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Public Notices

Under the Corps' Regulatory Program, a public notice is the primary method for advising all interested parties of a proposed activity for which a permit is sought. Soliciting comments and information necessary to evaluate the probable impacts on the public interest. Public notices are also published to inform the public about new or proposed regulations, policies, guidance or permit procedures.

Public Notices published by the Sacramento District under the Regulatory Program are posted on this page. Once a public notice is available on-line, an email notification is sent to individuals on the appropriate mailing list.

Comments are due by the expiration date of the public notice.  Only comments submitted by email or in hard copy format through a delivery service, such as the U.S. Postal Service, can be accepted.   Comments must be submitted to the address listed in the public notice.

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Mailing lists are categorized by county and state. For instructions to be added to a Public Notice notification list, see https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Permitting/Request-for-Public-Notice-Notification/.

SPK-2014-01036, Manteca, San Joaquin County, CA

Published May 19, 2015
Expiration date: 6/17/2015

Comments Period: May 18, 2015 – June 17, 2015

SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a permit application to construct the Manteca Family Entertainment Project, which would result in impacts to approximately 5.42-acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, in or adjacent to French Camp Outlet Canal. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments.

AUTHORITY: This application is being evaluated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States.

APPLICANT: City of Manteca, Attn: Ms. Karen McLaughlin, 1001 West Center Street, Manteca, California 95337

LOCATION: The 210.7-acre site is located near French Camp Outlet Canal, Section 1, Township 2 South, Range 6 East, Mount Diablo Meridian, Latitude 37.7853°, Longitude -121.26°, Manteca, San Joaquin County, California, and can be seen on the CA-LATHROP USGS Topographic Quadrangle.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to construct and develop the Manteca Family Entertainment Project, on a 210.7-acre parcel that includes the existing Big League Dreams Sports Park. To accomplish this development, 2.98-acres of French Camp Outlet Canal and 2.44-acres of adjacent wetlands would be filled. Based on the available information, the overall project purpose is to develop the Manteca Family Entertainment Zone (FEZ). The FEZ would include public, active and passive recreation, and sporting facilities to be operated by public agencies and/or private sector vendors or operators, including the addition of ball fields associated with and adjacent to Big League Dreams Park, as well as the addition of multi-purpose playfields, primarily for soccer. Various public amenities such as hotels, restaurants, retail and conference centers are also proposed. The applicant believes there is a need to implement the FEZ Master Plan to develop a comprehensive public use zone. The applicant anticipates construction of additional storm drainage facilities within the proposed project to accommodate future development south of State Route 120. The attached drawings provide additional project details.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

    Environmental Setting. There are approximately 2.98-acres of French Camp Outlet Canal which functions as an irrigation drainage ditch for farms receiving South San Joaquin Irrigation District irrigation water, and storm drain functions for approximately 10,210-acres of south Manteca and several regional municipalities. There are 2.44-acres of seasonal wetlands adjacent to French Camp Outlet Canal within the project area. The project site has been leveled for agricultural use. Elevation ranges from approximately 20-feet to 25-feet above mean seal level (MSL). Topographic features within the project area include agricultural fields, dirt farm roads, French Camp Outlet Canal and adjacent wetlands, and the 28-acre fully developed Big League Dreams ballpark.

    Alternatives. The applicant has provided information concerning project alternatives. Additional information concerning project alternatives may be available from the applicant or their agent. Other alternatives may develop during the review process for this permit application. All reasonable project alternatives, in particular those which may be less damaging to the aquatic environment, will be considered.

    Mitigation. The Corps requires that applicants consider and use all reasonable and practical measures to avoid and minimize impacts to aquatic resources. If the applicant is unable to avoid or minimize all impacts, the Corps may require compensatory mitigation. The applicant has proposed to purchase mitigation credits as required at the Cosumnes Mitigation Bank.

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Water quality certification or a waiver, as required under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the Central Valley Region of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board is required for this project. The applicant has indicated they will apply for certification.

HISTORIC PROPERTIES: Based on the available information (including applicant's report titled Cultural Resource Assessment for the Manteca Family Entertainment Zone), no cultural resources were identified within the project's area of potential effect. The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: The project would not likely affect any Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat that are protected by the Endangered Species Act. The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed project would not adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.

EVALUATION FACTORS: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the described activity, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The activity's impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).

The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2014-01036 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before June 17, 2015.

Ramon Aberasturi, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
1325 J Street, Room 1480
Sacramento, California 95814
Email: Ramon.Aberasturi@usace.army.mil

The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. Please note that all comment letters received are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you have questions or need additional information please contact the applicant’s representative Steve McMurtry, 916-580-9818, smcmurtry@denovoplanning.com or the Corps' project manager Ramon Aberasturi, 916-557-6865, Ramon.Aberasturi@usace.army.mil

Attachments: 4 drawings
Attachment #1: Regional Location Map
Attachment #2: USGS Topographic Map with FEZ project boundary
Attachment #3: Aerial view with FEZ project boundary
Attachment #4: Proposed Storm Drainage Conveyance Alternative