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- San Joaquin River Restoration Program: Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Low Flow Channel and Structural Improvements Project Public Scoping Meetings
News Release Archive
San Joaquin River Restoration Program: Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Low Flow Channel and Structural Improvements Project Public Scoping Meetings
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 09/09/2009 22:26
For Release: September 09, 2009
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| MP-09-118 | |
For Release On: September 9, 2009 | |
| Media Contacts: | |
| Reclamation: | Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov |
| DWR: | Ted Thomas, 916-653-9712, tthomas@water.ca.gov |
The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) are proposing to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to evaluate effects of the proposed Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Low Flow Channel and Structural Improvements Project (Project) under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP). The Project is a component of the San Joaquin River Settlement (October 2006) and is located in Merced County.
The Project includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of a low flow channel in Reach 4B of the San Joaquin River and in the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses and improvements to facilities in the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses to allow for fish passage. The purpose of the Project is to comply with the San Joaquin River Settlement by improving conveyance capacity in Reach 4B of the San Joaquin River to ensure conveyance of at least 475 cubic feet per second (cfs), modifying the Eastside and Mariposa Bypass channels to establish a low flow channel, and modifying structures in the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses to provide for fish passage.
There will be a 30-day scoping comment period for the Project from Wednesday, September 9, through close of business Friday, October 9, 2009. The purpose of public scoping is to solicit comments from interested stakeholders to assist in determining the scope of the EIS/EIR, including the alternatives to be addressed, and to identify any significant environmental issues related to the Proposed Action. Two public scoping meetings will be held to solicit public input on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The two scoping meeting dates are:
Los Banos | Merced |
Wednesday September 23, 2009, 6-8 p.m. Miller & Lux Building, 830 6th Street | Thursday September 24, 2009, 6-8 p.m. Merced Fairgrounds Rock House Facility, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way |
Written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR and Project may be submitted at the meetings or by close of business Friday, October 9, 2009, via the following: mail to Ms. Margaret Gidding, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA 95825; fax to 916-978-5469; or e-mail to Reach4B@restoresjr.net.
Comments may also be submitted to Mr. Kevin Faulkenberry, Department of Water Resources, San Joaquin District, 3374 E. Shields Ave, Fresno, CA 93726, or e-mail to faulkenb@water.ca.gov.
The Settlement stipulates channel modifications be made in Reach 4B to ensure conveyance of at least 475 cfs. Based on preliminary information, these modifications may consist of removing in-channel vegetation, removing excess silt and sediment, and improving road crossings; however, additional analysis is needed to verify the current information. The Settlement also stipulates modifications to the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses to establish a low flow channel and modifications to structures in the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses to provide for fish passage. Modifications, such as channel widening, narrowing, or reshaping, may be needed to allow for fish passage under low flows in the Eastside and Mariposa Bypasses. Both the Mariposa Bypass Bifurcation Structure at the head of the Mariposa Bypass and the Mariposa Bypass Drop Structure at the downstream end of the Mariposa Bypass may need to be modified to provide for fish passage under a range of flows. Modifications could include modifications to the existing structures, construction of fish ladders, or replacement of the existing structures with new structures.
Because the functions of these channels are interrelated, the design, environmental compliance, and construction are being addressed as one project. The planning and environmental review is authorized under Section 3406(c)(1) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Title 34 of Public Law 102-575) and the San Joaquin River Restoration Act (SJRRA)(included in Public Law 111-11). Construction of the Proposed Action is authorized under the SJRRA.
To learn more about the SJRRP, visit www.restoresjr.net.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Visit our website at http://www.water.ca.gov.
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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.
