Field Hearings Slated to Take Input on Delta Plan Draft EIR

The Delta Stewardship Council will hold field hearings throughout the state in January to take public comment and input on its Delta Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report.

Released Nov. 4, the draft EIR analyzes the environmental impacts of the draft Delta Plan, which includes 12 regulatory policies and 61 recommendations designed to guide state and local agencies regarding land, water, air and other systems in the Delta.

The EIR also examines five alternative plans, including a no project alternative, two alternatives with increased emphasis on water supply reliability, one alternative with increased emphasis on Delta ecosystem restoration and one alternative with increased emphasis on protection and enhancement of Delta communities and culture.

Meetings are scheduled for Jan. 11 in San Diego, Jan. 12 in Pasadena, Jan. 17 in Ceres, Jan. 18 in Clarksburg, and Jan. 19 in Willows. Each will include a brief overview of the Delta Plan followed by public comments related to the draft EIR. A court reporter will record comments on the draft EIR for public record and to enable council staff to respond accurately to comments.

The deadline for submitting written comments on the draft EIR is Feb. 2, 2012. Once the comment period closes, the council will review and analyze comments, and use information in the draft EIR to develop a final EIR and Delta Plan. Written responses to draft EIR comments will be issued in the final EIR, which will be available at www.deltacouncil.ca.gov.

Final EIR certification and Delta Plan adoption is currently anticipated for spring 2012.