NOI to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the San Joaquin Field Division Liner Raise and Instrumentation Project
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a draft Initial Study (IS) and intends to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed San Joaquin Field Division Liner Raise and Instrumentation Project (proposed project). The draft IS and proposed MND have been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act to provide agencies, the public, and interested parties an opportunity to review the environmental analysis for the proposed project.
The proposed project is located at Pools 24 and 25 of the California Aqueduct, specifically in Kings and Kern Counties between Aqueduct milepost (MP) 175.16 and MP 213.00. The northernmost site, MP 175.16, Pool 22, is approximately 2 miles southwest of the town of Kettleman City. The southernmost site, MP 213.00, Pool 25, is approximately 8 miles southwest of the town of Lost Hills.
Subsidence has caused reduced flow capacity in Pools 24 and 25 of the California Aqueduct that is limiting the ability to deliver water to Southern California. The proposed project would raise portions of the concrete liner on each side of Pools 24 and 25 over 1.65 miles and would also involve the installation of water level monitoring instrumentation to provide real time monitoring of flow and water levels in Pools 22 and 25.
The IS provides an assessment of the proposed project’s potential significant adverse impacts on the environment. The IS concludes the proposed project would not have any significant adverse effects on the environment after implementation of mitigation measures.
The Initial Study is being circulated for public review and comment for the period of 30 days May 15, 2020 and ending June 14, 2020. Written comments should be submitted and received no later than close of business on June 14, 2020.
Written comments should be submitted to Stephanie Breeden at the following mailing address.
Stephanie Breeden
Senior Managing Associate
ESA | Environmental Science Association
550 West C Street, Suite 750
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone (619) 719-4220 (Main)
E-mail: sbreeden@esassoc.com
Copies of the IS and proposed MND are availble at:
https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Engineering-And-Construction/Subsidence/LinerRaiseProject
Hardcopies of the IS have been delivered to Kettleman City Branch Library, 104 Becky Pease St., Kettleman City CA 93239 and Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield CA 93301.
In order to comply with COVID-19 social distancing requirements, in the event of the libraries’ closure, hard copies will be made available upon request. Please contact Stephanie Breeden at sbreeden@esassoc.com or 619.719.4220 for any questions or for distribution of a hard copy of the IS.