Notice of Availability and Public Hearings for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 77425-77427 [05-24646]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 250 / Friday, December 30, 2005 / Notices
Dated: December 21, 2005.
James Kohler,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E5–8074 Filed 12–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–DK–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Notice of Availability and Public
Hearings for the Red River Valley
Water Supply Project Draft
Environmental Impact Statement
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability and
Notice of Pubic Hearings INT–DES–05–
79.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) and the State of North
Dakota, represented by the Garrison
Diversion Conservancy District
(Garrison Diversion), have as joint lead
agencies prepared the Red River Valley
Water Supply Project Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The DEIS was prepared in cooperation
with the cities of Fargo, West Fargo, and
Grand Forks, North Dakota and
Moorhead, Minnesota, the Lake Agassiz
Water Authority, North Dakota State
Historic Preservation Office, Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological
Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and
pursuant to section 8(c) of the Dakota
Water Resources Act of 2000 (DWRA)
and section 102(2)(c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended.
The DEIS analyzes the environmental,
cultural, and socioeconomic effects of
eight alternatives. Seven alternatives
would meet the water needs in the Red
River Valley of North Dakota, and the
cities of Breckenridge, Moorhead, and
East Grand Forks in Minnesota, through
2050. The document also discloses the
effects of no action, or the future
without implementing the federal Red
River Valley Water Supply Project.
DATES: A 60-day public review period
commences with the publication of this
notice. Written comments on the DEIS
are due by February 28, 2006, and
should be submitted to Reclamation at
the address given below.
Public hearings will be held during
February in North Dakota and
Minnesota. See the Supplementary
Information section for dates of the
public hearings.
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SUMMARY:
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Written comments should
be submitted to: Bureau of Reclamation,
Attn: Signe Snortland, Dakotas Area
Office, P.O. Box 1017, Bismarck ND
58502.
Kansas
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section for meeting addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Signe Snortland, Red River Valley Water
Supply Project EIS, Bureau of
Reclamation, Dakotas Area Office, P.O.
Box 1017, Bismarck ND 58502;
Telephone: (701) 250–4242 extension
3619; or Fax to (701) 250–4326. You
may submit e-mail to
ssnortland@gp.usbr.gov or access the
Red River Valley Water Supply Project
Web site at https://www.rrvwsp.com.
• Breckenridge Public Library, 205
7th Street North, Breckenridge,
Minnesota
• East Grand Forks Public Library,
422 4th Street Northwest, East Grand
Forks, Minnesota
• Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th
Street South, Moorhead, Minnesota
• Perham Area Public Library, 225
2nd Avenue Northeast, Perham,
Minnesota
• Red Lake Band of Chippewa
Indians, PO Box 550, Red Lake,
Minnesota
• St. Paul Public Library, 90 West 4th
Street, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Warroad City Library, 202 Main
Avenue Northwest, Warroad, Minnesota
• White Earth Reservation, 26246
Crane Road, White Earth, Minnesota
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Hearing Dates:
• Thursday, February 2, 2006, 7 p.m.,
Bismarck, North Dakota
• Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 7 p.m.,
Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 7
p.m., Warroad, Minnesota
• Thursday, February 9, 2006, 7 p.m.,
Valley City, North Dakota
• Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 7
p.m., Fargo, North Dakota
• Thursday, February 16, 2006, 7
p.m., Perham, Minnesota
• Friday, February 17, 2006, 1 p.m.,
Red Lake, Minnesota
Public Hearing Locations:
• Bismarck—Best Western
Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange
Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota
• Grand Forks—Holiday Inn, 1210 N.
43rd Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Warroad—Warroad Public School
Theatre, 510 Cedar Avenue, Warroad,
Minnesota
• Valley City—AmericInn, 280
Winter Show Road SE., Valley City,
North Dakota
• Fargo—Ramada Plaza Suites and
Conference Center, 1635 42nd Street,
SW., Fargo, North Dakota
• Perham—Lakeside Golf Club, 2727
450th Street, Perham, Minnesota
• Red Lake—Red Lake Community
Center, 15041 Great Nation Drive,
Highway 1, Adjacent to the Seven Clans
Casino, Red Lake, Minnesota
Public Review Locations
Copies of the DEIS are available for
public review at the following locations:
Iowa
• Des Moines Public Library, 100
Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Topeka and Shawnee County Public
Library, 1515 SW. 10th Street, Topeka,
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri
• Kansas City Public Library, 14 West
10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
• Missouri River Regional Library,
214 Adams Street, Jefferson City,
Missouri
Montana
• Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains
Regional Office, 316 N. 26th Street,
Billings, Montana
Nebraska
• Lincoln City Libraries, 136 South
14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska
North Dakota
• Alfred Dickey Public Library, 105
3rd Street Southeast, Jamestown, North
Dakota
• Bureau of Indian Affairs, Turtle
Mountain Agency, PO Box 60, Belcourt/
Highway 5 West, North Dakota
• Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort
Berthold Agency, 202 Main Street, New
Town, North Dakota
• Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort
Totten Agency, PO Box 270/Main Street,
Fort Totten, North Dakota
• Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas
Area Office, 304 E. Broadway Avenue,
Bismarck, North Dakota
• Fargo Public Library, 102 3rd Street
North, Fargo, North Dakota
• Garrison Diversion Conservancy
District, 401 Highway 281 Northeast,
Carrington, North Dakota
• Grand Forks Public Library, 2110
Library Circle, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
• Leach Public Library, 417 2nd
Avenue North, Wahpeton, North Dakota
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 250 / Friday, December 30, 2005 / Notices
• North Dakota State Library, 603 East
Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North
Dakota
• Standing Rock Administrative
Service Center, Building #1, North
Standing Rock Avenue, Fort Yates,
North Dakota
• West Fargo Public Library, 109 3rd
Street East, West Fargo, North Dakota
Province of Ontario
jointly prepare and complete a draft
environmental impact statement
concerning all feasible options to meet
the comprehensive water quality and
quantity needs of the Red River Valley
and the options for meeting those
needs’’ (Section 8(c)(2)(A)).
DWRA also states, ‘‘the Secretary
shall maintain the Snake Creek
Pumping Plant, New Rockford Canal,
and McClusky Canal features of the
principal supply works. Subject to the
provisions of section (8) of this Act, the
Secretary shall select a preferred
alternative to implement the Dakota
Water Resources Act of 2000. In making
this selection, one of the alternatives the
Secretary shall consider is whether to
connect the principal supply works in
existence on the date of enactment’’
[Section 5(a)(5)].
• Kenora Branch Library, 24 Main
Street South, Kenora, Ontario, Canada
Purpose and Need for the Federal
Action
Background
The purpose of the action proposed in
this DEIS is to meet the ‘‘comprehensive
water quality and quantity needs of the
Red River Valley’’ [DWRA Section
8(c)(2)(A)] through year 2050. The
quality and quantity needs are defined
by DWRA as MR&I supplies, water
quality, aquatic environment,
recreation, and water conservation
measures [DWRA Section 8(b)(2)].
South Dakota
• Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sisseton
Agency, Veterans Memorial D, Agency
Village, South Dakota
• South Dakota State Library, 800
Governors Drive, Pierre, South Dakota
Province of Manitoba
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
• Millennium Library, 251 Donald
Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
In 1944, the U.S. Congress passed the
Flood Control Act (the Missouri-Basin
Pick Sloan Act), which authorized the
construction of dams on the Missouri
River and its tributaries. The Garrison
Diversion Unit (GDU) was authorized in
1965, and construction began in 1967.
The project was designed to divert
Missouri River water to central and
eastern North Dakota for irrigation; fish
and wildlife enhancement; municipal,
rural, and industrial (MR&I) water
supply; and recreation development.
Most of the currently authorized
principal supply works have been
completed, except for about a 20-mile
reach between the end of the McClusky
Canal and beginning of the New
Rockford Canal.
The project was reformulated in 1986
to reduce the emphasis on irrigation and
increase the emphasis on meeting the
MR&I water needs throughout North
Dakota. The 1986 Reformulation Act
authorized a Sheyenne River water
supply and release feature and water
treatment plant capable of delivering
100 cubic feet per second of water to
eastern North Dakota.
The GDU authorization was amended
again in December 2000 by DWRA.
Among other things, DWRA states that,
‘‘the Secretary of the Interior shall
conduct a comprehensive study of the
water quality and quantity needs of the
Red River Valley in North Dakota and
possible options for meeting those
needs’’ (Section 8(b)(1)). In addition, the
DWRA states that, ‘‘pursuant to an
agreement between the Secretary and
State of North Dakota as authorized
under section 1(g) * * * the Secretary
and the State of North Dakota shall
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18:16 Dec 29, 2005
Jkt 208001
Alternatives
Eight alternatives are evaluated in the
DEIS including three in-basin
alternatives, four Missouri River import
alternatives, and no action. All of the
proposed pipelines in these alternatives
would be buried. Reclamation has not
identified a preferred alternative at this
time. The Garrison Diversion Unit
(GDU) Import to Sheyenne River
Alternative is the State of North
Dakota’s preferred alternative. The
alternatives are:
• No Action Alternative. This
alternative represents the reasonably
foreseeable future condition if the
federal Red River Valley Water Supply
Project is not constructed.
• North Dakota In-Basin. This inbasin alternative would use surface and
groundwater sources primarily within
the Red River Valley of North Dakota to
meet shortages. The primary feature
would capture flows in the Red River
downstream of Grand Forks and would
recirculate flows back to Lake Ashtabula
via pipeline.
• Red River Basin. For this
alternative, in-basin surface water and
groundwater from the Red River Basin
in Minnesota and North Dakota would
be used to meet shortages. The primary
feature would be a new well field and
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
pipeline network in Otter Tail County,
Minnesota.
• Lake of the Woods. This in-basin
alternative would transport water via
pipeline from Lake of the Woods,
Minnesota, to the Red River Valley, and
also use water sources in North Dakota
to meet water shortages.
• GDU Import to Sheyenne River.
This import alternative would meet
water shortages by transporting
Missouri River water through the GDU
Principal Supply Works to the
Sheyenne River via pipeline. Water
would be treated at the end of the
McClusky Canal using coagulation,
flocculation, sedimentation and
ultraviolet disinfection. Water would be
further treated to SDWA (Safe Drinking
Water Act) standards at treatment plants
in the Red River Valley. The Sheyenne
and Red Rivers would be used to convey
water further in the basin. The Principal
Supply Works include the Snake Creek
Pumping Plant on Lake Sakakawea,
Audubon Lake, and McClusky Canal.
• GDU Import Pipeline. This import
alternative would use the GDU Principal
Supply Works and a pipeline system to
convey treated Missouri River water
directly to the local water systems in the
Red River Valley to meet water
shortages. Water would be treated at the
end of the McClusky Canal using
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation
and ultraviolet disinfection. Water
would be further treated to SDWA
standards at treatment plants in the Red
River Valley.
• Missouri River Import to Red River
Valley. This import alternative would
use a pipeline from the Missouri River
south of Bismarck, North Dakota, to
import treated water to Fargo, Grand
Forks, and Lake Ashtabula. Water
would be treated at the source using
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation
and ultraviolet disinfection. Water
would be further treated to SDWA
standards at treatment plants in the Red
River Valley. Water delivered to Lake
Ashtabula in off peak times would be
stored for later release to downstream
users to meet water shortages.
• GDU Water Supply Replacement
Pipeline. This import alternative would
use the GDU Principal Supply Works
and pipelines to replace existing MR&I
water supplies in the service area with
potable, imported Missouri River water.
Water would be treated to SDWA
standards at the source.
Public Disclosure Statement
Comments received in response to
this notice will become part of the
administrative record for this project
and are subject to public inspection.
Our practice is to make comments,
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 250 / Friday, December 30, 2005 / Notices
including names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public
review. Individual respondents may
request that we withhold their home
address from public disclosure, which
we will honor to the extent allowable by
law. There also may be circumstances in
which we would withhold a
respondent’s identity from public
disclosure, as allowable by law. If you
wish us to withhold your name and/or
address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comment. We will make all submissions
from organizations or businesses, and
from individuals identifying themselves
as representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public disclosure in their entirety.
Dated: December 21, 2005.
Donald E. Moomaw,
Assistant Regional Director, Great Plains
Region.
[FR Doc. 05–24646 Filed 12–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
December 22, 2005.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has
submitted the following public
information collection request (ICR) to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13,
44 U.S.C chapter 35). A copy of this ICR,
with applicable supporting
documentation, may be obtained by
contacting Darrin King on 202–693–
4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or
e-mail: king.darrin@dol.gov.
Comments should be sent to Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Office of
Management and Budget, Room 10235,
Washington, DC 20503, 202–395–7316
(this is not a toll-free number), within
30 days from the date of this publication
in the Federal Register, 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 agency, 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,
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21:02 Dec 29, 2005
Jkt 205001
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• 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 submission of
responses.
Agency: Occupational Safety and
Health Administration.
Type of Review: Extension of
currently approved collection.
Title: The 13 Carcinogens Standard
(29 CFR 1910.1003, 1915.1003, and
1926.1103).
OMB Number: 1218–0085.
Frequency: On occasion and
Annually.
Type of Response: Recordkeeping and
Third party disclosure.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit; Not-for-profit institutions;
Federal Government; and State, Local,
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 97.
Number of Annual Responses: 2,187.
Estimated Time Per Response: Time
per response ranges from approximately
5 minutes (for employers to maintain
records) to 2 hours for employees to
receive a medical examination.
Total Burden Hours: 1,657.
Total Annualized capital/startup
costs: $0.
Total Annual Costs (operating/
maintaining systems or purchasing
services): $86,227.
Description: The information
collection requirements specified in the
13 Carcinogens Standard protect
employees from the adverse health
effects that may result from exposure to
any of the 13 carcinogens. The major
information collection requirements of
the 13 Carcinogens Standard include:
Establishing and implementing
respiratory protection and medical
surveillance programs for employees
assigned to or being considered for
assignment to regulated areas;
maintaining complete and accurate
records of the respiratory protection
programs and medical surveillance;
providing employees with records of all
medical examination results; and
posting warning signs and information.
In addition, employers must retain
employee medical records for specified
time periods, provide these records to
OSHA and the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) upon request, and transfer
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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77427
them to NIOSH under certain
circumstances.
Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–24648 Filed 12–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–26–M
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Fee Adjustments for Testing,
Evaluation, and Approval of Mining
Products
Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice of fee adjustments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice revises MSHA’s
Approval and Certification Center
(A&CC) user fees for services provided
pursuant to part 5 of Title 30 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
during 2006. Fees compensate MSHA
for the costs that the agency incurs for
testing and evaluating equipment and
materials manufactured for use in the
mining industry. The fees for 2006 are
based on the Agency’s fiscal year 2005
actual expenses.
DATES: This fee schedule is effective
from January 1, 2006 through December
31, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven J. Luzik, Chief, Approval and
Certification Center (A&CC), 304–547–
2029 or 304–547–0400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fee Computation
MSHA has revised its fee schedule for
2006 in accordance with part 5 of 30
CFR, which was amended by a direct
final rule published in the Federal
Register (70 FR 46336) on August 9,
2005. For approval applications
postmarked before January 1, 2006,
MSHA will continue to calculate fees
under the previous (2005) fee schedule,
published on December 29, 2004 (69 FR
78046).
In general, MSHA computed the 2006
fees based on fiscal year 2005 data. The
Agency calculated a weighted-average,
direct cost for all of the services that it
provided during fiscal year 2005 in the
processing of requests for testing,
evaluation, and approval of equipment
and materials manufactured for use in
the mining industry. From this cost,
MSHA calculated a single hourly rate to
apply uniformly.
Changes to Fee Assessments for 2006
On November 7, 2005, MSHA’s direct
final rule became effective (70 FR
67632). This final rule amended part 5
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77425-77427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24646]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Notice of Availability and Public Hearings for the Red River
Valley Water Supply Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability and Notice of Pubic Hearings INT-DES-05-
79.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the State of North
Dakota, represented by the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
(Garrison Diversion), have as joint lead agencies prepared the Red
River Valley Water Supply Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS). The DEIS was prepared in cooperation with the cities of Fargo,
West Fargo, and Grand Forks, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota, the
Lake Agassiz Water Authority, North Dakota State Historic Preservation
Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Forest Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and pursuant
to section 8(c) of the Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 (DWRA) and
section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended.
The DEIS analyzes the environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic
effects of eight alternatives. Seven alternatives would meet the water
needs in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, and the cities of
Breckenridge, Moorhead, and East Grand Forks in Minnesota, through
2050. The document also discloses the effects of no action, or the
future without implementing the federal Red River Valley Water Supply
Project.
DATES: A 60-day public review period commences with the publication of
this notice. Written comments on the DEIS are due by February 28, 2006,
and should be submitted to Reclamation at the address given below.
Public hearings will be held during February in North Dakota and
Minnesota. See the Supplementary Information section for dates of the
public hearings.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Bureau of
Reclamation, Attn: Signe Snortland, Dakotas Area Office, P.O. Box 1017,
Bismarck ND 58502.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Signe Snortland, Red River Valley
Water Supply Project EIS, Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas Area Office,
P.O. Box 1017, Bismarck ND 58502; Telephone: (701) 250-4242 extension
3619; or Fax to (701) 250-4326. You may submit e-mail to
ssnortland@gp.usbr.gov or access the Red River Valley Water Supply
Project Web site at https://www.rrvwsp.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Hearing Dates:
Thursday, February 2, 2006, 7 p.m., Bismarck, North Dakota
Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 7 p.m., Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 7 p.m., Warroad, Minnesota
Thursday, February 9, 2006, 7 p.m., Valley City, North
Dakota
Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 7 p.m., Fargo, North Dakota
Thursday, February 16, 2006, 7 p.m., Perham, Minnesota
Friday, February 17, 2006, 1 p.m., Red Lake, Minnesota
Public Hearing Locations:
Bismarck--Best Western Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange
Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota
Grand Forks--Holiday Inn, 1210 N. 43rd Street, Grand
Forks, North Dakota
Warroad--Warroad Public School Theatre, 510 Cedar Avenue,
Warroad, Minnesota
Valley City--AmericInn, 280 Winter Show Road SE., Valley
City, North Dakota
Fargo--Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center, 1635
42nd Street, SW., Fargo, North Dakota
Perham--Lakeside Golf Club, 2727 450th Street, Perham,
Minnesota
Red Lake--Red Lake Community Center, 15041 Great Nation
Drive, Highway 1, Adjacent to the Seven Clans Casino, Red Lake,
Minnesota
Public Review Locations
Copies of the DEIS are available for public review at the following
locations:
Iowa
Des Moines Public Library, 100 Locust Street, Des Moines,
Iowa
Kansas
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW. 10th
Street, Topeka, Kansas
Minnesota
Breckenridge Public Library, 205 7th Street North,
Breckenridge, Minnesota
East Grand Forks Public Library, 422 4th Street Northwest,
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th Street South, Moorhead,
Minnesota
Perham Area Public Library, 225 2nd Avenue Northeast,
Perham, Minnesota
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, PO Box 550, Red Lake,
Minnesota
St. Paul Public Library, 90 West 4th Street, St. Paul,
Minnesota
Warroad City Library, 202 Main Avenue Northwest, Warroad,
Minnesota
White Earth Reservation, 26246 Crane Road, White Earth,
Minnesota
Missouri
Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri
Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams Street,
Jefferson City, Missouri
Montana
Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Regional Office, 316
N. 26th Street, Billings, Montana
Nebraska
Lincoln City Libraries, 136 South 14th Street, Lincoln,
Nebraska
North Dakota
Alfred Dickey Public Library, 105 3rd Street Southeast,
Jamestown, North Dakota
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Turtle Mountain Agency, PO Box
60, Belcourt/Highway 5 West, North Dakota
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Berthold Agency, 202 Main
Street, New Town, North Dakota
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Totten Agency, PO Box 270/
Main Street, Fort Totten, North Dakota
Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas Area Office, 304 E.
Broadway Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota
Fargo Public Library, 102 3rd Street North, Fargo, North
Dakota
Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, 401 Highway 281
Northeast, Carrington, North Dakota
Grand Forks Public Library, 2110 Library Circle, Grand
Forks, North Dakota
Leach Public Library, 417 2nd Avenue North, Wahpeton,
North Dakota
[[Page 77426]]
North Dakota State Library, 603 East Boulevard Avenue,
Bismarck, North Dakota
Standing Rock Administrative Service Center, Building
1, North Standing Rock Avenue, Fort Yates, North Dakota
West Fargo Public Library, 109 3rd Street East, West
Fargo, North Dakota
South Dakota
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sisseton Agency, Veterans
Memorial D, Agency Village, South Dakota
South Dakota State Library, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre,
South Dakota
Province of Manitoba
Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada
Province of Ontario
Kenora Branch Library, 24 Main Street South, Kenora,
Ontario, Canada
Background
In 1944, the U.S. Congress passed the Flood Control Act (the
Missouri-Basin Pick Sloan Act), which authorized the construction of
dams on the Missouri River and its tributaries. The Garrison Diversion
Unit (GDU) was authorized in 1965, and construction began in 1967. The
project was designed to divert Missouri River water to central and
eastern North Dakota for irrigation; fish and wildlife enhancement;
municipal, rural, and industrial (MR&I) water supply; and recreation
development. Most of the currently authorized principal supply works
have been completed, except for about a 20-mile reach between the end
of the McClusky Canal and beginning of the New Rockford Canal.
The project was reformulated in 1986 to reduce the emphasis on
irrigation and increase the emphasis on meeting the MR&I water needs
throughout North Dakota. The 1986 Reformulation Act authorized a
Sheyenne River water supply and release feature and water treatment
plant capable of delivering 100 cubic feet per second of water to
eastern North Dakota.
The GDU authorization was amended again in December 2000 by DWRA.
Among other things, DWRA states that, ``the Secretary of the Interior
shall conduct a comprehensive study of the water quality and quantity
needs of the Red River Valley in North Dakota and possible options for
meeting those needs'' (Section 8(b)(1)). In addition, the DWRA states
that, ``pursuant to an agreement between the Secretary and State of
North Dakota as authorized under section 1(g) * * * the Secretary and
the State of North Dakota shall jointly prepare and complete a draft
environmental impact statement concerning all feasible options to meet
the comprehensive water quality and quantity needs of the Red River
Valley and the options for meeting those needs'' (Section 8(c)(2)(A)).
DWRA also states, ``the Secretary shall maintain the Snake Creek
Pumping Plant, New Rockford Canal, and McClusky Canal features of the
principal supply works. Subject to the provisions of section (8) of
this Act, the Secretary shall select a preferred alternative to
implement the Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000. In making this
selection, one of the alternatives the Secretary shall consider is
whether to connect the principal supply works in existence on the date
of enactment'' [Section 5(a)(5)].
Purpose and Need for the Federal Action
The purpose of the action proposed in this DEIS is to meet the
``comprehensive water quality and quantity needs of the Red River
Valley'' [DWRA Section 8(c)(2)(A)] through year 2050. The quality and
quantity needs are defined by DWRA as MR&I supplies, water quality,
aquatic environment, recreation, and water conservation measures [DWRA
Section 8(b)(2)].
Alternatives
Eight alternatives are evaluated in the DEIS including three in-
basin alternatives, four Missouri River import alternatives, and no
action. All of the proposed pipelines in these alternatives would be
buried. Reclamation has not identified a preferred alternative at this
time. The Garrison Diversion Unit (GDU) Import to Sheyenne River
Alternative is the State of North Dakota's preferred alternative. The
alternatives are:
No Action Alternative. This alternative represents the
reasonably foreseeable future condition if the federal Red River Valley
Water Supply Project is not constructed.
North Dakota In-Basin. This in-basin alternative would use
surface and groundwater sources primarily within the Red River Valley
of North Dakota to meet shortages. The primary feature would capture
flows in the Red River downstream of Grand Forks and would recirculate
flows back to Lake Ashtabula via pipeline.
Red River Basin. For this alternative, in-basin surface
water and groundwater from the Red River Basin in Minnesota and North
Dakota would be used to meet shortages. The primary feature would be a
new well field and pipeline network in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Lake of the Woods. This in-basin alternative would
transport water via pipeline from Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, to the
Red River Valley, and also use water sources in North Dakota to meet
water shortages.
GDU Import to Sheyenne River. This import alternative
would meet water shortages by transporting Missouri River water through
the GDU Principal Supply Works to the Sheyenne River via pipeline.
Water would be treated at the end of the McClusky Canal using
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and ultraviolet disinfection.
Water would be further treated to SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act)
standards at treatment plants in the Red River Valley. The Sheyenne and
Red Rivers would be used to convey water further in the basin. The
Principal Supply Works include the Snake Creek Pumping Plant on Lake
Sakakawea, Audubon Lake, and McClusky Canal.
GDU Import Pipeline. This import alternative would use the
GDU Principal Supply Works and a pipeline system to convey treated
Missouri River water directly to the local water systems in the Red
River Valley to meet water shortages. Water would be treated at the end
of the McClusky Canal using coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation
and ultraviolet disinfection. Water would be further treated to SDWA
standards at treatment plants in the Red River Valley.
Missouri River Import to Red River Valley. This import
alternative would use a pipeline from the Missouri River south of
Bismarck, North Dakota, to import treated water to Fargo, Grand Forks,
and Lake Ashtabula. Water would be treated at the source using
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and ultraviolet disinfection.
Water would be further treated to SDWA standards at treatment plants in
the Red River Valley. Water delivered to Lake Ashtabula in off peak
times would be stored for later release to downstream users to meet
water shortages.
GDU Water Supply Replacement Pipeline. This import
alternative would use the GDU Principal Supply Works and pipelines to
replace existing MR&I water supplies in the service area with potable,
imported Missouri River water. Water would be treated to SDWA standards
at the source.
Public Disclosure Statement
Comments received in response to this notice will become part of
the administrative record for this project and are subject to public
inspection. Our practice is to make comments,
[[Page 77427]]
including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public
review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home
address from public disclosure, which we will honor to the extent
allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would
withhold a respondent's identity from public disclosure, as allowable
by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will make
all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations
or businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.
Dated: December 21, 2005.
Donald E. Moomaw,
Assistant Regional Director, Great Plains Region.
[FR Doc. 05-24646 Filed 12-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P