Notice of Availability of DEIR for Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project
INTRODUCTION
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Guidelines for the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project (Proposed Project). The DEIR describes the Proposed Project and evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Project.
The Draft EIR was released for public review on December 16, 2019. The Draft EIR will be available for review at libraries, DWR’s Division of Environmental Services, and on the DWR project website, as listed in this notice. Comments on the Draft EIR will be received for a 60-day period, commencing on December 16, 2019 and ending on February 14, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., after which a final EIR will be prepared containing the Draft EIR and responses to comments received.
DWR has issued this Notice of Availability to provide responsible agencies, trustee agencies, and other interested parties with information on how to access and comment on the Draft EIR.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Proposed Project is designed to be a multi-benefit project to restore approximately 3,100 acres of tidal marsh, increase flood storage and conveyance in the Yolo Bypass, increase levee resilience, and decrease flood risk. Habitat restoration and flood improvement goals would be attained by excavating a network of tidal channels, constructing a new setback levee along Duck Slough, breaching and degrading the Shag Slough (Yolo Bypass West) Levee, breaching the Vogel Levee, and improving the Cache/Hass Slough Levee to function as a training levee.
PROJECT LOCATION
The Proposed Project Site is a 15-parcel, approximately 3,400-acre area located in unincorporated Solano County, California, near the border with Yolo County. It is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Sacramento and 50 miles northeast of San Francisco, within the Liberty Island United States Geologic Service 7.5-minute quadrangle. The Proposed Project Site is bordered on the northwest by Duck Slough, the southwest by Cache and Hass Sloughs, the east by Shag Slough, and the north by Liberty Island Road.
PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT EIR
The Draft EIR is being circulated for review and comment by appropriate agencies, organizations, individuals who have requested notification, and other interested parties. The Draft EIR was made available for public review and comment on December 16, 2019. The public review and comment period will extend for 60 days from this date, ending on February 14, 2020 at 5:00 pm. All public comments received during this time will become part of the public record; comments and responses to comments will become part of the Final EIR.
Accessing the Draft EIR
A physical copy of the Draft EIR is available for review at the DWR Division of Environmental Services office located at 3500 Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691. Digital copies of the DEIR are available on the DWR website under the “Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project” header at: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Environmental-Services/Restoration-Mitigation-Compliance/Delta-Projects
Appendices can be obtained by request to the project email: FRPA@water.ca.gov
Physical copies of the Draft EIR can also be viewed during the 60-day public review period at the following library locations:
| Library Name | Address | City, State | Zip Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon Public Library | 230 North First St. | Dixon, CA | 95620 | |
| Mary L. Stephens Branch Library | 315 E 14th St. | Davis, CA | 95616 | |
| Rio Vista Library | 44 South Second St. | Rio Vista, CA | 94571 | |
| Vacaville Public Library | 1 Town Sq. | Vacaville, CA | 95688 |
Public Meeting
Within the 60-day public review period, a public meeting will be held to discuss the Proposed Project and Draft EIR with all interested parties.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Olde Vets Hall
231 N. First Street Dixon, CA 95620
The public meeting will include a brief presentation about the Proposed Project, the process for submitting public comments, an informational poster session providing attendees with the opportunity to focus on topics of interest and ask questions to project staff, and dedicated time to hear public comment on the DEIR.
Written Comments
Agencies, organizations, and interested parties have the opportunity to provide written comments on the Draft EIR throughout the 60‐day public review period. Submittal of comments electronically in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format is encouraged.
Written comments on this Draft EIR should be addressed to:
Subject: Lookout Slough Public Comment
or
California Department of Water Resources
Attn: Heather Green
3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento, CA 95691
Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on February 14, 2020