SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Draft ENVIRONMENTAL ...

1 1 | Page PRADO DAM AND BASIN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Draft ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT & FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT for GROUNDWATER LEVEL MONITORING WELLS Prepared for Los Angeles District Army Corps of Engineers Box 532711 Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325 Prepared by inland Empire utilities agency 6075 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA 91708 September 6, 2013 2 | Page Draft FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Groundwater Level Monitoring Wells Project In Prado Dam Basin San BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA I have reviewed the ENVIRONMENTAL Assessment (EA) that has been prepared for the proposed action by inland Empire Utility agency (IEUA) to install 9 groundwater level monitoring wells, at five locations in the Prado Dam Basin, San BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA .

2 The purpose of the wells is to monitor groundwater levels as well as groundwater water quality in this region of San BERNARDINO County. The EA has been prepared in compliance with applicable Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders and Corps' policies. The EA analyzes the impacts, of the proposed alternatives, upon the ENVIRONMENTAL and human resources in and adjacent to the area of the proposed action. Under the No Action Alternative, the nine groundwater level monitoring wells would not be installed. The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose and need of the proposed project, although it was carried forward for comparison purposes.

3 The Preferred Alternative includes installation of groundwater level monitoring wells at 5 locations. At four of the five locations, two wells would be installed (accounting for both Low and High aquifers; at the fifth location, one well already exists and just one would be installed) amounting to nine new wells at five locations. The monitoring wells would be drilled to approximately 50-100 feet in depth. The groundwater level data would be collected on a quarterly basis during a term consistent with the lease (25 years). The Preferred Alternative would meet the need and purpose of the proposed project.

4 With implementation of the ENVIRONMENTAL commitments identified in Chapter during the groundwater level monitoring well installation activities in the area of the Proposed Action, all potential adverse effects to ENVIRONMENTAL and human resources, in and adjacent to the project area, would be reduced to less than significant impact. The Preferred Alternative would most effectively meet the need and purpose of the proposed action. I have determined that implementation of the Preferred Alternative with the incorporation of the ENVIRONMENTAL Commitments identified in this EA is in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800), the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and other Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders as described in this EA.

5 I have considered the available information contained in the EA, and it is my determination that there are no significant adverse impacts on the quality of the human environment which would result from approval of the 3 | Page Recommended Plan. There are no unresolved ENVIRONMENTAL issues. Therefore, preparation of an ENVIRONMENTAL Impact Statement (EIS) is not required. Prepared by: _____ _____ Carvel Bass Date Ecologist, Civil Works Branch Asset Management Division Approval Recommended by: _____ _____ Theresa M.

6 Kaplan Date Chief, Asset Management Division Approval by: _____ _____ Kimberly M. Colloton, PMP Date Colonel, US Army Commander and District Engineer 4 | Page NOTICE OF PREPARATION Groundwater Level Monitoring Wells Project In Prado Dam Basin San BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA This Draft ENVIRONMENTAL Assessment (EA) has been prepared by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in compliance with the National ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Act (NEPA) other Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and Corps' policies. The Corps is the lead Federal agency for the Proposed Action, as no other agency is involved in implementing the Proposed Action.

7 The Draft EA will be provided for agency and public review to solicit input on the Proposed Action and will be made available for 30 days. Comments received will be considered in determining whether an ENVIRONMENTAL Impact Statement (EIS) will be required or whether a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) can be issued. The Prado Dam Basin (Basin) is located on the mid-Santa Ana River corridor and includes portions of the cities of Chino, Norco, and Corona, San BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA . The Basin is bordered on the south by State Route 91 and on the west by State Route 71.

8 Most of the proposed project would take place on Corps-controlled lands leased for recreation by San BERNARDINO County. The Proposed Action is the installation of 9 groundwater level monitoring wells at 5 locations (two at each of four sites, and one at the fifth site). The monitoring wells will be drilled to approximately 50-100 feet in depth. The groundwater level data will be collected on a quarterly basis for a term consistent with the lease (25 years). Long-term management would continue to include periodic sediment removal from the project area as needed to maintain Basin capacity for flood risk management.

9 The comment period for this Notice shall be from September 6 through October 7. Comments should be received no later than close of business on October 7, 2013, and may be provided to: Carvel Bass Asset Management Division Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Box 532711 Los Angeles, CA 90053 5 | Page Table of Contents Cover Page Finding of No Significant Impact Notice of Preparation Draft Environment Assessment - Table of Contents PAGE INTRODUCTION 6 Proposed Action Proposed Action Area/Figure 1 and 2 7 Authority 9 Background 10 Project Characteristics 11 Purpose and Need 11 ALTERNATIVES 11 Alternatives Considered No Action Preferred Alternative Cone Penetrometer/Groundwater Monitoring Wells 12 Relocation

10 Alternative 13 Figure 3 Land Ownership Map 14 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS Land Use 15 Geology and Soils 16 Hydrology/Water Quality 17 Air Quality 20 Noise 24 Biological Resources 26 Cultural Resources 29 Hazardous Waste and Materials 31 Aesthetic Resources 32 Recreation Resources 34 Public Health and Safety 35 Socioeconomics and ENVIRONMENTAL Justice 37 Traffic and Transportation 38 Cumulative Impacts 39 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS 41 APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS 43 RECOMMENDATIONS 49 6 | Page INTRODUCTION This ENVIRONMENTAL Assessment (EA) has been prepared by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to comply with the National ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Act (NEPA) ) (42 USC 4321 et seq.