[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37865-37866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18676]
[[Page 37865]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Availability of the Joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Santa Fe and Whittier
Narrows Dams Water Conservation and Supply Study, Los Angeles County,
California
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Los Angeles District,
DOD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a joint DEIS/EIR
and Feasibility Report with the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works (LACDPW) for the Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows Dams Water
Conservation and Supply Study, in Los Angeles County, California. Santa
Fe and Whittier Narrows Dams are two of the five Federal flood control
dams in the Los Angeles County Drainage Area. Santa Fe Dam is located
in the northeastern San Gabriel Valley on the San Gabriel River about
four miles below the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon. Bordering communities
include Irwindale, Baldwin Park, Duarte, and Azusa. Whittier Narrows
Dam is located approximately seven miles downstream of Santa Fe Dam and
spans both the San Gabriel River and the Rio Hondo. Flood control is
the primary purpose for both dams. A water conservation pool has been
authorized at Whittier Narrows Dam at elevation 201.6 feet. No water
conservation pool currently exists at Santa Fe Dam. Both dams also
include extensive recreational facilities and wildlife management or
nature study areas. The proposed action considered in this DEIS/EIR
involves the temporary storage of water in the reservoirs at Santa Fe
and Whittier Narrows Dams after the main flood season has passed during
the flood season when flood forecasting predicts that there would be no
reasonable expectation of additional rainfall at the end of a storm.
The stored water would be released at a slower rate to recharge for
spreading basins associated with each dam. The proposed water
conservation project would not reduce the effectiveness of either dam
to provide flood protection.
The preferred alternative at Santa Fe Dam would establish a buffer
pool and seasonal pool at elevation 463.0 feet. Historic records
indicate that inundation to elevation 463.0 feet is frequent enough to
provide substantial water yields for cost-effective downstream ground
water discharge. An interior levee would be constructed to protect
recreation and Wildlife Management areas from inundation. The bottom of
the levee would be at elevation 446.8 feet nearest the toe of the dam,
and the top of the levee would be at elevation 466.0 feet. The top of
the levee would be armored to eliminate the need for overtopping
protection. The average annual water yield increase for this
alternative is estimated at 2,400 acre feet (AF).
The preferred alternative at Whittier Narrows Dam would use the
existing 201.6-foot elevation water conservation pool for water
conservation whenever significant amounts of water are available and
not precluded by other constraints. In addition, a buffer pool and
seasonal pool would be established at elevation 209 feet. Protective
measures for motors at the water reclamation plant and mitigation for
18 oil wells would be included. Approximately 951 feet (331 Meters) of
Durfee Road would need to be raised to elevation 212 feet, which
includes three feet for overtopping protection, to maintain traffic
flow when water is stored at the maximum seasonal or buffer pool
elevation. The average annual water yield increase for this alternative
is estimated at 3,500 AF.
Anticipated significant environmental impacts include loss of
alluvial scrub habitat at Santa Fe Dam and increased sedimentation at
Whittier Narrows Dam. These impacts would be mitigated. No significant
environmental health effects are expected to occur.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For further information on the Draft Feasibility Report, please contact
Ms. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District,
Attn: CESPL-PD-WA, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-
2325, telephone (213) 452-3798. For further information on the Draft
EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-2325,
telephone (213) 452-3869.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a
Draft EIS/EIR to assess the environmental effects associated with the
proposed water conservation and supply at Santa Fe and Whittier Narrows
Dams. The public will have the opportunity to comment on this Draft
EIS/EIR before any action is taken to implement the proposed plan.
The Army Corps of Engineers conducted a scoping meeting prior to
preparing the in the city of El Monte Draft EIS/EIR to aid in
determining the significant environmental issues associated with the
proposed action. The meeting was held in the city of El Monte,
California, on March 23, 1995.
The Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a public hearing to
receive comments on the Draft EIS/EIR in conjunction with the public
meeting to present the Feasibility Report. The public hearing and
meeting will take place at the El Monte Community Center, 3130 Tyler
Avenue, El Monte, California, on August 12, 1998 from 7:00 PM to 9:00
PM. The location, date, and time of the public hearing and meeting will
also be announced in the local media, and separate notice will be sent
to all parties on the project mailing list.
Individuals and agencies may present oral or written comments
relevant to the Draft EIS/EIR by attending the public hearing or by
mailing comments to the Corps prior to August 28, 1998. Comments,
suggestions, and requests to be placed on the mailing list for
announcements should be sent to Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325.
Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR: Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are
availability for review at the following locations:
Baldwin Park Community Library, 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park,
California
Pico Rivera Community Library, 9001 Mines Avenue, Pico Rivera,
California
El Monte Community Library, 3224 Tyler Avenue, El Monte, California
Norwood Public Library, 4550 N Peck Road, EL Monte, California
South El Monte Community Library, 1430 N. Central Avenue, South El
Monte, California
Duarte Community Library, 1301 Buena Vista Street, Duarte, California
South Whittier Community Library, 14433 Leffingwell Road, Whittier,
California
Azusa City Library, 729 N. Dalton Avenue, Azusa, California
Irwindale Public Library, 5050 North Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale,
California
West Covina Public Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina,
California
Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library, 630 W 5th Street, Los
Angeles, California
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Environmental
Resources Branch, 911 Wilshire Boulevard, 14th Floor, Los Angeles,
California
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Planning Division, 900
South Fremont Avenue, 11th Floor, Alhambra, California
[[Page 37866]]
To obtain a copy of the Draft EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. Deborah
Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-
PD-WA, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California, 90053-2325, telephone
(213) 452-3798. Please address written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR,
to Ms. Lois Goodman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles
District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California,
90053-2325, Fax number (213) 452-4204.
Dated: July 7, 1998.
Robert L. Davis,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 98-18676 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
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