Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Joshua Basin Water District Water Recharge System
Notice of the Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received an application for financial assistance from the Joshua Basin Water District. As required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the EPA has prepared an Environmental Assessment that evaluates the potential environmental effects and consequences of the proposed project. This notice announces the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for public review and comment.
The proposed project includes the construction of one recharge basin facility, and an extension of the Morongo Basin Pipeline from its existing terminus to the new recharge basin near Joshua Basin, California. The recharge basin would be approximately 32.5 acres in size, consisting of multiple (up to six) six-to-seven foot deep sub-basins separated by overflow earthen weirs that would allow water to flow from sub-basin to sub-basin as needed. The basins would fill by gravity and no pumping equipment would be needed. The proposed pipeline would include up to 24,000 linear feet of up to 16 to 24-inch diameter pipe connecting to the existing Morongo Pipeline at Yucca Mesa Road. The pipeline would be installed within the road rights-of-way, following Yucca Mesa Road south to SR 62 then eastward along SR 62 to the recharge basin location. The pipeline would be buried approximately three to four feet below grade along the northern side of the highway.
- Environmental Assessment for the Joshua Basin Water District Water Recharge Project (PDF) (153 pp, 3.6M)
- Comment Letter From a Concerned Citizen (PDF) (Anonymous/ Name redacted by request) (8 pp, 2.0M)
- Comment Letter From Iona Chelette (PDF) (4 pp, 2.0M)
- Comment Letter From Michael Luhrs (PDF) (12 pp, 700K)
- Comment Letter From Jerry and Julie O'Neil (PDF) (1 pg, 40K)
- Comment Letter From Gary Wilson (PDF) (1 pg, 400K)
- Response to Comments (PDF) (7 pp, 60K)
- Final Finding of No Significant Impact, Joshua Basin Water District Water (PDF) (2 pp, 500K)
- 1st Finding of No Significant Impact, Joshua Basin Water District Water (PDF) (2 pp, 30K)
- Biological Opinion (PDF) (41 pp, 400K)
Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for review at the following locations:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street (WTR-10)
San Francisco, California 94105
Contact Charlotte Ely (415) 972-3731
Ely.charlotte@epa.gov
Joshua Basin Water District
61750 Chollita Road
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Contact: Joe Guzetta (760) 366-2042, ex. 226
JGuzzetta@jbwd.com
For further information contact:
Charlotte Ely (ely.charlotte@epa.gov)
US EPA, Region 9 WTR-4
75 Hawthorne Street (WTR-10)
San Francisco, California 94105
(415) 972-3731
Any person interested in commenting on this proposed project should submit comments to Charlotte at the above address by March 30, 2011.