News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces 'Finding of No Significant Impact for Cahuilla II Reservoir Project is Available

Media Contact: Jack Simes, 928-343-8334, 11/15/2006 14:26

For Release: November 15, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) today released a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment for the proposed/planned Cahuilla II Reservoir Project.

The FONSI is Reclamation's decision document for the issuance of permits and rights of use related to the planned project in the Coachella Valley area of California. The project would involve the construction of a twelve (12) million-gallon reservoir, access road and transmission pipeline infrastructure. It is intended to increase water storage capacity to meet demand generated by existing and approved developments in the project vicinity.

The project planning area includes city and unincorporated county lands located in the southern portion of the City of La Quinta, and encompasses the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains and an alluvial fan complex located approximately one-half mile north of Lake Cahuilla. Portions of the project access road and transmission pipeline cross federal lands managed by Reclamation.

Reclamation's proposed action is to issue permits and rights of use for access across lands under its jurisdiction. The project applicants - the Coachella Valley Water District and Shea Homes for Active Adults - prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA)/Mitigated Negative Declaration to evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with the entire project. Reclamation reviewed the EA and adopted the analysis related to its discretionary actions associated with the project.

The Finding of No Significant Impact is available on Reclamation's www.usbr.gov/lc/yuma Internet page. The EA and associated documents are available by request to Ms. Dedina Williams, at (928) 343-8139 or dwilliams@lc.usbr.gov.

Comments will be accepted for 30 days after the publication of this notice.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.