SCH Number 2020020183

Project Info

Title

Chino Basin Wastermaster Optimum Basin Management Program Update (OBMPU)

Description

The proposed Optimum Basin Management Program Update (OBMPU) continues the OBMP’s nine Program Elements (described in the Initial Study accompanying the Notice of Preparation), and describes facility improvements needed to meet the OBMPU’s long-term planning objectives over a thirty-year planning horizon. The OBMPU EIR will tier from prior OBMP environmental documents, including but not limited to the Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the Optimum Basin Management Program (SCH#200041047), July 2000, prepared by Tom Dodson & Associates (2000 OBMP PEIR). The following issues have been addressed in the scope of the SEIR: air quality, biology, cultural resources, energy, greenhouse gases, hydrology and water quality, tribal cultural resources, and utilities and service systems. This project description focuses on the relationship between OBMPU Program Elements and activities and facilities proposed by the overall OBMPU programs that may be implemented if the proposed program is approved by the Chino Basin Watermaster (CBWM or Watermaster). However, because the CBWM is not considered a public agency, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), whose service area encompasses most of the Chino Basin, will serve as the Lead Agency for this environmental document and compliance with the CEQA. Actual implementation of the OBMPU activities described herein may be carried out by the CBWM or any of its member agencies/stakeholders in the Chino Groundwater Basin (Chino Basin) through the planning period, 2020 through 2050. The description of the OBMPU’s scope in this document is of necessity expansive as it covers the nine (9) Program Elements (PEs) that make up the original OBMP, and which were analyzed in a 2000 Program Environmental Impact Report (2000 PEIR). The OBMPU is intended to address possible program activities and projects at a programmatic level over the next 30 years, with some site-specific detail where near-term future locations of facilities are known. The CBWM and stakeholders have been meeting to review Program Elements and define potential project activities and facilities for about the past two years. Since the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) has jurisdiction throughout most of the Chino Basin, it has agreed to serve as the Lead Agency for purposes of complying with the California Environ¬mental Quality Act (CEQA). The CBWM and parties/stakeholders of the OBMPU and regulatory agencies that will function as CEQA Responsible Agencies will have the option of relying upon this CEQA document for any future actions they take in support of the proposed program or an individual project described in this environmental document.

2 documents in project