Reclamation, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and the Natomas Mutual Water Company have scheduled a public scoping meeting to seek public input on the preparation of a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project (Project). Reclamation is the National Environmental Policy Act lead agency and DFG is the California Environmental Quality Act lead agency.

The public scoping meeting will be held to solicit input on issues and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The public scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2003, at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Residence Inn by Marriott, 2410 West El Camino Avenue, Lobby Conference Room, Sacramento California.

The purposes of the Project are to improve passage conditions for migratory fish species in segments of the lower Sacramento River and the Natomas Cross Canal adjacent to the American Basin, to improve aquatic and riparian habitat conditions in the project area, and to prevent entrainment of resident and migratory fish species in unscreened water diversions.

Written comments on issues and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS/EIR must be received by close of business on Thursday, December 4, 2003. Send written comments to Mr. Stephen Sullivan, Mead and Hunt, Inc., American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project, 3327 Longview Drive, Suite 100, North Highlands CA 95660. For additional information, please contact Mr. John Robles, Reclamation Environmental Specialist, at 916-978-5050, TDD 916-978-5608, or Mr. James Navicky, DFG Environmental Specialist, at 916-358-2030.