| More NewsDraft Environmental Reviews Documents Now Available for Watershed-wide Permitting ProgramsOct. 18, 2008 The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is accepting public comment for the Shasta River and Scott River Watershed-wide Permitting Programs Draft Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs). The public has the opportunity to review and provide comments on the two draft EIRs for a period of 60 days. The review process for both programs officially began on Oct. 10, 2008. Both programs are located in Siskiyou County. The primary purpose of the programs is to facilitate compliance for agricultural water diverters with Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq. and, with respect to coho salmon, the California Endangered Species Act (Fish and Game Code, Section 2050 et seq.) for the diversion of surface water in accordance with a valid water right. Participation in each program is voluntary. Farmers and ranchers may choose whether to participate in their specific watershed-wide program or obtain authorization through the normal permitting process. Other participants include the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District (for the Scott River watershed) and the Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District (for the Shasta River watershed) who will manage the programs and perform many of the programs’ required restoration activities. The Department of Water Resources will also participate in the programs because it provides watermaster service in both program areas and, as part of that responsibility, delivers water to farmers and ranchers. The public can view the Shasta River draft EIR online at www.dfg.ca.gov/news/pubnotice/ShastaRiverEIR and the Scott River draft EIR online at www.dfg.ca.gov/news/pubnotice/ScottRiverEIR. The public can also request a copy of the drafts by calling (530) 225-2300. The documents are also available for review at the following DFG offices and public libraries: DFG Offices
Public Libraries
CommentsThe deadline for submitting written comments to DFG is 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2008. Comments must be postmarked or received by this date. Written comments can be submitted by regular mail, fax or e-mail to: Bob Williams Public MeetingsThe public also has the opportunity to submit verbal and written comments at public meetings. DFG will hold a meeting to receive comments on the Scott program EIR at the Fort Jones Community Center located at 11960 East St., Fort Jones on Nov. 18, 2008 from 7 to 10 p.m. The public meeting on the Shasta program EIR document will be at the Siskiyou County Superior Court at 311 Fourth St., Yreka, CA 96097 on Nov. 19, 2008 from 7 to10 p.m. Contact:
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