Y.C. releases study on fish screen project

Yuba City and the Bureau of Reclamation have released a joint draft environmental assessment initial study on the city's project to install a fish screen at its Feather River water intake.

The new, screened intake will replace the unscreened intake and will meet state and federal rquirements for fish screens.

The city has to install the screen as a condition of the State Water Resources Control Board's approval of its wastewater treatment plant expansion project.

In addition to the screen, the project will include manifold and facade modifications to the low-level pump station.

Piping between the new intake structure and existing pump station would be modified to accommodate the new intake structure design.

In addition, the road that runs from the project site through the orchard would be improved to enable access during winter months and storm events.

The screen is estimated to cost $4.6 million, according to city estimates last year. Total cost of the project wasn't available Saturday. The Bureau of Reclamation may provide up to 50 percent of construction costs. The city may also receive other outside funding.

Yuba City needs a surface water supply of 48 million gallons per day. The current intake can provide that level of supply, but the capacity of the low-lift pump station is 40 mgd.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2010 and require 12 months to 15 months to complete, depending on river flow, weather conditions and the time of year when the project is initiated.

The new intake will be 60 feet upstream from the existing facility.

Written comments on the draft environmental assessment and an accompanying finding of no singnifcant impact are due by Dec. 4 and should be mailed to Shelly Hatleberg, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-410, Sacramento, CA 95825, e-mailed to shatleberg@usbr.gov, or faxed to 916-978-5290.