NOP and Public Scoping Meetings for the Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project
Notice is hereby given that the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project.
COMMENT PERIOD: June 13, 2023 – July 28, 2023
PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
Virtual Scoping Meetings:
June 26, 2023 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Meeting link: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/j/82221394870?pwd=S3RRN250aHNIN3Rxc2JFSUNDNkxBZz09
Dial-in Number: 1-636-651-3141 Meeting ID: 459931
June 29, 2023 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Meeting link: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/j/81660832719?pwd=Zm5ZbnVoU0JQSXQvc3dDVnBIMnptUT09
Dial-in Number: 1-636-651-3141 Meeting ID: 459931
In-Person Scoping Meeting:
July 11, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Rio Vista Veterans Memorial Hall
610 St. Francis Way, Rio Vista, CA
DWR is the Lead Agency under CEQA and will prepare an EIR for the Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project (proposed Project). Written comments regarding the issues that should be addressed in the EIR, including potential alternatives to the proposed Project and the scope of the analysis, are invited.
The Proposed Project is located at the southern end of the Yolo Bypass, immediately upstream of the city of Rio Vista, in Solano County, California. The site includes State Plan of Flood Control Levees maintained by Reclamation District 536 on the west and Solano County Water Agency on the south (Mellin Levee), farm berms and levees on the southwest, and a restricted-height levee maintained by Reclamation District 2084 on the north and east. The site is located downstream of the confluence of Lindsey Slough, Prospect Slough, Cache Slough, and the Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel; referred to as the Cache Slough Complex. Near the south end of the site, Cache Slough combines with the Sacramento River and Steamboat Slough. Highway 84 and the Cache Slough “Real McCoy” Ferry landing are also located at the southern end of the project area.
Elements of the proposed Project could include:
- Degrade portions of the existing restricted-height (eastern/outboard) levee along Cache Slough and construct inflow and outflow openings along Cache Slough to connect the floodplain and improve conveyance during flood events.
- Improve and/or repair existing State Plan of Flood Control levees, and other local infrastructure and flood features to accommodate increased on-site flows.
- Grade and place fill material to construct subtidal swales and habitat berms, to provide rearing habitat for fisheries and establish native habitats.
- Revegetate with native trees, shrubs, and marsh plant species to restore and enhance upland, tidal, subtidal, and floodplain habitat.
- Provide new or enhanced opportunities for recreation consistent with flood protection and habitat restoration goals.
DWR has issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform trustee agencies, responsible agencies, the Office of Planning and Research, Native American Tribes, and the public that an EIR is being prepared for the proposed Project. The NOP provides further information describing the proposed Project and its potential environmental effects to those who may wish to comment regarding the scope and content of the information to be included in the EIR.
The EIR will evaluate potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed Project, on both a direct, indirect, and cumulative basis; identify feasible mitigation measures that may lessen or avoid such impacts; and identify alternatives that may lessen one or more potentially significant impacts associated with the proposed Project.
The NOP is available for download.
Written or oral comments may be submitted at the public scoping meetings, or written comments may be directed to:
By mail to:
California Department of Water Resources, c/o Lori Price P.O. Box 942836 Sacramento, CA 94236-0001 with the letter subject heading “RE: Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project NOP”
Via email to:
littleegbertmbp@water.ca.gov with the subject heading “RE: Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project NOP”