Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, CEQA Environmental Review, CEQA Process Schedule, Draft EIR Publication ‘delayed "several months" beyond its September 30 public release date’

ABSTRACT: RE: STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, CEQA Environmental Review, “The firm hired by the state Public Utilities Commission to conduct the project's environmental review said the draft report had been delayed "several months" beyond its Sept. 30 public release date. According to Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority executive director Jim Cullem, a representative from Environmental Science Associates called Friday with the news and also said the PUC's December hearings on the project would likely be delayed, perhaps for as long as three months,” according to reporting in The Monterey County Herald.  Additionally, "the Marina City Council has decided to hear Cal Am's appeal of the city Planning Commission's denial of a test well permit on September 3, 2014."

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“Monterey Peninsula officials have already submitted a confidential proposal to extend the approaching deadline for complying with the state-ordered cutback in pumping from the Carmel River set to take full effect at the end of 2016, and are expecting to receive a counterproposal from the state water board by the end of the summer,” according to reporting in The Monterey County Herald.

PUC ALJ Angela Minkin “ruled that the consulting firm preparing the project's draft environmental impact report would be delayed four months until the end of January. That is expected to push a final PUC decision back about six months to the middle of next year and likely will also delay final completion of the project.”

Source: Bid to relax Carmel River cutback order announced

By Jim Johnson, 08/15/2014

Desal draft EIR release delayed; impact on schedule uncertain

Could push back project schedule by three months

By Jim Johnson, 08/12/14

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

(Application A.12-04-019, filed April 23, 2012)

CEQA Environmental Review Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, the CPUC has determined that a Subsequent EIR is the appropriate level of CEQA review for the MPWSP. The MPWSP EIR will provide a comprehensive description and evaluation of all proposed components (including the new proposed elements and previously analyzed components) as the "whole of the action." The MPWSP EIR may evaluate alternatives not previously considered in the previous CWP EIR. If it is determined through the scoping process that additional federal review is required, CPUC will coordinate with the appropriate agency to comply with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). CEQA Process Schedule (See ALJ Ruling dated January 27, 2013) Public Release of Notice of Preparation October 10, 2012 EIR Scoping Period (30 days) October 10, 2012 - November 9, 2012 Public Scoping Meetings October 24, 2012 and October 25, 2012 Draft EIR Publication 3rd Quarter 2014 Public and agency comment period Comments will be due 45 days following release of DEIR Public hearings on Draft EIR 4th Quarter 2014 Publication of Final EIR 1st Quarter 2015 EIR Certification & CPUC Decision 1st Quarter 2015