From the Department of Water Resources:
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as lead agency for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is making available to the public the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Long-Term Operations of the State Water Project (SWP) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay for a 47-day review period beginning May, 29, 2024 and closing July 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Project Description and Purpose: DWR is seeking approval of long-term operations of the SWP facilities in the Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay to continue to provide water supply for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses, along with benefits to the environment in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including contractual obligations. The CEQA project encompasses the Sacramento River from the Feather River confluence to the Delta, waters of the Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay, and the SWP facilities in the Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay. SWP operations will be coordinated with DWR’s implementation of the Voluntary Agreements, an alternative implementation approach for satisfying the revised State Water Resources Control Board’s Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, including flows to satisfy legal obligations under both endangered species laws and the Voluntary Agreements, should the Voluntary Agreements be adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board. Considering other ongoing regulatory processes, the project will provide a framework for future projects involving SWP operations to come online. The Draft EIR evaluates potential impacts associated with long-term operations of the SWP including:
- Updated operating criteria, including operations of SWP facilities in the Delta such as pumps, the Suisun Marsh Salinity Control Gates, and the North Bay Aqueduct.
- Operational measures that may be adopted to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to listed species resulting from SWP long-term operations pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act.
No new infrastructure facilities are included in the proposed project and long-term SWP operations would not change DWR’s water rights or affect the water rights of any other legal user of water.
Where to Review: The Draft EIR is available for public review via the following ways:
- Website: Long-Term Operation of the State Water Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay (ca.gov)
- In-Person:
- DWR Office, 3500 Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691
- Alameda County Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568
- Contra Costa County Library, 1050 Neroly Rd. Oakley, CA 94561
- Sacramento County Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
- San Joaquin County Library,605 N. El Dorado St., Stockton, CA 95202
- Solano County Library,601 Pintail Dr., Suisun City, CA 94585
- Sutter County Library, 750 Forbes Ave., Yuba City, CA 95991
- Yolo County Library, Central Library, 315 E. 14th Street, Davis, CA, 95616
- References cited in the Draft EIR are available for review at DWR’s office at 3500 Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691 and upon request. Please send requests by email to SWPDeltaOps@water.ca.gov.
During the public review period, written comments on the Draft EIR may be submitted via:
- Mail to Chris Wilkinson, Environmental Program Manager, Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
- Email to SWPDeltaOps@water.ca.gov
- A virtual public hearing (see below)
Virtual Public Hearing
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84375333147
Passcode: 320116
Call-in number: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 843 7533 3147
To request the virtual public hearing be translated into Spanish, please email your request to SWPDeltaOps@water.ca.gov no later than June 7, 2024.
All substantive comments received on the Draft EIR during the public review period will be responded to in the Final EIR, and all comments will be considered in the decision-making process. No final decision will be made in the Draft EIR regarding going forward with the Long-term Operations of the SWP Project or in selecting an alternative; those decisions will only occur after completion of the CEQA decision-making process.
Anticipated Impacts: The Draft EIR analyzed the following environmental resources in detail: Surface Water Hydrology; Surface Water Quality; Aquatic Biological Resources; Tribal Cultural Resources; Environmental Justice; Climate Change Resiliency and Adaptation; Growth Inducement; and Cumulative Effects. There are no significant environmental effects anticipated on environmental resources analyzed in the Draft EIR.
Hazardous Waste Sites: Hazardous waste sites in the project area are located in major urban centers such as Sacramento, Stockton, Tracy and throughout the Bay Area. The project would not have any potential impacts on hazards and hazardous materials.
