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Claremont Corridor Seismic Improvements Project Environmental Impact Report

State clearinghouse #2003022140

The EBMUD Board of Directors met and certified the Claremont Corridor Seismic Improvement Project Final EIR and the project at their regular meeting on October 14, 2003.

The project involves a two-year effort to construct a permanent bypass tunnel (referred to as the Short Bypass Tunnel) where the Claremont Tunnel crosses the Hayward Fault and liner grouting and repairs to structurally reinforce the liner throughout the existing tunnel. 

Background  
Available Publications  
For More Information

Background

The existing Claremont Tunnel conveys treated water from EBMUD's Orinda Water Treatment Plant to more than 800,000 business and residential customers located west of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills. The tunnel crosses the  Hayward Fault about 130 feet below Tunnel Road in Berkeley.

Detailed studies completed in recent years showed that while the 75-year-old tunnel is in good condition, in a magnitude of 7.0 earthquake, it could be severely damaged by fault offset displacements of up to 7 to 8 feet during earthquake shaking. Severe water rationing could be required for at least six months during repairs, leaving EBMUD customers west of the tunnel with very limited water supplies for drinking and fighting fires. Therefore, EBMUD needs to improve its water delivery capability to the west of the hills in the event of a major earthquake. 

In 1994, the EBMUD Board of Directors approved a $189 million 10-year Seismic Improvement Program (SIP) to protect our water system from catastrophic damage. The SIP safeguards our customers' investment and reduces long-term risks to the local economy, EBMUD facilities and property owners, and protects the lives of employees and the public. The Claremont Corridor Seismic Improvement Project is a critical component of the SIP.

In early 2003, a series of public and agency meetings were conducted to obtain comment on the alternatives to be considered, as well as environmental issues to be addressed. 

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Available Publications

The full text of the Final EIR, the Draft EIR and other Seismic Improvement Program information are available as PDF files that can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software. 

Seismic Improvement Program 2003 Progress Report (.pdf)  
Seismic Improvement Program Update (.pdf)  
Final EIR Document (.pdf)

Draft Environmental Impact Report

Hard copies of both the Final EIR and the Draft EIR are also available in the Reference section at the two local libraries listed below.  Please contact the library for library hours.

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For More Information

If you have any questions about the project or would like more information about the Claremont Corridor Seismic Improvement Project, please contact Donna Kerger, Project Liaison,  at (510) 287- 0165 or email dkerger@ebmud.com.

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