Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental
Impact Statement (Draft EIR/EIS) Released
The draft EIR/EIS for the North Bay Water Recycling Program (NBWRP) was released to the public on May 5, 2009. The recycled water projects under the NBWRP are sponsored by a group of local agencies that are working together as the North Bay Water Reuse Authority (NBWRA). The member agencies of the NBWRA include: Sonoma County Water Agency, Napa Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District and Novato Sanitary District. North Marin Water District and Napa County are also providing financial and technical support for the project. A comprehensive regional program of this type provides a sound approach toward meeting local, state and federal water resource management objectives and regulatory requirements so solutions can be met to put recycled water to the most beneficial use.
The draft EIR/EIS considers three alternatives and the No Action Alternative to review a range of recycled water reuse and regional facility integration. Under each alternative, treatment and storage capacity would be constructed at existing wastewater treatment plants and distribution facilities (pump stations and pipelines) would be constructed within or along public roadways within Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties.
The draft EIS/EIR is available to the public at the following link, click here. Hard copies are also available for a fee at each of the member agency offices, or are available upon request by emailing info@nbwra.org. The public review period for the Draft EIR/EIS will end on June 26, 2009.
$25 Million Funding Authorized
On March 30, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act. The NBWRA member agencies were authorized to receive $25 million to fund recycled water projects as part of the North Bay Water Recycling Program. The federal government has previously contributed $1.25 million in matching funds for the program’s engineering and environmental studies. The $25 million authorization would help fund a total of about $100 million in water recycling projects by the partners in the regional cooperative program. More information about costs and funding is available on our website, click here.
|
PUBLIC HEARINGS IN JUNE:
|
|
There will be 3 public hearings to give the public the opportunity to comment on the draft EIR/EIS and participate in the decision-making process. June 9, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m June 10, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m June 11, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m Look for more information and updates on the project website; nbwra.org or call us at (707) 547-1923. |