Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Leasing of Lands at Fort Bliss, TX for the Proposed Siting, Construction, and Operation by the City of El Paso of a Brackish Water Desalination Plant and Support Facilities, 4095-4096 [05-689]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 18 / Friday, January 28, 2005 / Notices Agency Number: None. Affected Public: State government and not-for-profit institutions. Total Respondents: 52. Frequency: Annually. Average Time Per Response: 20 hours. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,040 hours. Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): None. Total Burden Cost (Operating/ Maintenance): None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: January 14, 2005. Robert Grimm, Director, Department of Research and Policy Development. [FR Doc. 05–1563 Filed 1–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Submission for OMB Emergency Review Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the ‘‘Corporation’’), submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The Corporation has requested OMB to review and approve its emergency request by February 1, 2005, for a period of six months. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting the Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Grants Policy and Operations, Marci Hunn, (202) 606–5000, Ext. 432, or by e-mail at mhunn@cns.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY–TDD) may call (202) 565–2799 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following two methods: (1) By fax to: (202) 395–6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich, OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; and (2) Electronically by e-mail to: Katherine_T._Astrich@omb.eop.gov. VerDate jul<14>2003 15:43 Jan 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 The OMB is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Description: The purpose of this grant competition is to engage persons with disabilities in national and community service programs. Through Congressional appropriations, this competition was established to fund innovative national or regional (operating in three or more states) partnership models in which persons with disabilities are engaged in service that results in a measurable impact on the community served. The Corporation encourages all eligible public and private non-profit organizations, including faith-based and other community-based organizations, to apply. This information collection contains application instructions to apply for funding under the Engaging Persons with Disabilities in National and Community Service competition. Type of Review: Emergency request. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: Engaging Persons with Disabilities in National and Community Service Application Instructions. OMB Number: None. Agency Number: None. Affected Public: Eligible applicants to the Corporation for funding for disability programs. Total Respondents: 40. Frequency: On occasion. Average Time Per Response: Ten (10) hours. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 400 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4095 Dated: January 19, 2005. Amy Mack, Chief of Staff, Office of Chief Executive Officer. [FR Doc. 05–1653 Filed 1–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Leasing of Lands at Fort Bliss, TX for the Proposed Siting, Construction, and Operation by the City of El Paso of a Brackish Water Desalination Plant and Support Facilities Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) evaluating the potential environmental impacts that could result from granting an easement to the City of El Paso, El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU), to use land in the South Training Areas of Fort Bliss for construction and operation of a desalination plant and support facilities, including wells, pipelines, and disposal sites for the residual brine resulting from the desalination process. The purpose of the proposed plant is to treat brackish (salty) water pumped from the Hueco Bolson Aquifer to provide an additional reliable source of potable water for use by the City of El Paso and Fort Bliss. Pumping of fresh water by ´ EPWU, Fort Bliss, Ciudad Juarez, and others has resulted in declining groundwater levels in the aquifer. In addition, brackish water is intruding into the aquifer’s freshwater layer and has the potential to affect water wells on Fort Bliss and in other areas of El Paso. A sizable volume of brackish water exists adjacent to the freshwater zone of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer. Desalination of the brackish water offers a way to extend the life of the freshwater aquifer as a source of potable water that is to the mutual benefit of Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso. The proposed desalination plant would reduce withdrawals of fresh water from the aquifer, extending its useful life and intercepting the flow of brackish water to wells that are operated by Fort Bliss. Both Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso have considered constructing desalination facilities to tap into this potential water source. The Army and EPWU believe that building a single desalination plant to provide potable water for both the installation and the city would be more efficient and E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 4096 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 18 / Friday, January 28, 2005 / Notices cost effective than constructing separate desalination plants. ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the FEIS, contact John F. Barrera (915) 568– 3908 or write to: Fort Bliss Directorate of the Environment, ATTN: AZC–DOE– C, Building 624, Pleasanton Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916–6812. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John F. Barrera, (915) 568–3908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed desalination plant would treat brackish water drawn from the Hueco Bolson Aquifer using a technology called reverse osmosis (RO). RO uses semipermeable membranes to remove dissolved solids (primarily salts) from brackish water, producing fresh water. Water for the desalination process would be drawn from existing EPWU wells on the east side of El Paso International Airport and from proposed new wells to be installed on Fort Bliss land north of Biggs Army Airfield. The plant is being designed to produce approximately 27.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water and 3.0 MGD of a brine called concentrate. To implement the proposed desalination project, EPWU is applying for an easement for land in the South Training Areas of Fort Bliss for a desalination plant site, 16 new water wells, concentrate disposal sites, and various connecting pipelines. The FEIS considers seven alternatives, six action alternatives and the No Action Alternative. The six action alternatives include various combinations of three potential sites for the proposed desalination plant and two methods of disposal on the concentrate. The three alternative desalination plant sites are located in Training Area 1B of the South Training Areas of Fort Bliss, adjacent to El Paso International Airport, north of Montana Avenue, and west of Loop 375. The two concentrate disposal methods under consideration include (1) injecting the concentrate underground into a confined zone where it would be isolated from potable water sources, or (2) piping the concentrate to evaporation ponds, where the liquid would evaporate leaving a solid salt residue that would be trucked to a landfill for final disposal. Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not provide land on Fort Bliss for construction and operation of the proposed desalination plant. None of the proposed facilities would be constructed on Army land at Fort Bliss. This alternative could, however, include one or more of the following actions without Army action or participation: construction and operation of a VerDate jul<14>2003 15:43 Jan 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 desalination plant on non-Army land, increase in water conservation measures, development of other water sources in the El Paso region, and/or importation of water from sources outside El Paso. Without the proposed desalination project, EPWU would continue to pump from the freshwater layer of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer until it no longer met drinking water standards. The Army has selected Alternative 3—Constructing the facility north of Montana Avenue and using deep well injection for the disposal of concentrate—as the Preferred Alternative. The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences each alternative could have on geology and soils; water resources; utilities and services; hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and safety; air quality; biological resources; land use and aesthetics; transportation; cultural resources; and socioeconomics and environmental justice. In addition, it includes comments received on the Draft EIS, published August 6, 2004, during the public review period that ended September 27, 2004, as well as responses to those comments. Copies of the FEIS are available for review at the following libraries in El Paso, Texas: El Paso Public Library, 501 N. Oregon Street; Richard Burgess Branch, 9600 Dyer; Irving Schwartz Public Library, 1865 Dean Martin Drive; and Westside Branch Library, 125 Belvedere Street. Hugh M. Exton, Jr., Director, SWRO, Installation Management Agency. [FR Doc. 05–689 Filed 1–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [OMB Control No. 9000–0035] Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Claims and Appeals AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning claims and appeals. The clearance currently expires on April 30, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Submit comments on or before March 29, 2005. ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000–0035, Claims and Appeals, in all correspondence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Cundiff, Contract Policy Division, GSA (202) 501–0044. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Purpose It is the Government’s policy to try to resolve all contractual issues by mutual agreement at the contracting officer’s level without litigation. Contractor’s claims must be submitted in writing to the contracting officer for a decision. Claims exceeding $100,000 must be accompanied by a certification that (1) the claim is made in good faith; (2) supporting data are accurate and complete; and (3) the amount requested accurately reflects the contract adjustment for which the contractor believes the Government is liable. Contractors may appeal the contracting officer’s decision by submitting written appeals to the appropriate officials. B. Annual Reporting Burden Respondents: 4,500. Responses Per Respondent: 3. E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1

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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4095-4096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-689]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Leasing of 
Lands at Fort Bliss, TX for the Proposed Siting, Construction, and 
Operation by the City of El Paso of a Brackish Water Desalination Plant 
and Support Facilities

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) evaluating the potential 
environmental impacts that could result from granting an easement to 
the City of El Paso, El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU), to use land in the 
South Training Areas of Fort Bliss for construction and operation of a 
desalination plant and support facilities, including wells, pipelines, 
and disposal sites for the residual brine resulting from the 
desalination process. The purpose of the proposed plant is to treat 
brackish (salty) water pumped from the Hueco Bolson Aquifer to provide 
an additional reliable source of potable water for use by the City of 
El Paso and Fort Bliss. Pumping of fresh water by EPWU, Fort Bliss, 
Ciudad Ju[aacute]rez, and others has resulted in declining groundwater 
levels in the aquifer. In addition, brackish water is intruding into 
the aquifer's freshwater layer and has the potential to affect water 
wells on Fort Bliss and in other areas of El Paso.
    A sizable volume of brackish water exists adjacent to the 
freshwater zone of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer. Desalination of the 
brackish water offers a way to extend the life of the freshwater 
aquifer as a source of potable water that is to the mutual benefit of 
Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso. The proposed desalination plant 
would reduce withdrawals of fresh water from the aquifer, extending its 
useful life and intercepting the flow of brackish water to wells that 
are operated by Fort Bliss. Both Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso 
have considered constructing desalination facilities to tap into this 
potential water source. The Army and EPWU believe that building a 
single desalination plant to provide potable water for both the 
installation and the city would be more efficient and

[[Page 4096]]

cost effective than constructing separate desalination plants.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the FEIS, contact John F. Barrera (915) 
568-3908 or write to: Fort Bliss Directorate of the Environment, ATTN: 
AZC-DOE-C, Building 624, Pleasanton Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916-6812.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John F. Barrera, (915) 568-3908.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed desalination plant would treat 
brackish water drawn from the Hueco Bolson Aquifer using a technology 
called reverse osmosis (RO). RO uses semipermeable membranes to remove 
dissolved solids (primarily salts) from brackish water, producing fresh 
water. Water for the desalination process would be drawn from existing 
EPWU wells on the east side of El Paso International Airport and from 
proposed new wells to be installed on Fort Bliss land north of Biggs 
Army Airfield. The plant is being designed to produce approximately 
27.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water and 3.0 MGD of a 
brine called concentrate. To implement the proposed desalination 
project, EPWU is applying for an easement for land in the South 
Training Areas of Fort Bliss for a desalination plant site, 16 new 
water wells, concentrate disposal sites, and various connecting 
pipelines.
    The FEIS considers seven alternatives, six action alternatives and 
the No Action Alternative. The six action alternatives include various 
combinations of three potential sites for the proposed desalination 
plant and two methods of disposal on the concentrate. The three 
alternative desalination plant sites are located in Training Area 1B of 
the South Training Areas of Fort Bliss, adjacent to El Paso 
International Airport, north of Montana Avenue, and west of Loop 375. 
The two concentrate disposal methods under consideration include (1) 
injecting the concentrate underground into a confined zone where it 
would be isolated from potable water sources, or (2) piping the 
concentrate to evaporation ponds, where the liquid would evaporate 
leaving a solid salt residue that would be trucked to a landfill for 
final disposal.
    Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not provide land on 
Fort Bliss for construction and operation of the proposed desalination 
plant. None of the proposed facilities would be constructed on Army 
land at Fort Bliss. This alternative could, however, include one or 
more of the following actions without Army action or participation: 
construction and operation of a desalination plant on non-Army land, 
increase in water conservation measures, development of other water 
sources in the El Paso region, and/or importation of water from sources 
outside El Paso. Without the proposed desalination project, EPWU would 
continue to pump from the freshwater layer of the Hueco Bolson Aquifer 
until it no longer met drinking water standards.
    The Army has selected Alternative 3--Constructing the facility 
north of Montana Avenue and using deep well injection for the disposal 
of concentrate--as the Preferred Alternative.
    The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences each alternative 
could have on geology and soils; water resources; utilities and 
services; hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and safety; air 
quality; biological resources; land use and aesthetics; transportation; 
cultural resources; and socioeconomics and environmental justice. In 
addition, it includes comments received on the Draft EIS, published 
August 6, 2004, during the public review period that ended September 
27, 2004, as well as responses to those comments.
    Copies of the FEIS are available for review at the following 
libraries in El Paso, Texas: El Paso Public Library, 501 N. Oregon 
Street; Richard Burgess Branch, 9600 Dyer; Irving Schwartz Public 
Library, 1865 Dean Martin Drive; and Westside Branch Library, 125 
Belvedere Street.

Hugh M. Exton, Jr.,
Director, SWRO, Installation Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-689 Filed 1-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
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