NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Riverside North Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Riverside Public Utilities Department (Riverside) is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, for the project described below. Details regarding the project description, location, and the potential environmental effects are contained within the Expanded NOP prepared for the proposed project. The Expanded NOP can be reviewed at the City of Riverside Public Utilities Department office located at 3901 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501, and at the City of Colton City Hall located at 650 N. La Cadena Drive, Colton, CA 92324.  In addition, a PDF version of this document is available by clicking here.

Public comments regarding the proposed EIR must be sent to the address listed above and should reference the project name. Two public scoping meetings are scheduled for Tuesday November 17, 2009, commencing promptly at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverside Public Utilities Department, 3901 Orange Street, Riverside, California, 92501 and at 6:00 p.m. at the Gonzalez Community Center, 670 Colton Avenue, Colton, CA 92324. The purpose of the meeting is to allow for public comment on the proposed project, so that such comments may be addressed during preparation of the EIR.  Attendance at both meetings is not required, as the information reviewed will be identical. 

Riverside North Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project: The project proposes the construction of an inflatable rubber dam across the Santa Ana River just south of the Mount Vernon bridge and the construction of groundwater recharge basins in the south part of the City of Colton.  This facility would allow active groundwater recharge in this part of the Santa Ana River.

As part of this project, several other improvements are contemplated, which include the construction of a passive recreational park (includes a fishing pond, trails, and picnic areas), a pedestrian bridge across the Santa Ana River, the re-alignment of East Fogg Street, and the provision of railroad right of way for future re-alignment of rail facilities within this part of the City.

The EIR will evaluate construction of the rubber dam and groundwater recharge basins, as well as construction of the passive recreational park, pedestrian bridge and re-alignment of Fogg Street through this part of Colton.  Most of the potential impacts associated with the project would occur when the proposed improvements are being constructed.  Once construction of the project is completed, operation of the rubber dam facility and recharge basins is anticipated to be minimal, with repairs and maintenance occurring periodically.  

Environmental issues to be addressed in the EIR include air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology, soils and seismicity, hydrology/water quality, land use and relevant planning, noise, and transportation and circulation. 

Comments regarding the preparation of the Environmental Impact Report must be received no later than December 1, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. (a 30-day review period).  For additional information on this project, please contact Mr. Max Rasouli by phone (951)
826-5574 or fax (951) 826-2074.