Final EIR Design Level Geotechnical Investigations for the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project
What: Public Board meeting to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Design Level Geotechnical Investigations for the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project
When: Sept. 9, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Where: HQ. Bldg. Boardroom, 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118 (in-person) and https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/84454515597
Why: The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), as the Lead Agency for the Proposed Project, has completed a Final EIR to evaluate the environmental impacts of the Project. The Final EIR was prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., § 15000 et seq.).
To review or download the Final Environmental Impact Report, see links below:
Final Environmental Impact Report (main body)
The Proposed Project study area is located within, adjacent to, and in the vicinity of the existing Pacheco Reservoir, and along State Route 152 (SR-152) from Kaiser-Aetna Road to the existing ranch road approximately one mile east of Kaiser-Aetna Road on the north side of SR-152. Pacheco Reservoir is located along North Fork Pacheco Creek and upstream of the North Fork Dam (near 37.05022, -121.291754), roughly equidistant between the cities of Gilroy and Los Banos. The existing reservoir is located approximately one-half mile north of SR-152 in eastern Santa Clara County, California.
The Proposed Project would provide geotechnical and geologic data required by the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) for the safe design of the proposed upstream dam site for the separately proposed Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project (PREP). Geotechnical information would also be required by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for planning and design associated with a temporary interchange at State Route 152 (SR-152) to facilitate truck traffic of the PREP. The Proposed Project would provide Valley Water’s engineers with design information necessary to ensure the safe design of the PREP and reduce the likelihood of hazards if it is constructed and refine design of the PREP to reflect the improved understanding of geotechnical conditions.
Based on review of the Proposed Project, no impacts were identified for a number of resources (e.g., Public Services, Utilities). Significant environmental impacts have been identified to biological resources, cultural resources, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, transportation, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire resulting from implementation of the Design Level Geotechnical Investigations. However, mitigation measures have been identified that would reduce all significant impacts to those resources to a less than significant level. In addition, the Project incorporates Conservation Measures including standard Valley Water Best Management Practices (BMPs), Valley Habitat Plan Conditions and Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs), Valley Water Monarch Butterfly and Crotch’s Bumble Bee Avoidance Protocols, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures, and Project Avoidance and Minimization Measures. None of the Project components are proposed on hazardous waste sites listed under Government Code § 65962.5.
The Final EIR is also available for in-person review at the Valley Water headquarters located at: 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118.
At the Sept. 9, 2025, public Board meeting, public comments will be accepted on the Final EIR and Project. The Board will then consider certifying the Final EIR and approving the proposed Project or an alternative. For more information about the public hearing and Board meeting, please visit the Board meetings webpage at: https://scvwd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.