Water System Improvement Program
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) proposes to adopt and implement a Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) to repair and replace aging portions of its water delivery system, which serves 2.4 million people in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and Tuolumne counties. These actions are intended to improve the water system’s ability to withstand earthquakes, weather droughts and provide a reliable supply of potable water to its customers through the year 2030.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that the decision-making agency and the public be informed about the significant environmental effects of a project or program, and ways to avoid or reduce those environmental effects, before that project or program is approved. A Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) is the environmental review process needed to analyze the potential environmental effects of large-scale plans or programs. A PEIR focuses on the big picture issues associated with the program, rather than on the details of each project or activity within it.
Draft Program Environmental Impact Report
The Draft PEIR for the Water System Improvement Program is now available for public review. This review period begins June 29, 2007 and will last until 5:00 PM, Monday, October 1, 2007. The Draft PEIR evaluates the environmental effects of the proposed changes in water supply, including growth-inducing impacts, as well as the general environmental effects of implementing 22 facility projects in the WSIP. The San Francisco Planning Department, Major Environmental Analysis Division (MEA), is the Lead Agency under CEQA conducting the program environmental review of the WSIP.
How to View Copies of the Draft PEIR
The Draft PEIR can be viewed on MEA’s website, www.sfgov.org/site/planning/mea . Paper copies of the Draft PEIR can be viewed at the San Francisco Planning Department, the SFPUC (by appointment only), and at public libraries in the seven counties in which WSIP facilities are proposed. READ more details about how to view a paper copy of the Draft PEIR. The Draft PEIR and supporting documents will be located at the SFPUC, 1145 Market Street, Ground Floor. To make an appointment to view the Administrative Record, please call 1-866-231-1337, or email PEIRappointments@sfwater.org .
Public Comment on the Draft PEIR
MEA invites members of the public to submit comments on the Draft PEIR orally at hearings to be held in September, and in writing at those hearings as well as by mail and email throughout the review period for the Draft PEIR. READ more details about upcoming hearings and how to submit written comments.
