News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Record of Decision for the South Coast Conduit/Upper Reach Reliability Project

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, (916) 978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: May 25, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation has issued the Record of Decision for the South Coast Conduit/Upper Reach Reliability Project which involves construction of a second pipeline with appurtenant facilities that roughly parallel the existing South Coast Conduit from the South Portal of Tecolote Tunnel to the Corona Del Mar Water Treatment Plant in Santa Barbara County, California. 

The Record of Decisions (ROD) documents Reclamation's decision to issue a specific permit for additions or alterations to Reclamation-owned conveyance and distribution facilities.  The ROD also documents the issuance of an easement authorizing pipeline construction, and operation and maintenance, within Reclamation rights-of-way to the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB).

The purpose of adding a second pipeline is to increase operational flexibility, reliability, and conveyance capacity, as well as provide COMB the ability to perform regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance to one pipeline while the second pipeline remains operational.  COMB intends to start construction beginning in November 2011.

Other federal and state agencies are involved in various permits required to construct and operate a project of this magnitude, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the California Department of Fish and Game.  COMB intends to begin construction this fall, consistent with permit requirements and the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (an attachment to the ROD).

The ROD may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=3368.  For a copy of the ROD or for questions, please contact Rain Healer, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA  93720, rhealer@usbr.gov, 559-487-5196 or Kate Rees, General Manager, COMB, at 805-687-4011, krees@cachuma-board.org. 

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