Draft Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project EIR Available for Public Review

Draft Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project EIR Available for Public Review

The City of Santa Barbara Public Works Department prepared the Draft Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzes the potential environmental effects associated with the proposed Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The proposed Project would replace aging water infrastructure and implement improvements to enhance the reliability, resiliency, and operational flexibility of the City's water system.

The Project would involve demolition of the existing 10-million-gallon Vic Trace Reservoir and construction of two new 5-million-gallon reservoirs at the same site. The new reservoirs would be fully buried below finished grade with soil cover. Additional onsite improvements include replacement of the existing Valve Building with a new facility housing pumps, disinfection systems, and electrical equipment; re-abandonment of an existing oil well in accordance with current regulatory standards; construction of new access roads, landscaping, and site infrastructure; and potential installation of renewable energy generation and storage systems.

Offsite improvements include installation, replacement, and relocation of underground water pipelines within surrounding streets; construction of a new underground pressure reducing valve (PRV) station and abandonment of the existing PRV station; and temporary use of a City-owned residential property for construction offices.

Project construction would occur over an approximately three-year period and would include demolition, grading, excavation, pipeline installation, and facility construction activities.

The City is accepting public comments on the Draft EIR during the 45-day review period from June 8, 2026, to July 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

How to Review and Comment:

We welcome your participation in the City of Santa Barbara's environmental review process. The Draft EIR is available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/VicTrace.

Email: Email comments to [email protected] using the subject line "Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project"

Mail / Delivery:

Address comments to:
City of Santa Barbara
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
Attn: Kelly Bourque, Senior Engineer
630 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93102

Public Meetings:

The Santa Barbara Department of Public Works will hold an in-person public meeting on the Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Draft EIR on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 1633 La Coronilla Drive, Santa Barbara, California.

A virtual meeting will be held via Zoom on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Register by visiting the Project website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/VicTrace. The virtual meeting will be recorded and posted to the website the following day.

A hearing to receive public comments on the Draft EIR will be held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California. Meetings can be viewed live on City TV-18 or streamed online at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityTV. Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC.

For more information, please contact Kelly Bourque at [email protected]