BLM seeks public input for Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility Project environmental analysis
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility in Riverside County. Publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register initiates a 30-day public scoping period that will end on Monday, Dec. 26.
The project supports the Interior Secretary’s priority, “Sustainably develop our energy and natural resources,” and Presidential Memorandum, “Promoting Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West.” The proposed project also addresses California’s need for dependable water sources for the densely populated areas in and around Palm Springs.
Coachella Valley Water District has requested a right-of-way authorization for its existing Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility with a maximum capacity of 511,000-acre feet per year, on 690 acres of BLM-managed public lands. No new construction is proposed. The project site is located within the California Desert Conservation Area. The BLM will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the site-specific impacts of the proposed right-of-way grant.
A public meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 5, at University of Riverside-Palm Desert, Room B114/B117, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert.
Public input and written comments will help the BLM determine the size and scope of analysis needed, additional issues to study, and other considerations in the analysis of the proposed action. The BLM will use the comments to prepare the draft EIS that will be available for public review. The EIS will analyze the site-specific impacts on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, water resources and other relevant issues.
The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act review. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Desert Water Agency, and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians are cooperating agencies in this review. The BLM will issue a Record of Decision after considering whether to grant the right-of-way across public lands for the existing facility and additional lands.
Written comments may be submitted through email at blm_ca_whitewaterrecharge@blm.gov, via hand-delivery, or by mail to ATTN: Whitewater Replenishment Facility Project, Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs CA 92262.
Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While someone may ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For more information, visit the ePlanning project website at https://tinyurl.com/yyp49jrx, or contact BLM project manager Miriam Liberatore at 541-618-2412.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.