Press Releases

WHO:

The US Army Corps of Engineers (NEPA lead) and California Department of Water Resources Division (DWR) of Safety of Dams (CEQA lead) are holding a public scoping meeting for the San Clemente Dam Seismic Retrofit Project.

DWR prepared and circulated a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) addressing dam strengthening under the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) in 1998. A Recirculated Draft EIR (RDEIR) was issued in 2000. Comments received on the RDEIR from agencies, the public and others requested that dam removal be considered as an alternative. Significant additional studies were conducted in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to evaluate sediment removal options associated with a range of alternatives. In the intervening years the remaining reservoir capacity has continued to fill with sediment. In 2003, DSOD required modifications to the dam to meet interim dam safety requirements.

As part of the San Clemente Dam seismic retrofit project, California American Water has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for authorization to deposit approximately 3,200 cubic yards of fill material into wetlands and other waters of the U.S. This application is being processed under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and in accordance with the National Environment Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In accordance with NEPA, the USACE has determined that the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment and therefore requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A combined EIS/EIR will be prepared with the USACE as Federal lead agency and the California Department of Water Resources, San Joaquin District (DWR) as the State lead agency. The basic purpose of the proposed actions is to provide Dam safety. The overall project purpose is to have San Clemente Dam meet current standards for withstanding a Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) and the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) while providing fish passage at the Dam; maintaining a point of diversion to support existing water supply facilities, water rights and services; and minimizing impacts on rate payers.

WHAT:

San Clemente Seismic Retrofit Project

FORMAT:

There will be a short presentation followed public participation at various stations moderated by project and agency staff.

WHEN:

Thursday, November 4, 2004, 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE:

Rancho Canada Golf Club, Fiesta Room #2, 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley

MORE
INFO:

For those community members interested in the project, but are unable to attend and would like to submit questions or comments please visit the project website at www.san-clemente-dam-safety.com or mail comments to: San Clemente Dam Seismic Retrofit Project EIS/EIR, c/o ENTRIX, Inc., 7919 Folsom Boulevard, Suite 100, Sacramento CA 95826. All comments must be received by November 30, 2004, to be incorporated into environmental studies.