August 27, 2008 -- The Bureau of Reclamation and Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the San Luis Low Point Improvement Project (SLLPIP). 

Reclamation uses San Luis Reservoir to store water in the wet season and to meet delivery schedules in the dry season.  Algae occurs naturally near the surface of reservoirs, and when reservoir levels are high, water is pumped from well below the surface of the reservoir, thus avoiding the algae blooms.  As water is released to meet contract requirements, reservoir levels decline, and the surface of the reservoir moves closer to the level of the pumps.  At approximately 369 feet above sea-level (300,000 acre-feet of storage ) water begins to be pumped  from near the surface of the reservoir where algae blooms occur, causing water to taste bad and requiring additional water treatment for municipal uses.

This "low point" issue affects the ability to provide reliable high-quality water supplies and deliveries from San Luis Reservoir to south-of-Delta contractors.  In addition, maintaining water levels to avoid low point issues would limit available supplies.  Fixing the San Luis low point issue would improve water quality.  A Draft EIS/EIR is expected to be available in winter 2009/2010.

A Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS/EIR will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, August 29, 2008.  Three public scoping meetings are being held to solicit public input on the development of the EIS/EIR, including anticipated resources, alternatives, and significant concerns and issues.  Participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with the study team. The Open House meetings are scheduled as follows:

San Jose - Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., San Jose Public Library Rose Garden Branch,
1580 Naglee Ave

Sacramento - Thursday, September 11, 2008, 10 a.m. - Noon, Federal Building, 2800 Cottage Way, Room C-1001

Los Banos - Thursday, September 11, 2008, 6 - 8 p.m., Miller and Lux Building, 830 Sixth Street

Attendees are welcome to arrive at any time during the Open House hours and visit with Reclamation staff positioned at several booths where they will be able to ask questions and provide comments.  Written comments on the scope of the Draft EIS/EIR may be provided at the Open House or should be received by close of business Wednesday, October 15, 2008, and should be sent to:

Mr. Louis Moore
Bureau of Reclamation
2800 Cottage Way, MP-140
Sacramento, CA  95825-1898

or e-mailed to wmoore@mp.usbr.gov,

or faxed to 916-978-5114. 

For additional information, please contact Mr. Duane Stroup, Project Manager, at 916-978-5075 or e-mail dstroup@mp.usbr.gov.