Phase 2 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Eagle Permit NEPA Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received an application from Contra Costa Water District in September 2021 requesting eagle take coverage under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The application requested incidental take by disturbance of breeding golden eagle pairs from construction activities of the Phase 2 Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project and golden eagle territory loss due to habitat loss from inundation of the expanded Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The Project includes expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir from 160 TAF to 275 TAF storage capacity by modifying and enlarging the existing Los Vaqueros Dam, as well as modifying, relocating, or installing new infrastructure, facilities, and trails around the Reservoir. The Los Vaqueros Reservoir is an off-stream reservoir located in eastern Contra Costa County, California. Construction activities related to the Project are anticipated to occur over an approximate 3-year period from 2028 through 2030. Refilling of the Reservoir to 200 TAF is anticipated to occur over five years with an expected completion by 2035 with full inundation to 275 TAF approximated to occur between 2036 and 2040.

We prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, to assess impacts of the proposed action of issuance of the requested eagle take permit to the applicant, as well as alternatives to the proposed action. The proposed action of issuing a permit required implementation of measures to avoid and minimize adverse effects to eagles to the maximum extent practicable and compensatory mitigation to fully offset eagle take. Details of the minimizations measures and compensatory mitigation can be found in the EA document. The analysis detailed in the EA resulted in selection of the proposed action and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI and final EA documents are provided here.