueros 780 Reservoir to develop replacement 5 water supplies for a fisheries
Contra Costa Sacramento- protection program such as the Water District San Joaquin long-term Environmental Water Delta Account (EWA) program or an
80 East Bay LOS VAQUEROS equivalent program. Municipal RESERVOIR Utility District TRACY PUMPING PLANT 680 BANKS PUMPING PLANT
San Francisco 580 Public Utilities Water Supply Commission Alameda County Flood Control and Reliability Water Conservation Increase water supply District 280 Alameda County Zone 7 reliability for Bay Area Water District water providers to help meet municipal and industrial water demands during drought periods.
Santa Clara Valley Water District Salinity Levels in the Delta Fluctuate Throughout the Year Water Quality 200 While meeting water supply 101 150 Level at which salt becomes reliability and environmental noticeable to the taste
water objectives, improve 100 the quality of water deliveries CCWD salinity goal 010 65 to municipal and industrial 50 Chloride concentration mg / L Miles customers in the Bay Area. Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Data from Old River at Highway 4 (2001) Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings WATER USES
The water stored in an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir would be used for environmental water, water supply reliability and water quality. The level of participation by potential project partners will determine the uses of water from the reservoir.
Expanded Reservoir
Up to 500,000 Acre Feet Variable
ENVIRONMENTAL WATER WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY BUREAU OF RECLAMATION CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT CA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES BAY AREA WATER AGENCIES US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE CA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
Flexible
Existing Reservoir 100,000 Acre Feet CCWD WATER QUALITY
CCWD EMERGENCY STORAGE Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings RESERVOIR FACILITIES
DOWNSTREAM STAGING AREA OPTIONS
FLOW CONTROL STATION, BALANCE RESERVOIR AND OULEVARD EXISTING LV-SBA PUMP STATION UT B WALN WATERSHED OFFICE
PROPOSED DAM
LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings CONVEYANCE FACILITIES
CC 4 DISCOVERY BAY
x EXISTING OLD RIVER PUMP STATION
NEW DELTA-LOS VAQUEROS PIPELINE EXISTING TRANSFER NEW INTAKE AND FACILITY DELTA PUMP STATION NEW TRANSFER PUMPING PLANT AND PIPELINE
BYRON H
IGHWAY
NEW BALANCE RESERVOIR CLIFTON COURT AND PUMP STATION FOREBAY
MOUNTDIABLOSTATE PARK
EXPANDED LOS VAQUEROS TA CANAL DO RESERVOIR N NEW GRAVITY PIPELINE TO E BETHANY RESERVOIR M
OR CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT DELTA NEW PUMP STATION AND TRACY PIPELINE AND/OR TUNNEL TO BANKS PUMPING PLANT SOUTH BAY AQUEDUCT PUMPING PLANT
QUEDUCT BETHANY RESERVOIR H BAY A UT O S SOUTH BAY PUMPING PLANT VASCO ROAD
ALTAMONT PASS ROAD 205 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT
The agencies are developing and refining alternatives.
COST, FEASIBILITY MEET PROJECT PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT PURPOSES ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL EIS/EIR
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion
Storage Outside of Bay Area
Other Bay Area Storage
Desalination
Conservation
Recycling
Other Concepts from Scoping Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - INUNDATION
Vegetation Resources PROPOSED DAM Wildlife Species • G • Oak WoodlandsWoodland
Recreation Cultural Resources tion of
Interpretetivee stingg TrailsTrail
Visual Resources Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION
Traffic and Circulation CC 4 Du DISCOVERY BAY
x EXISTING OLD RIVER PUMP STATION
NEW DELTA-LOS VAQUEROS PIPELINE EXISTING TRANSFER NEW INTAKE AND FACILITY DELTA PUMP STATION NEW TRANSFER PUMPING PLANT AND PIPELINE
BYRON HIGHW
AY
NEW BALANCE RESERVOIR CLIFTON COURT AND PUMP STATION FOREBAY
MOUNTDIABLOSTATE PARK
EXPANDED LOS VAQUEROS TA CANAL DO RESERVOIR N NEW GRAVITY PIPELINE TO E BETHANY RESERVOIR M
OR CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT DELTA NEW PUMP STATION AND TRACY PIPELINE AND/OR TUNNEL TO BANKS PUMPING PLANT SOUTH BAY AQUEDUCT PUMPING PLANT Temporary Construction Activities
QUEDUCT BETHANY RESERVOIR H BAY A UT O S SOUTH BAY PUMPING PLANT VASCO ROAD
ALTAMONT PASS ROAD 205 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - OPERATIONS
780 5 Delta Fisheries Contra Costa Sacramento- Water District San Joaquin 4 Delta
80 East Bay LOS VAQUEROS Municipal RESERVOIR Utility District TRACY PUMPING PLANT 680 BANKS PUMPING PLANT
San Francisco 580 99 Public Utilities Commission Alameda County Flood Control and Delta Water Quality Water Conservation District 280 Alameda County Zone 7 Water District
Cumulative and Growth Inducing Effects Effects of project withi • Considering past, pre Santa Clara Valley foreseeable future pr Water District Delta Hydrology • Secondary effects of
101
010
Miles Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion EIS/EIR • Public Scoping Meetings STUDY PROCESS SCHEDULE
FEASIBILITY STUDY
Draft Feasibility Final Report Feasibility Report Project Final Design, Alternatives Development Draft Authorization Permitting & EIS/EIR Final Construction EIS/EIR
Public Public Input Input Response to Comments Impacts & Mitigation Scoping Baseline Studies
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
JANUARY 2006 DECEMBER 2006 Appendix D-3 Public Meeting Presentation
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7 Appendix D-4 Comment and Speaker Cards LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR EXPANSION EIS/EIR
COMMENT CARD
Comments may be submitted today or mailed to: Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project c/o Contra Costa Water District P.O. Box H2O Concord, CA 94524-2099
*Please submit comments by 5:00 p.m. February 28, 2006 Name: ______Affiliation: ______Address: ______Phone: ______E-mail: ______
Comments:
Please use the reverse side or attach any additional pages ______Place ______Stamp ______Here
Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project c/o Contra Costa Water District P.O. Box H2O Concord, CA 94524-2099
Name:
Affiliation:
Address:
Phone Number: Email:
Comment:
Please submit your speaker card to the registration desk or meeting facilitator. The facilitator will use the cards to invite participants to provide oral comments during the public comment period.
Name:
Affiliation:
Address:
Phone Number: Email:
Comment:
Please submit your speaker card to the registration desk or meeting facilitator. The facilitator will use the cards to invite participants to provide oral comments during the public comment period. Appendix E Scoping Meeting Sign-In Sheets
Appendix F Transcripts of Oral Comments
Appendix G Written Comments Received During Public Review Period
Appendix H CCWD Board of Directors Resolution No. 03-24, June 25, 2003 RESOLUTION NO. 03-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT MAKING DETERMINATIONS AND ADOPTING CONDITIONS FOR DISTRICT PARTICIPATION IN AND SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM PROPOSAL FOR EXPANSION OF LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR
______
RECITALS
1. DISTRICT MISSION: The mission of the Contra Costa Water District (“District”) is to strategically provide a reliable supply of high quality water at the lowest cost possible, in an environmentally responsible manner.
2. 1998 LOS VAQUEROS PROJECT PURPOSES: On May 2, 1998 the District dedicated and put into service the Los Vaqueros Project, a 100,000 acre-foot drinking water reservoir in eastern Contra Costa County. The Los Vaqueros Project’s primary purposes, as set forth in District Resolution 88-45 (July 27, 1988), are “to improve water quality and provide emergency storage for the District’s ratepayers”. The additional purposes of the Los Vaqueros Project, as also set forth in Resolution 88-45 (July 27, 1988), are “to provide flood control benefits, maintain and enhance fish and wildlife resources, and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the primary water quality purpose and the preservation of the watershed and the watershed’s unique features”.
3. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN 1988 LOS VAQUEROS BALLOT MEASURE: On November 8, 1988, the District’s voters overwhelmingly approved the sale of revenue bonds to finance the Los Vaqueros Project, and the election results were declared by the District’s Board in its Resolution 88-58 Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 2
(November 30, 1988). The ballot measure placed before the District’s voters by the District’s Board of Directors in 1988 said, as required by District Resolution 88-46:
“Shall the Contra Costa Water District be authorized to issue and sell revenue bonds to finance the construction and acquisition of a District-controlled water storage and supply system, generally known as the Los Vaqueros Project, for the primary purposes of enhancing water quality and providing a source of emergency water supply, which shall not be operated in conjunction with a peripheral canal or to increase the export of water from Northern California without subsequent voter approval, with an estimated cost to the District in 1988 dollars of $350,000,000, including reservoirs, recreational facilities, pipelines, pumping plants, fish screens, watershed lands, and other facilities convenient or necessary in obtaining and delivering water and mitigating the environmental impacts thereof?” 4. COMPLIANCE WITH PROJECT PURPOSES AND CONDITIONS: The Los Vaqueros Project has been meeting and will continue to meet the District’s commitment, as specified by Resolution 88-45 to:
• provide its customers with high quality water;
• provide its customers with an emergency supply of water;
• provide flood control benefits;
• maintain and enhance the fishery and terrestrial resources of the Delta and the watershed; and
• provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of water quality and emergency storage objectives and preservation of the watershed and the watershed’s unique features.
Further, the Los Vaqueros Project has also achieved the following results:
• The District built the Los Vaqueros Project at a total cost less than the budget of $450,000,000 in actual expenditures ($350,000,000 in 1988 dollars) as committed to and specified by Resolution 88-45; Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 3
• The environmental mitigation and protection measures for the Delta and the Los Vaqueros Watershed have exceeded the expectations described in the Final Stage 2 Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the Los Vaqueros Project (Stage 2 EIR/EIS), provide a net benefit to the Delta and the watershed, and exceed the District’s commitment to mitigate environmental impacts to a level of less than significant, as specified by Resolution 88-45;
• The District’s Board of Directors committed to developing a recreation plan for the Los Vaqueros Project as part of the Stage 2 EIR/EIS, as specified by Resolution 88-45, and said plan was developed in 1990, adopted by the Board February 15, 1991, and included in the Stage 2 Final EIR/EIS certified by the Board on October 27, 1993;
• The District has implemented a recreation program that significantly exceeds the plan described in the Stage 2 Final EIR/EIS;
• The recreation program at the Los Vaqueros Watershed has been a success, providing a well-attended interpretive center, docent tours of watershed features, more than fifty-five miles of trails, including sixteen miles of multi-use trails with linkages to adjacent lands that are open to the public, and a public fishing resource that has become widely recognized as one of the best of the Bay Area;
• The Los Vaqueros Project is entirely owned and operated by the District; and the entire cost of the Los Vaqueros Project was paid for by the ratepayers of the District; and
• It is the policy of the District to maintain rate increases below the level of inflation; and the District has complied with its policy by maintaining rate increases at less than the rate of inflation for over 10 years, with the Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 4
average rate increase during the last 10 years equating to one half of the rate of inflation during that period.
5. CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM PROPOSAL FOR EXPANSION OF LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR: CALFED is a consortium of state and federal agencies which are working together to solve the problems of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The mission of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program is to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive plan that will restore ecological health and improve water management for beneficial uses of the Bay-Delta System.
The CALFED Agencies issued the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (CALFED Final PEIS/R) in July 2000, which described the long-term program to restore ecological health and improve water management in the Delta, and disclosed the impacts, cumulative impacts and mitigation measures and strategies for the entire CALFED Bay-Delta Program. The CALFED Agencies on August 28, 2000 adopted Findings and a Programmatic Record of Decision (CALFED ROD) that sets forth the CALFED Bay-Delta Program that is now being implemented. The CALFED ROD requires that project specific environmental documents tier off of the CALFED Final PEIS/R and include specific mitigation measures consistent with the programmatic measures of the CALFED ROD.
The CALFED ROD included expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir by up to 400,000 acre-feet (for a total water storage capacity of up to 500,000 acre-feet) as a surface storage project with participation by CCWD and local partners as part of a Bay Area water quality and water supply reliability initiative. The CALFED ROD states: “As part of a Bay Area initiative, an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir would provide water quality and water supply reliability benefits to Bay Area water users.” Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 5
6. CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT PRINCIPLES FOR AN EXPANSION: The District has an interest in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program objectives to provide water quality and supply reliability benefits to Bay Area water users, and to enhance and restore the aquatic and terrestrial habitats and ecological functions of the Bay-Delta. The District must also ensure that the interests of the District and its ratepayers are protected. On April 19, 2000 the District’s Board of Directors adopted seven principles (CCWD Principles) with regard to the CALFED ROD that state: “Contra Costa Water District will not support a proposal involving the existing Los Vaqueros Project or use of the Los Vaqueros or Kellogg reservoir sites without the following assurances:
1. The project improves water quality and reliability for CCWD; 2. The project enhances the Delta environment; 3. The project protects and enhances the fisheries and terrestrial species benefits provided by the existing Los Vaqueros Project; 4. The project preserves and increases the recreational opportunities of the Los Vaqueros Project; 5. CCWD must retain control of the watershed and operation of the reservoir; 6. The project protects and reimburses the financial investment made by the CCWD customers who financed the existing $450 million Los Vaqueros Project; and 7. The proposal would be placed before the voters of the Contra Costa Water District
In express recognition of these principles, the CALFED ROD states: “As an existing reservoir operated by the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), the Los Vaqueros Reservoir is subject to a number of mandates and agreements. DWR and Reclamation will work with CCWD and interested stakeholders to assure that previous commitments, including local voter approval required for expansion, are respected.” Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 6
7. OVER $50 MILLION OF CALFED STUDIES INCLUDING EXPANSION OF LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR AND $7 MILLION OF LOS VAQUEROS EXPANSION STUDIES COMPLETED, AND OVER THIRTY PUBLIC MEETINGS TO DATE: CALFED Agencies have, through a seven-year effort costing over $57 million, studied the environmental impacts of the CALFED Program, including the details of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion, and have studied key planning concerns associated with the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The CALFED Final PEIS/R constitutes the first tier of environmental analysis, addressing the effects of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program as a whole. Since CALFED Agencies adopted the Record of Decision, CALFED Agencies and the District have formed a Study Team for the purpose of carrying out the CALFED Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Studies (Studies), which started in January 2001. The California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alameda County Water District, Zone 7 of Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Santa Clara Valley Water District, City and County of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco Bay Area Water Users Association, and the District executed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2001 that describes how the Studies would be carried out. The District has implemented a public process designed to provide in-depth public information, feedback and consultation:
• A Draft Project Concept Report was produced in August 2002 that conceptually described how a Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion could be carried out in a way that would meet the CALFED ROD objectives for an expansion project and the District’s Principles;
• The Draft Project Concept Report was published and made available at public libraries and other facilities convenient to the general public, and was made Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 7
available on the Studies’ website, and three public workshops were held on the Draft Project Concept Report on September 10 and September 16, 2002;
• Comments were received from the public on the Draft Project Concept Report through written correspondence and at the public workshops, and all comments on the Draft Project Concept Report were kept as part of the public record;
• Based upon this public participation and further detailed study, a Draft Planning Report was produced in May 2003 that included the detailed information required to determine whether the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal could meet the CALFED ROD objectives for an expansion project and the District’s Principles,
• The Draft Planning Report described in detail the facilities required for the full range of scenarios of a reservoir expansion under the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal, the costs of the facilities, potential project partners, and the operations of the facilities that would be required to meet the CALFED ROD objectives for an expansion project and the District’s Principles,
• The Draft Planning Report included an environmental impact analysis that described in detail the full range of environmental impacts of a Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion, including the details of impacts on: Delta water quality; water levels; water velocities; channel flows; salinity in the western Delta and Bay; fishery and aquatic resources in the Delta and Bay; terrestrial habitat and species as a result of inundating lands within the watershed; terrestrial habitat and species as a result of constructing the project facilities; socioeconomics of the area; environmental justice; and growth;
• The Draft Planning Report also described in detail the benefits of the project for water supply during droughts and water quality for the District and the Bay Area; the net benefits that a Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion project would Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 8
have for Delta fisheries and aquatic resources; the mitigation strategies that would be required to reduce terrestrial impacts in order to meet the CALFED Bay-Delta Program objectives described in the CALFED ROD and the District’s Principles; and the institutional arrangements that are required to meet the District’s Principles for a CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir;
• The Draft Planning Report also described in detail how the District’s investment in the Los Vaqueros Project would be protected and estimated that the District would be reimbursed an amount of up to $200,000,000 in 2008 dollars;
• Copies of draft sections of the Draft Planning Report, known as Draft Briefing Papers, were published and made available at public libraries and other facilities convenient to the general public, and were made available on the Studies website;
• More than thirty public meetings and public workshops within the District and the Bay Area were held on the Draft Project Concept Report, Draft Briefing Papers and Draft Planning Report. Twenty Public Workshops on the Draft Briefing Papers and Draft Planning Report were held on January 30, February 4, February 19, March 4, March 6, March 19, April 17, April 22, May 21, May 29, June 3, June 4 and June 18, 2003, and comments were received from the public through written correspondence and at the public workshops on the Draft Briefing Papers; and
• All comments on the Draft Briefing Papers were kept as part of the public record and together with the comments on the Draft Project Concept Report were responded to and incorporated into and made part of the Draft Planning Report.
The information contained in the Draft Planning Report shows that the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir that meets the Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 9
CALFED ROD objectives for said expansion can and will meet the Principles 1 through 6 inclusive, as adopted by the District’s Board of Directors on April 19, 2000. Specifically, the Draft Planning Report shows that water supply reliability during droughts and water quality will be improved by storing high-quality water in the expanded reservoir during wet periods for use in periods of drought; the Draft Planning Report further shows that enhancements to the Delta aquatic environment will be made through the use of state-of-the-art fish screens and through improving the timing and location of diversions and the management of water for environmental purposes, made possible by the expanded reservoir.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of Contra Costa Water District that the foregoing Recitals are hereby incorporated into and made a part of these determinations by the Board.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby finds and determines that the purposes of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir for a total water storage capacity up to 500,000 acre-feet, as described in the CALFED ROD, are to improve water supply during droughts and water quality for Bay Area water agencies, including the Contra Costa Water District.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby finds and determines that the purposes of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir, as described in the CALFED ROD, also are to provide fisheries benefits, to provide environmental benefits, to enhance the Delta environment and to protect Delta endangered species and aquatic resources; Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby reaffirms its commitments made to the District’s voters in the 1988 Los Vaqueros Project ballot measure that the existing and an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir “shall not be operated in conjunction with a peripheral canal or to increase the export of Delta water from Northern California without subsequent [CCWD] voter approval”;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby finds and determines that the purposes of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir do not include operation of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in conjunction with a peripheral canal or to increase the export of Delta water from Northern California;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board finds and determines that the support of the District for a CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir is dependent upon the CALFED ROD implementation commitment of “beneficiaries pay” and that the costs of any CALFED project for an expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir will be borne equitably by the beneficiaries of said project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board finds and determines that the support of the District for a CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir is dependent upon authorizing federal and/or state legislation that specifically provides for long-term environmental benefits in the Delta as a project purpose. Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that consistent with the District’s Principles for participation adopted by the Board of Directors on April 19, 2000 and recognized in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Programmatic Record of Decision on August 28, 2000, the Board finds and determines that the District will not participate in or support the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir unless the Board determines that the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal meets the following conditions: 1. Improves drinking water quality for CCWD customers beyond that available from the existing Los Vaqueros Project; 2. Improves the reliability of water supplies for CCWD customers during droughts; 3. Enhances Delta habitat and protects endangered Delta fisheries and aquatic resources by installing state-of-the-art fish screens on all new intakes and creating an environmental asset through improved location and timing of Delta diversions and storage of water for environmental purposes; 4. Increases the protected land and managed habitat for terrestrial species in the Los Vaqueros Watershed and the surrounding region; 5. Improves and increases fishing, boating, hiking, and educational opportunities in the Los Vaqueros Watershed, consistent with the protection of water quality and the preservation of the watershed and the watershed’s unique features; 6. CCWD continues as owner and manager of the Los Vaqueros Watershed; 7. CCWD maintains control over recreation in the Los Vaqueros Watershed; 8. CCWD continues as operator of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir system; 9. CCWD will be reimbursed for the value of the existing Los Vaqueros Project assets shared, replaced, rendered unusable or lost with the expansion project and said reimbursement will be used to purchase additional drought supply and water quality benefits or reduce debt on the existing Los Vaqueros Project; 10. Water rates for CCWD customers will not increase as a result of the expansion project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the conditions expressed above regarding implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Resolution No. 03-24 June 25, 2003 Page 12
Vaqueros Reservoir are hereby adopted by the Board of Directors as specific policies of the Contra Costa Water District, and the Board of Directors hereby commits to be bound by said policies in regard to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby finds and declares that the information contained in the CALFED Final PEIS/R, the Draft Project Concept Report and the Draft Planning Report, together with the information contained in the technical memoranda, all of the comments from the public, and all of the responses to the public comments are hereby made a part of the District’s public records concerning consideration of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir for a total water storage capacity up to 500,000 acre-feet.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, under the CALFED ROD, and under the principles adopted by the Board of Directors on April 19, 2000, all subsequent environmental documents required for approvals and permitting will tier off the CALFED Final PEIS/R and will incorporate the full range of environmental impacts described in the Draft Planning Report, and that the full range of environmental impacts, and the specific mitigation measures for these impacts consistent with the programmatic measures of the CALFED ROD, will be disclosed in the environmental documents, and that sound science will be used as part of that process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby finds and determines that, due to the importance of Los Vaqueros Reservoir, water supply during droughts, water quality, Delta water issues, and environmental issues to the Contra Costa Water District, the District should allow its voters to have an opportunity at an election, to be held throughout the District, to advise the Board on whether they concur with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program proposal for expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir,