Aspinall Unit, Colorado River Storage Project, CO, 7260-7262 [E9-2727]
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7260
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 29 / Friday, February 13, 2009 / Notices
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diversions in the South Delta. The fully
isolated facility alternative would
include potential new points of
diversion at various locations in the
North Delta and facilities to move water
from new points of diversion to the
existing SWP and CVP pumping
facilities in the South Delta. The
improved through-Delta alternative
could include new temporary or
permanent barriers to modify existing
hydraulics or fish movement within the
Delta, armoring of levees along Delta
waterways to ensure continued
conveyance capacity, and/or actions to
improve conveyance capacity in
existing Delta waterways.
New points of diversion could be
located along the Sacramento River
between South Sacramento and Walnut
Grove. The new conveyance facility
could extend from the new points of
diversion to the existing SWP and CVP
pumping facilities in the South Delta
and be located either to the west or east
of the Sacramento River. Potential CVP/
SWP operations changes include the
seasonal, daily, and real time amounts,
rates, and timing of water diverted
through and/or around the Delta.
Potential corresponding changes to
water exports could also be developed.
Other actions to reduce threats to
listed fish that may be evaluated for
implementation by the BDCP include
measures to minimize other stressors.
These other stressors may include: (1)
Non-native invasive species; (2) toxic
contaminants; (3) other water quality
issues; (4) hatcheries; (5) harvest; (6)
non-project diversions; and (7)
commercial/recreational activities.
Implementation of potential habitat
restoration activities and measures to
minimize other stressors will be
evaluated throughout the Delta, and
possibly upstream and downstream of
the Delta, as appropriate to meet the
objectives of the plan.
Preliminary locations, alignments,
and capacities of new conveyance
facilities, as well as habitat restoration
activities and actions to address other
stresses, to be evaluated in the EIS/EIR
will be informed by the scoping process.
In addition to the alternatives described
above, other reasonable alternatives
identified through the scoping process
will be considered for potential
inclusion in the alternatives analysis.
Statutory Authority
NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires
that Federal agencies conduct an
environmental analysis of their
proposed actions to determine if the
actions may significantly affect the
human environment. Under NEPA and
its implementing regulations (40 CFR
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15:38 Feb 12, 2009
Jkt 217001
part 1500 et seq.; NOAA Administrative
Order 216–6) (43 CFR Part 46), a
reasonable range of alternatives to the
proposed action are to be developed and
considered in an EIS/EIR prepared by
the FWS and NMFS. Alternatives
considered for analysis in an EIS/EIR
may include variations in the scope or
types of covered activities; variations in
the location, amount, and types of
conservation measures and the timing of
project activities; variations in permit
duration; or a combination of these or
other elements. In addition, as required
by NEPA, the EIS will identify
significant direct, indirect, and
cumulative effects, and possible
mitigation for those significant effects,
on biological resources, land use, air
quality, water quality, water resources,
socioeconomics, environmental justice,
cultural resources, and other
environmental issues that could occur
with the implementation of the
proposed action and alternatives.
Request for Comments
The purpose of this notice is to advise
other Federal and State agencies,
affected Tribes, and the public of our
intention to continue to gather
information to support the preparation
of an EIS/EIR, to obtain suggestions and
information from other agencies and the
public on the scope of alternatives and
issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR,
and to identify important issues raised
by the public related to the development
and implementation of the BDCP.
Written comments from interested
parties are invited to ensure that the full
range of alternatives and issues related
to the development of the BDCP is
identified. Comments during this stage
of the scoping process will only be
accepted in written form. You may
submit written comments by mail,
facsimile transmission, or in person (see
ADDRESSES). All comments received,
including names and addresses, will
become part of the official
administrative record and may be made
available to the public. Comments and
participation in the scoping process are
encouraged.
Before including your name, address,
phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Ken McDermond,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Sacramento, CA.
Mike Chotkowski,
Acting Regional Environmental Officer, MidPacific Region, Bureau of Reclamation.
Russ Strach,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected
Resources, Southwest Region, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–3103 Filed 2–12–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZA 33447]
Public Land Order No. 7730;
Withdrawal of National Forest System
Land for the Red Rock Ranger District
Administrative Site; Arizona
Correction
In notice document E9–2632
appearing on page 6417 in the issue of
February 9, 2009, make the following
correction:
In the second column, beneath
subheading ‘‘Gila and Salt River
Meridian’’, the third line should read:
E1⁄2SE1⁄4NE1⁄4.
[FR Doc. Z9–2632 Filed 2–12–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1505–01–D
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[DES 09–02]
Aspinall Unit, Colorado River Storage
Project, CO
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of
Aspinall Unit Operations Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation), the Federal agency
responsible for operation of the Aspinall
Unit, has prepared and made available
to the public a draft environmental
impact statement (DEIS) on Aspinall
Unit operations pursuant to Section
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended,
42 U.S.C. 4332.
DATES: A public review period
commences with the publication of this
notice. Written comments on the DEIS
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 29 / Friday, February 13, 2009 / Notices
are due by Friday, April 24, 2009, and
should be submitted to Steve McCall at
the address given below. Public
hearings will be held during the month
of April in Gunnison and Delta,
Colorado. The public hearings schedule
is as follows:
• Tuesday, April 7, 2009—6:30 p.m.
to 9 p.m.—Gunnison County
Fairgrounds, 275 S. Spruce Street,
Gunnison, Colorado.
• Wednesday, April 8, 2009—6:30
p.m. to 9 p.m.—Bill Heddles Recreation
Center, 530 Gunnison River Drive,
Delta, Colorado.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
DEIS and requests for copies should be
addressed to Steve McCall, Bureau of
Reclamation, Western Colorado Area
Office, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106,
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506;
telephone (970) 248–0638; facsimile
(970) 248–0601; e-mail:
smccall@uc.usbr.gov. The DEIS is also
available on Reclamation’s Web site at
https://www.usbr.gov/uc/ (click on
Environmental Documents).
Copies of the DEIS are available for
public review and inspection at the
following locations:
• Main Interior Building, Natural
Resources Library, Room 1151, 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240–
0001.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Denver
Office Library, Denver Federal Center,
Sixth and Kipling, Building 67, Room
167, Denver, Colorado 80225–0007.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Regional Office, 125 South
State Street, Room 7418, Salt Lake City,
Utah 84138–1147.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Western
Colorado Area Office, 2764 Compass
Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction,
Colorado 81506.
cprice-sewell on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
Libraries
• Delta County Public Library, Delta,
Colorado.
• Mesa County Public Library, Grand
Junction, Colorado.
• Montrose County Public Library,
Grand Junction, Colorado.
• Gunnison County Library,
Gunnison, Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve McCall, Bureau of Reclamation,
Western Colorado Area Office, 2764
Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand
Junction, Colorado 81506; telephone
(970) 248–0638; facsimile (970) 248–
0601; e-mail: smccall@uc.usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS
describes the environmental impacts of
alternatives to operate the Aspinall Unit
to assist in implementing flow
recommendations for endangered fish
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:38 Feb 12, 2009
Jkt 217001
provided by the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program
(Recovery Program). Under the direction
of the Recovery Program, Aspinall Unit
releases were evaluated beginning in
1992. At the completion of the research,
the Recovery Program published the
Flow Recommendations to Benefit
Endangered Fishes in the Colorado and
Gunnison Rivers (McAda, 2003). The
recommendations include spring peak
and base flow targets for various
hydrologic conditions in the Gunnison
River Basin.
The purpose of modifying operations
of the Aspinall Unit is to provide
sufficient releases of water at times,
quantities, and duration necessary to
avoid jeopardy to endangered fish
species and adverse modification of
their designated critical habitat in the
lower Gunnison River while
maintaining the authorized purposes of
the Aspinall Unit.
The Upper Colorado River Basin at
one time was inhabited by 14 native fish
species, four of which are now
endangered. These four fish are the
Colorado pikeminnow, razorback
sucker, bonytail, and humpback chub.
They exist only in the Colorado River
Basin. The four fish are endangered
because of adverse impacts to their
habitat over the last 125 years. The two
types of habitat impacts that appear to
have had the greatest effect have been
water development and introduction of
non-native fish (McAda, 2003).
Reclamation is required to comply
with the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
for operation of its facilities, including
the Aspinall Unit. Within the exercise of
its discretionary authority, Reclamation
must avoid jeopardizing the continued
existence of listed species and
destroying or adversely modifying
designated critical habitat.
7261
endangered fishes. This will help
facilitate future water development to
proceed in the Upper Colorado River
Basin in compliance with applicable
laws, compacts, court decrees, and
Indian trust responsibilities. The
proposed action is needed because
Reclamation is required to comply with
the Endangered Species Act for the
operation of facilities, including the
Aspinall Unit. Within the exercise of its
discretionary authority, Reclamation
must avoid jeopardizing the continued
existence of listed species or adversely
modifying designated critical habitat.
Background
The Aspinall Unit, located on the
Gunnison River in western Colorado, is
an authorized storage unit of the
Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP).
The Aspinall Unit includes three dams
and reservoirs (Blue Mesa, Morrow
Point, and Crystal) along a 40-mile reach
of the Gunnison River. The Aspinall
Unit is one of the four key features of
the CRSP intended to develop the water
resources of the Upper Colorado River
Basin and is operated in accordance
with the CRSP Act and applicable
Reclamation and other Federal laws.
Proposed Federal Action
Reclamation proposes to operate the
Aspinall Unit to avoid jeopardizing the
continued existence of downstream
endangered fish species while
maintaining and continuing to meet all
of the project’s authorized purposes.
Reclamation would implement the
proposed action by modifying the
operations of the Aspinall Unit, to the
extent possible, to help achieve river
flows recommended by the Recovery
Program. This change in Aspinall Unit
operations would assist in conserving
endangered fish in the Gunnison and
Colorado rivers and would maintain
authorized project purposes.
Hearing Process Information: Oral
comments at the hearings will be
limited to five minutes. The hearing
officer may allow any speaker to
provide additional oral comments after
all persons wishing to comment have
been heard. All comments will be
formally recorded. Speakers not present
when called will lose their privilege in
the scheduled order and will be recalled
at the end of the scheduled speakers.
Speakers are encouraged to provide
written versions of their oral comments,
and any other additional written
materials, for the hearing/administrative
record.
Written comments should be received
by Reclamation’s Western Colorado
Area Office using the contact
information provided above no later
than Friday, April 24, 2009, for
inclusion in the hearing/administrative
record. Under the NEPA process,
written and oral comments, received by
the due date, are given the same
consideration. Written comments,
Reclamation responses, and public
hearing statements (oral comments) will
be used in the preparation of the final
environmental impact statement.
Purpose and Need for Action
Under the proposed action, the
Aspinall Unit will be operated to avoid
jeopardizing the continued existence of,
and assist in the recovery of, the
Public Disclosure
Before including your name, address,
phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
7262
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 29 / Friday, February 13, 2009 / Notices
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Dated: January 15, 2009.
Ann Gold,
Acting Regional Director—UC Region.
[FR Doc. E9–2727 Filed 2–12–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332–504]
India: Effects of Tariffs and Nontariff
Measures on U.S. Agricultural Exports
cprice-sewell on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
AGENCY: United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and
scheduling of hearing.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on January
13, 2009, of a request from the United
States Senate Committee on Finance
(Committee) under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)),
the U.S. International Trade
Commission (Commission) instituted
investigation No. 332–504, India: Effects
of Tariffs and Nontariff Measures on
U.S. Agricultural Exports.
DATES: March 24, 2009: Deadline for
filing requests to appear at the public
hearing.
April 2, 2009: Deadline for filing
prehearing briefs and statements.
April 21, 2009: Public hearing.
April 28, 2009: Deadline for filing
posthearing briefs and statements.
June 26, 2009: Deadline for filing all
other written submissions.
November 12, 2009: Transmittal of
Commission report to the Committee.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices,
including the Commission’s hearing
rooms, are located in the United States
International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC. All written
submissions should be addressed to the
Secretary, United States International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20436. The public
record for this investigation may be
viewed on the Commission’s electronic
docket (EDIS) at https://www.usitc.gov/
secretary/edis.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Project leader George Serletis (202–205–
3315 or george.serletis@usitc.gov) or
deputy project leader Brian Allen (202–
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:38 Feb 12, 2009
Jkt 217001
205–3034 or brian.allen@usitc.gov) for
information specific to this
investigation. For information on the
legal aspects of this investigation,
contact William Gearhart of the
Commission’s Office of the General
Counsel (202–205–3091 or
william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media
should contact Margaret O’Laughlin,
Office of External Relations (202–205–
1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov).
Hearing-impaired individuals may
obtain information on this matter by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal at 202–205–1810. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server (https://www.usitc.gov).
Persons with mobility impairments who
will need special assistance in gaining
access to the Commission should
contact the Office of the Secretary at
202–205–2000.
Background: As requested by the
Committee, the Commission will
conduct an investigation and prepare a
report on the effects of tariffs and
nontariff measures on U.S. agricultural
exports to India. As requested, to the
extent possible, the report will
include—
(1) An overview of the Indian
agricultural market, including recent
trends in consumption, imports, and
domestic supply;
(2) a description of the principal
measures affecting Indian agricultural
imports, including tariffs, sanitary and
phytosanitary measures, food
regulations, packaging and labeling
requirements, pricing policies,
intellectual property policies, and
customs procedures;
(3) information on Indian government
regulations, including state regulations,
covering agricultural markets and
foreign direct investment affecting U.S.
agricultural products in India;
(4) an evaluation of the impact of
India’s food marketing and distribution
system, including market structure,
transportation infrastructure, and coldstorage capacity, on U.S. agricultural
products in the Indian market; and
(5) a quantitative analysis of the
economic effects of Indian tariffs, and to
the extent possible, nontariff measures
on U.S. agricultural exports to India.
The Committee requested that the
Commission deliver its report 10
months after receipt of the request letter,
or by November 12, 2009.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in
connection with this investigation will
be held at the U.S. International Trade
Commission Building, 500 E Street,
SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30
a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Requests to appear at the public hearing
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should be filed with the Secretary no
later than 5:15 p.m., March 24, 2009, in
accordance with the requirements in the
‘‘Submissions’’ section below. All
prehearing briefs and statements should
be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April
2, 2009; and all posthearing briefs and
statements responding to matters raised
at the hearing should be filed not later
than 5:15 p.m., April 28, 2009. In the
event that, as of the close of business on
March 24, 2009, no witnesses are
scheduled to appear at the hearing, the
hearing will be canceled. Any person
interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or nonparticipant may call the
Office of the Secretary (202–205–2000)
after March 24, 2009, for information
concerning whether the hearing will be
held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in
addition to participating in the hearing,
interested parties are invited to file
written submissions concerning this
investigation. All written submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary,
and all such submissions (other than
pre- and post-hearing briefs and
statements) should be received not later
than 5:15 p.m., June 26, 2009. All
written submissions must conform with
the provisions of section 201.8 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8
requires that a signed original (or a copy
so designated) and fourteen (14) copies
of each document be filed. In the event
that confidential treatment of a
document is requested, at least four (4)
additional copies must be filed, in
which the confidential information
must be deleted (see the following
paragraph for further information
regarding confidential business
information). The Commission’s rules
authorize filing submissions with the
Secretary by facsimile or electronic
means only to the extent permitted by
section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook
for Electronic Filing Procedures, https://
www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_
notices/rules/documents/handbook_on_
electronic_filing.pdf). Persons with
questions regarding electronic filing
should contact the Office of the
Secretary (202–205–2000).
Any submissions that contain
confidential business information must
also conform with the requirements of
section 201.6 of the Commission’s Rules
of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR
201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules
requires that the cover of the document
and the individual pages be clearly
marked as to whether they are the
‘‘confidential’’ or ‘‘nonconfidential’’
version, and that the confidential
business information be clearly
identified by means of brackets. All
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 29 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7260-7262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2727]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[DES 09-02]
Aspinall Unit, Colorado River Storage Project, CO
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Aspinall Unit Operations Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Federal agency
responsible for operation of the Aspinall Unit, has prepared and made
available to the public a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)
on Aspinall Unit operations pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C.
4332.
DATES: A public review period commences with the publication of this
notice. Written comments on the DEIS
[[Page 7261]]
are due by Friday, April 24, 2009, and should be submitted to Steve
McCall at the address given below. Public hearings will be held during
the month of April in Gunnison and Delta, Colorado. The public hearings
schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009--6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.--Gunnison
County Fairgrounds, 275 S. Spruce Street, Gunnison, Colorado.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009--6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.--Bill
Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Gunnison River Drive, Delta, Colorado.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the DEIS and requests for copies should
be addressed to Steve McCall, Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado
Area Office, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, Colorado
81506; telephone (970) 248-0638; facsimile (970) 248-0601; e-mail:
smccall@uc.usbr.gov. The DEIS is also available on Reclamation's Web
site at https://www.usbr.gov/uc/ (click on Environmental Documents).
Copies of the DEIS are available for public review and inspection
at the following locations:
Main Interior Building, Natural Resources Library, Room
1151, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240-0001.
Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Denver
Federal Center, Sixth and Kipling, Building 67, Room 167, Denver,
Colorado 80225-0007.
Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, 125
South State Street, Room 7418, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1147.
Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 2764
Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506.
Libraries
Delta County Public Library, Delta, Colorado.
Mesa County Public Library, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Montrose County Public Library, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Gunnison County Library, Gunnison, Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve McCall, Bureau of Reclamation,
Western Colorado Area Office, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand
Junction, Colorado 81506; telephone (970) 248-0638; facsimile (970)
248-0601; e-mail: smccall@uc.usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS describes the environmental impacts
of alternatives to operate the Aspinall Unit to assist in implementing
flow recommendations for endangered fish provided by the Upper Colorado
River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program). Under the
direction of the Recovery Program, Aspinall Unit releases were
evaluated beginning in 1992. At the completion of the research, the
Recovery Program published the Flow Recommendations to Benefit
Endangered Fishes in the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers (McAda, 2003).
The recommendations include spring peak and base flow targets for
various hydrologic conditions in the Gunnison River Basin.
The purpose of modifying operations of the Aspinall Unit is to
provide sufficient releases of water at times, quantities, and duration
necessary to avoid jeopardy to endangered fish species and adverse
modification of their designated critical habitat in the lower Gunnison
River while maintaining the authorized purposes of the Aspinall Unit.
The Upper Colorado River Basin at one time was inhabited by 14
native fish species, four of which are now endangered. These four fish
are the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail, and humpback
chub. They exist only in the Colorado River Basin. The four fish are
endangered because of adverse impacts to their habitat over the last
125 years. The two types of habitat impacts that appear to have had the
greatest effect have been water development and introduction of non-
native fish (McAda, 2003).
Reclamation is required to comply with the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) for operation of its facilities, including the Aspinall Unit.
Within the exercise of its discretionary authority, Reclamation must
avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species and
destroying or adversely modifying designated critical habitat.
Background
The Aspinall Unit, located on the Gunnison River in western
Colorado, is an authorized storage unit of the Colorado River Storage
Project (CRSP). The Aspinall Unit includes three dams and reservoirs
(Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal) along a 40-mile reach of the
Gunnison River. The Aspinall Unit is one of the four key features of
the CRSP intended to develop the water resources of the Upper Colorado
River Basin and is operated in accordance with the CRSP Act and
applicable Reclamation and other Federal laws.
Purpose and Need for Action
Under the proposed action, the Aspinall Unit will be operated to
avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of, and assist in the
recovery of, the endangered fishes. This will help facilitate future
water development to proceed in the Upper Colorado River Basin in
compliance with applicable laws, compacts, court decrees, and Indian
trust responsibilities. The proposed action is needed because
Reclamation is required to comply with the Endangered Species Act for
the operation of facilities, including the Aspinall Unit. Within the
exercise of its discretionary authority, Reclamation must avoid
jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species or adversely
modifying designated critical habitat.
Proposed Federal Action
Reclamation proposes to operate the Aspinall Unit to avoid
jeopardizing the continued existence of downstream endangered fish
species while maintaining and continuing to meet all of the project's
authorized purposes. Reclamation would implement the proposed action by
modifying the operations of the Aspinall Unit, to the extent possible,
to help achieve river flows recommended by the Recovery Program. This
change in Aspinall Unit operations would assist in conserving
endangered fish in the Gunnison and Colorado rivers and would maintain
authorized project purposes.
Hearing Process Information: Oral comments at the hearings will be
limited to five minutes. The hearing officer may allow any speaker to
provide additional oral comments after all persons wishing to comment
have been heard. All comments will be formally recorded. Speakers not
present when called will lose their privilege in the scheduled order
and will be recalled at the end of the scheduled speakers. Speakers are
encouraged to provide written versions of their oral comments, and any
other additional written materials, for the hearing/administrative
record.
Written comments should be received by Reclamation's Western
Colorado Area Office using the contact information provided above no
later than Friday, April 24, 2009, for inclusion in the hearing/
administrative record. Under the NEPA process, written and oral
comments, received by the due date, are given the same consideration.
Written comments, Reclamation responses, and public hearing statements
(oral comments) will be used in the preparation of the final
environmental impact statement.
Public Disclosure
Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address,
or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should
be aware that
[[Page 7262]]
your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in
your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Dated: January 15, 2009.
Ann Gold,
Acting Regional Director--UC Region.
[FR Doc. E9-2727 Filed 2-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P