Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District is preparing an Environmental Assessment for the Town of Quartzsite Water System Improvements Project.
The purpose of the EA is to evaluate potential environmental impacts of proposed improvement activities to the water distribution system in the Town of Quartzsite, Arizona. The purpose of this project is to improve the safety, resiliency due to increased water demands with winter visitors, and reliability of the drinking water distribution system. The proposed project would be funded in part by the USACE through the Section 595 Rural Infrastructure Program authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 1999, Public Law 106-53, as amended (Section 595).
As provided for under Section 595, the USACE is authorized to provide design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, rural Nevada, New Mexico, rural Utah, and Wyoming, including projects for wastewater treatment and related facilities, water supply and related facilities, and surface water resource protection and development.
The proposed project is located in the Town of Quartzsite, La Paz County, Arizona. The proposed project is comprised of four separate components. The approximate latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates for these components are as follows: (1) Tyson Street Water Line Extension – latitude 33.689425 and longitude -114.216760 (central point); (2) Mockingbird Street Water Line Extension – latitude 33.669847 and longitude -114.211509 (central point); (3) Quail Trail St. Laydown Yard – latitude 33.675276 and longitude -114.206060; and, (4) Kofa Ave. Laydown Yard – latitude 33.609842 and longitude -114.234889 (Figure 1). Detailed information on each of the project components is provided below.
Project Description
Project Component 1: Tyson Street Water Line Extension
Construction activities would include the installation of approximately 3,000 linear feet of 12- inch, C900 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe within Tyson Street. Extending the water main east would provide water line connection to an existing fire department and medical facility. These activities would also require a jack and bore under U.S. Highway 95 and traffic control. The water line is proposed for installation within the Tyson Street right-of-way, which includes the existing disturbed, dirt shoulder abutting Tyson Street. Although the water line is anticipated to be entirely within the disturbed, dirt shoulder of the road, as necessary, asphalt patching would occur where the water line may need to be installed within the asphalt portion of Tyson Street.
Project Component 2: Mockingbird Street Water Line Extension
Construction activities would include connection to the existing water line through the installation of 1,500 linear feet of 12-inch PVC pipe, gate valves, and fire hydrant, as necessary, for the line extension.
Project Component 3 and 4: Existing Quail Trail Street and Kofa Avenue Water Storage Reservoirs/Tanks: Laydown and Storage Yards for Water Line Work
The two reservoirs/tanks known as the Quail Trail Street and Kofa Avenue Storage Reservoirs/Tanks would be made available to the contractor for a storage yard, if needed, for materials, equipment, parking, and any other storage needs. No ground disturbance is anticipated. The proposed project would be completed within 270 consecutive days. All project activities would occur primarily within previously disturbed, dirt areas and hardscaped areas.
If the EA identifies significant impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level that is less than significant, an Environmental Impact Statement would be prepared. If no unmitigable, significant impacts are identified, then a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would be prepared. Preliminary environmental analysis anticipates that there would be no unmitigable, significant impacts on environmental resources.
Comments on this public notice will be accepted through July 8, 2025. Comments can be submitted electronically to: Kristin.E.Smith@usace.army.mil.
Figure 1. Project Vicinity and Location – The inset map with the black pin is the approximate location of the Town of Quartzsite, Arizona. The yellow pins are the approximate project component locations.