News Release Archive

Final EIS/EIR Released for the Folsom Dam Safety and Flood Damage Reduction Action

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 03/30/2007 15:10

For Release: March 30, 2007

Federal Clean Air Act Conformity Analysis
Federal Clean Air Act Conformity Analysis

Media Contacts: 
Bureau of Reclamation:  Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov        
Department of Water Resources:  Don Strickland, 916-653-9515, donalds@water.ca.gov  
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:  Jennifer Mijares, 916-557-5101, Jennifer.L.Mijares@spk01.usace.army.mil  
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency:  Stein Buer, 916-874-7606, buers@saccounty.net

The Folsom Dam Safety (DS) and Flood Damage Reduction (FDR) Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) is available for public review.  The Folsom DS/FDR Final EIS/EIR was developed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the Bureau of Reclamation, the lead Federal agency; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), a cooperating Federal agency; the Reclamation Board, the lead State agency; and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), the local sponsor (the partner agencies).

The Folsom DS/FDR Final EIS/EIR discusses the project background, purpose and need, project description, and related projects.  Responses to all comments received from interested individuals and organizations on the Draft EIS/EIR during the public review period and at the public hearings are addressed in the Final EIS/EIR.  The Folsom DS/FDR proposed action being considered by the partner agencies is the alternative that includes:

  • The Joint Federal Project (JFP) auxiliary spillway with a control structure with six submerged tainter gates and concrete-lined chute, stilling basin, and approach channel

  • A 3.5-foot raise and replacement of three emergency spillway gates for FDR

  • DS features that include jet-grouting the foundation of Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam (MIAD) for seismic stability; toe drains and full-height filters at the Left and Right Wing Dams, MIAD, and Dikes 4, 5, and 6 to address static risks (leakage through earthen dams and dikes)

  • Security upgrades at Folsom Dam and Appurtenant Structures (the Folsom Facility).

Based on comments received on the Draft EIS/EIR, the partner agencies have revised the preferred alternative to significantly reduce impacts to recreational and cultural resources.  The proposed project revisions will also reduce impacts to vegetation, wildlife, and noise.  Measures are identified to avoid, reduce, or mitigate any significant adverse project effects on air quality, water quality, soils, visual resources, noise, transportation, terrestrial vegetation and wildlife, cultural resources, and recreation.
 
The Corps intends to adopt the Final EIS/EIR to satisfy NEPA requirements for the FDR features of the proposed action to be accomplished under their Folsom Dam Modifications and FDR Projects.  The Corps Final Post Authorization Change (PAC) Report documents recommended changes to these two authorized projects.  For copies of the Final PAC Report, please contact Mrs. Becky Victorine at 916-557-5162.

For a CD or bound copy of the Folsom DS/FDR Final EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. Rosemary Stefani, Reclamation, at 916-978-5309 or e-mail rstefani@mp.usbr.gov.  The Final EIS/EIR may also be viewed online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=1808.  Information on the Folsom Dam JFP may be viewed online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/jfp/index.html.  If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

The air quality general conformity analysis documenting demonstration of project conformity with the Federal Clean Air Act is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=1808 or by contacting Ms. Stefani at 916-978-5309 or rstefani@mp.usbr.gov.    

In accordance with NEPA, the public may submit comments on the Final EIS/EIR for 30 days.  The State Reclamation Board will complete their CEQA Findings on the Final EIS/EIR.  No decision will be made on the proposed action for at least 30 days, after which time Reclamation and the Corps will complete their respective Records of Decision (ROD) for the JFP, DS, and FDR objectives.  The RODs and CEQA Findings will identify the recommended action to be implemented, including any measures found necessary to avoid, reduce, or mitigate any significant adverse project effects.

Comments should be submitted by Monday, April 30, 2007, to Mr. Shawn Oliver, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630 or soliver@mp.usbr.gov and Mrs. Becky Victorine, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or rebecca.a.victorine@usace.army.mil.  

For further information, please contact Mr. Oliver at 916-989-7256, TDD 916-978-5608, or soliver@mp.usbr.gov; or Mrs. Victorine at 916-557-5162 or rebecca.a.victorine@usace.army.mil.

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Relevant Link:

Final EIS/EIR

Folsom Dam JFP