Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project Draft Environmental Impact Report

Valley Water released the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on Nov. 17, 2021 and the notices are provided below: 

• Notice of Availability for release of Draft Environmental Impact Report and Public Meeting
• Notice of Completion (see also State Clearing House Posting for the Draft Environmental Impact Report)
• February 24-25, 2021 Public Scoping Meeting Notice (meeting recording on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 and presentation file)

This Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is accessible below and available to local, state, and federal agencies, and to interested organizations and individuals who may want to review and comment on the analysis provided, for a comment period from Nov. 17, 2021, through Jan. 21, 2022. THE COMMENT PERIOD IS EXTENDED TO FEB 15, 2022. 

Draft Environmental Impact Report Main Body - Quick Link 

• Draft Environmental Impact Report

Draft Environmental Impact Report - Individual Chapters/Sections

• Cover and Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Chapter 1 - Introduction
• Chapter 2 - Project Description and Alternatives to the Proposed Project
• Chapter 3 - Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation
  • 3.1 Considerations for Describing Environmental Setting and Environmental Impacts
  • 3.2 Aesthetics
  • 3.3 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
  • 3.4 Air Quality
  • 3.5 Biological Resources - Botanical/Wildlife
  • 3.6 Biological Resources - Fisheries
  • 3.7 Cultural Resources and Tribal Cultural Resources
  • 3.8 Energy
  • 3.9 Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources
  • 3.10 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • 3.11 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
  • 3.12 Hydrology and Water Management
  • 3.13 Land Use and Planning
  • 3.14 Noise
  • 3.15 Population and Housing
  • 3.16 Public Services
  • 3.17 Recreation
  • 3.18 Transportation
  • 3.19 Utilities and Service Systems
  • 3.20 Water Quality
  • 3.21 Wildfire
• Chapter 4 Other CEQA Considerations
• Chapter 5 References
• Chapter 6 List of Preparers

Draft Environmental Impact Report Appendices

• Public and Agency Scoping Process Appendix
• Alternatives Development and Project Description Appendix
• Water Resources and Fisheries Numerical Modeling Appendix
• Air Quality and GHG Emissions Appendix
• Biological Resources - Botanical/Wildlife Appendix
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials Appendix
• Noise Appendix
• Transportation Appendix

During the review period, copies of the draft Program EIR are also available for in-person review at:

• Valley Water, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 9511
• Almaden Branch Library, 6445 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120
• Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95118
• Pearl Avenue Branch Library, 4270 Pearl Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
• Edenvale Branch Library, 101 Branham Lane East, San Jose, CA 95111
• Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124
• Santa Teresa Branch Library, 290 International Circle, San Jose, CA 95119
• Los Banos Branch of the Merced County Library, 1312 S 7th St, Los Banos, CA, 93635
• San Benito County Free Library, 470 5th Street, Hollister, CA 95023
• Gilroy Library, 350 W 6th Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
• Morgan Hill Library, 660 West Main Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

During the public comment period, written comments on the adequacy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report may be submitted to:

Todd Sexauer, Senior Environmental Planner
Santa Clara Valley Water District
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95118

Comments may also be emailed to [email protected]. Written comments on the Draft EIR should be received by close of business day on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. 

In addition, raw output data from the water resources and fisheries numerical modeling, developed in support of the Draft Environmental Impact Report, are available here.  

A virtual public meeting is scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. The meeting will include a detailed presentation about the draft EIR and an opportunity for the public to ask questions.  

To join the webinar, please click the link below. 

https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/85762031311

Dial-in +1 669 900 9128 

Webinar ID: 857 6203 1311

Click here for more background information on the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project.