HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotices regarding M&T Ranch and Llano Seco Rancho short term protection project BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DEC 2 3 2013
I�ZONE CONY
Many SolutiMPA "muAcAuFoRtiA Transmittal
To: Interested Parties, Agencies, and Organizations
From: Dianne Simodynes, HDR Engineering, Inc.
On behalf of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Project: M&T Chico Ranch / Llano Seco Rancho Fish Screen Facility Short-term
Protection Project
Date: December 16, 2013
Subject: Notice of Availability / Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative
Declaration / Notice of Public Meeting
Please find enclosed a Notice of Availability / Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated
Negative Declaration / Notice of Public Meeting for the M&T Chico Ranch / Llano Seco
Rancho Fish Screen Facility Short-Term Protection Project. You are receiving this
notice because you, or your agency/organization, have been identified as a potentially
interested party for the proposed project.
As discussed in the enclosed notice, the Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study,
Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact, and Proposed Mitigated Negative
Declaration will be available for a 45-day public review period beginning on Wednesday,
December 18, 2013. Written comments on the document should be received at the
address indicated in the enclosed notice no later than Friday, January 31, 2014.
Thank you for your continued interest in the proposed project.
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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY/NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION/NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
M&T Chico Ranch/Llano Seco Rancho Fish Screen Facility Short-term Protection Project
Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study, Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact,
and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
announce the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study (EMS), Proposed Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the M&T
Chico Ranch/Llano Seco Rancho Fish Screen Facility Short-term Protection Project. These documents
have been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) and the California
Environmental Quality Act(CEQA).
Project Location and Description
The Proposed Project involves implementation of interim measures to protect and maintain the viability
of the M&T Chico Ranch/Llano Seco Rancho fish screen and pumping facility (M&T/Llano Seco Pumps
Facility), located on the Sacramento River at approximately River Mile 192.5. These measures include:
(I) implementation of up to two additional maintenance dredging operations; (2) a time extension for the
temporary rock-toe and tree revetment to remain in place on the USFWS Capay Unit of the SRNWR, and
what is now The Nature Conservancy (TNC) fee title property immediately south of the Capay Unit until
a long-term solution is developed and completed; and (3) ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the
revetment, which would extend until a long-term solution is developed and completed. Implementation of
these measures, in concert, are intended to sustain the viability of the M&T/Llano Seco Pumps Facility,
including meeting existing fish screen criteria, and water supply and delivery responsibilities, as well as
to maintain the viability of a range of alternatives under consideration for a long-term solution.
USFWS and CDFW have determined that the project will not have a significant impact on the
environment based upon the EA/IS. A proposed FONSI and a proposed MND have been prepared in
accordance with these findings. No final decision on the FONSI or the MND will be made by the Lead
Agencies until after the public review period is completed and comments are considered.
Document Review and Availability
The Draft EMS, Proposed FONSI, and Proposed MND will be available for a 45-day public review
period beginning on December 18, 2013. Written comments on the document should be received at the
address shown below no later than January 31,2014.
As part of the NEPA/CEQA process, a public meeting also will be held to provide interested parties with
an opportunity to provide verbal or written comments on the Draft EA/IS. Information regarding the
public meeting is provided below.
DATE: January 10, 2014
TIMES: Afternoon Session—2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Evening Session—7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 West East Avenue, Chico, CA
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Comments submitted during the public review period will be considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife prior to approval of the project and will be used
informing the process and final decision on issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact and Mitigated
Negative Declaration under NEPA and CEQA.
Electronic copies of the Draft EA/IS,Proposed FONSI, and Proposed MND are available at the following
websites:
❑ Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum Website— http://www.sacramentoriver.org/srcaf
❑ Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Website—http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Sacramento River/
Hardcopies of the Draft EA/IS, Proposed FONSI, and Proposed MND are available for public review at
the following locations:
❑ California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A, Rancho Cordova, CA
95670
❑ United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County
Road 99W Willows, California 95988
❑ Butte County Library, Chico Branch, 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, California 95926
❑ Willows Library,201 N Lassen Street, Willows, California 95988
Under the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, CDFW and USFWS will provide documentation in
alternate formats to individuals with disabilities. To obtain such services, please contact Tina Johnson,
CDFW Public Information Officer, at 916-651-1214.
Written comments may be mailed to:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Attention Ms. Katherine Hill
1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Attention Mr. Daniel W. Frisk
752 County Road 99 W
Willows, CA 95988
Comments may also be submitted electronically to: M&TLlanoSecoProject@hdrinc.com
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