The public will have an opportunity to comment formally on the draft environmental impact report for the proposal to construct a new wastewater treatment plant at the University of California, Davis. The proposed $14.5 million plant would provide additional treatment capacity and flexibility to meet existing and future wastewater discharge requirements. The planned 20-acre site is south of Interstate 80 and currently used as a campus horse pasture. "As the campus grows, a more efficient and reliable plant will be needed to meet water-quality-discharge requirements mandated by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board," said environmental planner Sid England, UC Davis Planning and Budget office. "These discharge requirements are set by the regional board to protect water quality and aquatic life in Putah Creek, where treated wastewater is currently discharged and also will be discharged by the new plant." The Tuesday, Dec. 3, public hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., Alpha Gamma Rho Hall, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, UC Davis. The public is invited to make formal comments on the environmental analysis in the environmental impact report. During the hearing, a court reporter will record comments and responses. These will be published in the final report currently scheduled to be published next March, according to England. This hearing and publication of the environmental report follow four public meetings on the project since 1994. Written comments on the report will be received through Dec.12 in the planning and budget office at UC Davis. Copies of the report are available to the public at the Yolo County and UC Davis libraries.