Scope of Draft SEIS
The Draft SEIS is limited in scope. Reclamation is releasing the SEIS to:
- Provide information relevant to the application of Section 404(r) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the SLWRI to satisfy the CWA 404, 402 and 401 project permit requirements.
- Respond to issues identified by USACE and EPA on the 2015 SLWRI FEIS.
- USACE and EPA are cooperating agencies under NEPA to the Draft SEIS.
- Update operations and modeling for CP-4A to the latest regulatory requirements.
- Update information included in the 2015 SLWRI FEIS that is relevant to environmental concerns, specifically in regard to the McCloud River impacts.
Information related to the Application of 404(r) includes:
- Updated description of the discharges to wetlands and other Waters of the United States (WOTUS) resulting from the relocations of infrastructure and recreation structures.
- Infrastructure includes bridges and roadways impacted by the increased reservoir levels. Recreation structures include campgrounds, boat launches, and concession stands.
- A programmatic approach to conducting alternatives analyses and the determination of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practical Alternative for relocation activities to minimize impacts to wetlands and other WOTUS.
- Outline of a compensatory wetland mitigation plan.
Responses to issues identified by USACE and EPA include:
- Responses to comments that the USACE and EPA made on the EIS that were not adequately addressed.
Updates to operations and benefits modeling for CP-4A include:
- The 2020 Draft SEIS has been updated with the 2019 Biological Opinion and the 2018 Coordinated Operation Agreement. The 2015 SLWRI EIS was based on the 2008/2009 Biological Opinion and the 1986 Coordinated Operation Agreement.
Updates related to McCloud River Environmental Concerns include:
- Clarified the status of the McCloud River in relation to Federal Wild & Scenic Rivers Act as a Wild and Scenic River.
- Clarified the associated wild and scenic river values.
- Clarified the impacts to the McCloud river.
← Station 4. Historical Context and Alternatives | Station 6. Draft SEIS Key Points →