Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, New Mexico, 31973-31975 [E9-15650]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 127 / Monday, July 6, 2009 / Notices
normal business hours, at the listed
addresses.
• Spotfin chub, Tar River
spinymussel, mountain sweet pitcher
plant, Heller’s blazing star, bunched
arrowhead, and white irisette: Asheville
Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville,
North Carolina, 28801, fax 828/258–
5330. For information on the spotfin
chub, contact Bob Butler at the address
above (phone 828/258–3939 ext. 235, email bob_butler@fws.gov). For the Tar
River spinymussel, contact John Fridell
at the address above (828/258–3939 ext.
225, e-mail john_fridell@fws.gov). For
the bunched arrowhead, Heller’s blazing
star, mountain sweet pitcher plant, and
white irisette, contact Carolyn Wells at
the address above (phone 828/258–3939
ext. 231, e-mail carolyn_wells@fws.gov).
• Amber darter, Etowah darter, and
Cherokee darter: Athens Field Office,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West
Park Center Suite D, 105 West Park
Drive, Athens, Georgia, 30606, fax 706/
613–6059. For information on the amber
darter, Etowah darter, and Cherokee
darter, contact Robin Goodloe at the
Athens Field Office, address above
(phone 706/613–9493 ext. 221, e-mail
robin_goodloe@fws.gov).
• Bluemask darter, Anthony’s
riversnail, Spring Creek bladderpod,
Price’s potato-bean, and Cumberland
rosemary: Cookeville Field Office, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 446 Neal
Street, Cookeville, Tennessee, 38501,
fax 931/528–7075. For information on
the bluemask darter, Spring Creek
bladderpod, Price’s potato-bean, and
Cumberland rosemary, contact Geoff
Call at the Cookeville Field Office,
address above (phone 931/528–6481 ext.
213, e-mail geoff_call@fws.gov). For the
Anthony’s riversnail, contact Stephanie
Chance at the Cookeville Field Office,
address above (phone 931/528–6481 ext.
211, e-mail stephanie_chance@fws.gov).
• Magazine Mountain shagreen:
Conway Field Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 110 South Amity
Road, Suite 300, Conway, Arkansas,
72032, fax 501/513–4480. For
information on the Magazine Mountain
shagreen, contact Chris Davidson at the
Conway Field Office, address above
(phone 501/513–4481, e-mail
chris_davidson@fws.gov).
• Alabama sturgeon and Tennessee
yellow-eyed grass: Daphne Field Office,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1208–B
Main Street, Daphne, Alabama, 36526,
fax 251/441–6222. For information on
the Tennessee yellow-eyed grass,
contact Dan Everson at the Daphne
Field Office, address above (phone 251/
441–5837, e-mail
dan_everson@fws.gov). For the Alabama
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17:06 Jul 02, 2009
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sturgeon, contact Jeff Powell at the
Daphne Field Office, address above
(phone 251/441–5858, e-mail
jeff_powell@fws.gov).
• Flattened musk turtle, Mississippi
gopher frog, and Cahaba shiner: Jackson
Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway,
Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213, fax
601/965–4340. For information on the
flattened musk turtle and Cahaba shiner,
contact Daniel Drennen at the Jackson
Field Office, address above (phone 601/
321–1127, e-mail
daniel_drennen@fws.gov). For the
Mississippi gopher frog, contact Linda
LaClaire at the Jackson Field Office,
address above (phone 601/321–1126, email linda_laclaire@fws.gov).
• Cape Fear shiner, Waccamaw
silverside, and Saint Francis’ satyr
butterfly: Raleigh Field Office, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, PO Box 33726,
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27636, fax 919/
856–4556. For information on the Cape
Fear shiner and Waccamaw silverside,
contact David Rabon at the Raleigh
Field Office, address above (phone 919/
856–4520 ext. 16, e-mail
david_rabon@fws.gov). For the Saint
Francis’ satyr butterfly, contact Dale
Suiter at the Raleigh Field Office,
address above (phone 919/856–4520 ext.
18, e-mail dale_suiter@fws.gov).
We request any new information
concerning the status of any of these 23
species. See ‘‘What information do we
consider in a 5-year review?’’ heading
for specific criteria. Information
submitted should be supported by
documentation such as maps,
bibliographic references, methods used
to gather and analyze the data, and/or
copies of any pertinent publications,
reports, or letters by knowledgeable
sources.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that the
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.
Authority
We publish this document under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
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31973
Dated: June 4, 2009.
Linda H. Kelsey,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. E9–15918 Filed 7–2–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project,
New Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
Planning Report and Final
Environmental Impact Statement FES
09–10.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as
amended), Public Law (Pub. L.) 92–199,
and the general authority to conduct
water resources planning under the
Reclamation Act of 1902 and all acts
amendatory thereof and supplementary
thereto, the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation), in cooperation with the
Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation,
City of Gallup, State of New Mexico,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Heath
Service, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority,
and Northwest New Mexico Council of
Governments, has prepared and made
available to the public a Planning
Report and Final Environmental Impact
Statement (PR/FEIS). This document
was undertaken to provide a discussion
for the (1) Various ways to provide a
municipal and industrial (M&I) water
supply to the Navajo Nation, City of
Gallup, and Jicarilla Apache Nation; (2)
identification of a preferred alternative;
and (3) associated environmental
impacts and costs of the No Action and
two action alternatives.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies should
be addressed to Mr. Terry Stroh, Bureau
of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area
Office, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106,
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506;
telephone (970) 248–0608; facsimile
(970) 248–0601; e-mail: tstroh@usbr.gov.
The PR/FEIS is also available on
Reclamation’s Web site at https://
www.usbr.gov/uc/ (click on
Environmental Documents).
Copies of the PR/FEIS 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.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Denver
Office Library, Denver Federal Center,
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 127 / Monday, July 6, 2009 / Notices
Sixth and Kipling, Building 67, Room
167, Denver, Colorado.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Regional Office, 125 South
State Street, Room 7418, Salt Lake City,
Utah.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Western
Colorado Area Office, 835 East Second
Avenue, Durango, Colorado.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Western
Colorado Area Office, 2764 Compass
Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction,
Colorado.
• Bureau of Reclamation, Farmington
Construction Office, 220 Bloomfield
Highway, Farmington, New Mexico.
Libraries
• Albuquerque/Bernalillo County
Library, 501 Cooper Avenue, NW.,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Aztec Public Library, 319 South
Ash, Aztec, New Mexico.
• Bloomfield City Library, 333 South
First Street, Bloomfield, New Mexico.
• Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park,
Cortez, Colorado.
´
• Dine College Library, 1228 Yucca
Street, Shiprock, New Mexico.
• Durango Public Library, 1188 E.
2nd Avenue, Durango, Colorado.
• Farmington Public Library, 2101
Farmington Avenue, Farmington, New
Mexico.
• Fort Lewis College Library, 1000
Rim Drive, Durango, Colorado.
• Navajo Nation Library, Window
Rock, Arizona.
• New Mexico State Library, 1209
Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
• New Mexico State University
Library, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
• San Juan College Library, 4601
College Boulevard, Farmington, New
Mexico.
• University of Colorado Libraries,
Government Publications, 1720 Pleasant
Street, Boulder, Colorado.
• Zimmerman Library, Government
Information Department, University of
New Mexico, Albuquerque, New
Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Stan Powers, Bureau of Reclamation,
Western Colorado Area Office, 835 East
Second Avenue, Durango, Colorado
81301; telephone (970) 385–6555;
facsimile (970) 385–6539; e-mail:
spowers@usbr.gov.
The PR/
FEIS describes the potential
environmental impacts of constructing,
operating, and maintaining a water
supply system to meet project year 2040
water demands. The purpose of the
proposed Federal action is to provide a
long-term supply, treatment, and
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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transmission of M&I water to the eastern
portion of the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla
Apache Nation, and City of Gallup, New
Mexico. Construction of the NavajoGallup Water Supply Project was
authorized in the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–
11).
The PR/FEIS describes and analyzes
in detail three alternatives. Under the
No Action Alternative, it is assumed
that M&I water supplies and delivery
systems would not be constructed on
the eastern side of the Navajo Nation,
for the City of Gallup, or for the
southwestern area of the Jicarilla
Apache Nation. Under the two action
alternatives, the project would divert a
total of 37,764 acre-feet of water per
year from the San Juan River with a
resulting depletion of 35,893 acre-feet,
based upon the 2040 projected
population with a demand rate of 160
gallons per capita per day.
Under the San Juan River-Public
Service Company of New Mexico (SJR–
PNM) Alternative, the Cutter diversion
would require 4,645 acre-feet per year
with no return flow to the San Juan
River. The Public Service Company of
New Mexico diversion would take the
remaining 33,119 acre-feet of diversion,
with an average return flow of 1,871
acre-feet.
The Navajo Indian Irrigation ProjectAmarillo Alternative would divert all
project water through improved NIIP
facilities using both Cutter Reservoir
and the Amarillo Canal. This alternative
also requires the construction of a 4,500
acre-foot lined storage pond located
near the Amarillo Canal.
The PR/FEIS identifies the SJR–PNM
Alternative as the preferred alternative.
Public Law 111–11 authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary),
acting through the Commissioner of
Reclamation (Commissioner), to design,
construct, operate, and maintain the
project in substantial accordance with
the preferred alternative (SJR–PNM)
described in the Planning Report and
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(PR/DEIS).
Background
The project area includes portions of
the Navajo Nation in northwestern New
Mexico and northeastern Arizona, and
portions of the Jicarilla Apache Nation
and the City of Gallup, New Mexico.
Project planning has been intermittent
over the past 40 years. A project steering
committee included representatives
from the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache
Nation, City of Gallup, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Indian Health Service, Navajo
Tribal Utility Authority, Northwest New
Mexico Council of Governments, and
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Reclamation. Funding for the project
has mostly been through annual
congressional write-in funds and cost
sharing by the Navajo and Jicarilla
Apache Nations. The level of the
analysis (appraisal versus feasibility
level work) has been tailored to stay
within the funds available. The PR/FEIS
includes appraisal-level alternative
designs and cost estimates. The
Secretary, acting through the
Commissioner, is authorized to design,
construct, operate, and maintain the
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project as
described in Public Law 111–11.
Purpose and Need for Action
The proposed project is to provide a
long-term (year 2040) supply, treatment,
and transmission of M&I water to the
Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation,
and the City of Gallup, New Mexico.
A long-term sustainable water supply
is needed for the area to support current
and future populations. The proposed
project will be designed to serve a future
population of approximately 250,000
people by the year 2040. Existing
groundwater supplies are dwindling,
have limited capacity, and are of poor
quality. More than 40 percent of Navajo
households rely on water hauling to
meet daily water needs. The City of
Gallup’s groundwater levels have
dropped by approximately 200 feet over
the past 10 years and the supply is not
expected to meet current water demands
within the decade. The Jicarilla Apache
people are currently not able to live and
work outside the Town of Dulce on the
reservation because of a lack of water
supply.
Proposed Federal Action
The proposed project would build
facilities to convey a reliable M&I water
supply from Navajo Reservoir to the
eastern section of the Navajo Nation, the
southwestern portion of the Jicarilla
Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup,
New Mexico. Based upon expected
populations in the year 2040, the
proposed project would serve
approximately 203,000 people in 43
chapters of the Navajo Nation, 1,300
people in the Jicarilla Apache Nation,
and approximately 47,000 people in the
City of Gallup.
The PR/DEIS was issued to the public
on March 30, 2007, and a Notice of
Availability of the draft EIS was
published in the Federal Register on
March 30, 2007 (72 FR 15159–15161). A
90-day public review and comment
period for the PR/DEIS ended on June
28, 2007. During the public comment
period, five public hearings were held.
There were approximately 280
comments identified from letters and
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 127 / Monday, July 6, 2009 / Notices
public hearings that were addressed for
inclusion in the PR/FEIS. Where
appropriate, revisions were made in
response to specific comments.
No decision will be made on the
proposed Federal action until at least 30
days after release of the PR/FEIS. After
the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation
will complete a Record of Decision. The
Record of Decision will state which
alternative analyzed in the PR/FEIS will
be implemented and discuss all factors
leading to that decision.
Dated: June 5, 2009.
Larry Walkoviak,
Regional Director—UC Region.
[FR Doc. E9–15650 Filed 7–2–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 731–TA–1012 (Review)]
Certain Frozen Fish Fillets From
Vietnam; Determination
On the basis of the record 1 developed
in the subject five-year review, the
United States International Trade
Commission (Commission) determines,
pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)), that
revocation of the antidumping duty
order on certain frozen fish fillets from
Vietnam would be likely to lead to
continuation or recurrence of material
injury to an industry in the United
States within a reasonably foreseeable
time.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Background
The Commission instituted this
review on July 1, 2008 (73 FR 37487)
and determined on October 6, 2008 that
it would conduct a full review (73 FR
62318, October 20, 2008). Notice of the
scheduling of the Commission’s review
and of a public hearing to be held in
connection therewith was given by
posting copies of the notice in the Office
of the Secretary, U.S. International
Trade Commission, Washington, DC,
and by publishing the notice in the
Federal Register on January 15, 2009
(74 FR 2616). The hearing was held in
Washington, DC, on May 6, 2009, and
all persons who requested the
opportunity were permitted to appear in
person or by counsel.
The Commission transmitted its
determination in this review to the
Secretary of Commerce on June 26,
2009. The views of the Commission are
1 The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
CFR 207.2(f)).
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17:06 Jul 02, 2009
Jkt 217001
contained in USITC Publication 4083
(June 2009), entitled Certain Frozen Fish
Fillets from Vietnam: Investigation No.
731–TA–1012 (Review).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 26, 2009.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E9–15797 Filed 7–2–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Inv. No. 337–TA–543 (Remand Proceeding)
(Enforcement Proceeding)]
In the Matter of Certain Baseband
Processor Chips and Chipsets,
Transmitter and Receiver (Radio)
Chips, Power Control Chips, and
Products Containing Same, Including
Cellular Telephone Handsets; Notice of
Commission Determination Not To
Review an Initial Determination
Terminating the Investigation Based
on a Settlement Agreement
AGENCY: U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined not to
review the presiding administrative law
judge’s (‘‘ALJ’’) initial determination
(‘‘ID’’) (Order No. 74) granting a joint
motion to terminate the investigation
based on a settlement agreement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel E. Valencia, Office of the General
Counsel, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
205–1999. Copies of non-confidential
documents filed in connection with this
investigation are or will be available for
inspection during official business
hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205–2000. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired
persons are advised that information on
this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June
21, 2005, the Commission instituted an
investigation under section 337 of the
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31975
Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1337, based
on a complaint filed by Broadcom
Corporation (‘‘Broadcom’’) of Irvine,
California, alleging a violation of section
337 in the importation, sale for
importation, and sale within the United
States after importation of certain
baseband processor chips and chipsets,
transmitter and receiver (radio) chips,
power control chips, and products
containing same, including cellular
telephone handsets by reason of
infringement of five patents. 70 FR
35707 (June 21, 2005). Broadcom named
Qualcomm Incorporated (‘‘Qualcomm’’)
of San Diego, California as the only
respondent. On December 8, 2006, the
Commission affirmed the ALJ’s final ID
finding a violation due to infringement
of U.S. Patent No. 6,714,983. On June 7,
2007 the Commission issued a limited
exclusion order and a cease and desist
order to Qualcomm. Qualcomm
appealed the Commission’s
determination to the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit
(‘‘Federal Circuit’’) on August 7, 2007,
which appeal was consolidated under
the lead case Kyocera Wireless Corp. v.
International Trade Commission, Nos.
2007–1492, et al. (‘‘Kyocera’’).
On November 9, 2007, Broadcom filed
an enforcement complaint pursuant to
Commission Rule 210.75, alleging, inter
alia, that Qualcomm has violated and
continues to violate the Commission’s
cease and desist order. Based on
Broadcom’s complaint, the Commission
instituted the enforcement proceeding
on December 28, 2007. 72 FR 73879
(Dec. 28, 2007). On October 14, 2008,
the Federal Circuit issued an opinion in
Kyocera, remanding the underlying
investigation to the Commission.
On May 6, 2009, Broadcom and
Qualcomm jointly moved to terminate
this investigation based upon a
settlement agreement, pursuant to
Commission rule 210.21 (19 CFR
210.21). On May 15, 2009, the
Commission investigative attorney filed
a response in support of the joint
motion to terminate the investigation.
On June 11, 2009, the ALJ issued the
subject ID granting the joint motion to
terminate the investigation. No petitions
for review of the ID were filed. The
Commission has determined not to
review the subject ID.
The authority for the Commission’s
determination is contained in section
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in
section 210.42 of the Commission’s
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR
210.42).
Dated: Issued: June 30, 2009.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31973-31975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15650]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, New Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply
Project Planning Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement FES
09-10.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as
amended), Public Law (Pub. L.) 92-199, and the general authority to
conduct water resources planning under the Reclamation Act of 1902 and
all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, the Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation), in cooperation with the Navajo Nation,
Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Gallup, State of New Mexico, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Indian Heath Service, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority,
and Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, has prepared and made
available to the public a Planning Report and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (PR/FEIS). This document was undertaken to provide a
discussion for the (1) Various ways to provide a municipal and
industrial (M&I) water supply to the Navajo Nation, City of Gallup, and
Jicarilla Apache Nation; (2) identification of a preferred alternative;
and (3) associated environmental impacts and costs of the No Action and
two action alternatives.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies should be addressed to Mr. Terry Stroh,
Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 2764 Compass
Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506; telephone (970) 248-
0608; facsimile (970) 248-0601; e-mail: tstroh@usbr.gov. The PR/FEIS is
also available on Reclamation's Web site at https://www.usbr.gov/uc/
(click on Environmental Documents).
Copies of the PR/FEIS 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.
Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Denver
Federal Center,
[[Page 31974]]
Sixth and Kipling, Building 67, Room 167, Denver, Colorado.
Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, 125
South State Street, Room 7418, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 835
East Second Avenue, Durango, Colorado.
Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 2764
Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Bureau of Reclamation, Farmington Construction Office, 220
Bloomfield Highway, Farmington, New Mexico.
Libraries
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library, 501 Cooper Avenue,
NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Aztec Public Library, 319 South Ash, Aztec, New Mexico.
Bloomfield City Library, 333 South First Street,
Bloomfield, New Mexico.
Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park, Cortez, Colorado.
Din[eacute] College Library, 1228 Yucca Street, Shiprock,
New Mexico.
Durango Public Library, 1188 E. 2nd Avenue, Durango,
Colorado.
Farmington Public Library, 2101 Farmington Avenue,
Farmington, New Mexico.
Fort Lewis College Library, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango,
Colorado.
Navajo Nation Library, Window Rock, Arizona.
New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa
Fe, New Mexico.
New Mexico State University Library, Las Cruces, New
Mexico.
San Juan College Library, 4601 College Boulevard,
Farmington, New Mexico.
University of Colorado Libraries, Government Publications,
1720 Pleasant Street, Boulder, Colorado.
Zimmerman Library, Government Information Department,
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stan Powers, Bureau of
Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 835 East Second Avenue,
Durango, Colorado 81301; telephone (970) 385-6555; facsimile (970) 385-
6539; e-mail: spowers@usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PR/FEIS describes the potential
environmental impacts of constructing, operating, and maintaining a
water supply system to meet project year 2040 water demands. The
purpose of the proposed Federal action is to provide a long-term
supply, treatment, and transmission of M&I water to the eastern portion
of the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, and City of Gallup, New
Mexico. Construction of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project was
authorized in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L.
111-11).
The PR/FEIS describes and analyzes in detail three alternatives.
Under the No Action Alternative, it is assumed that M&I water supplies
and delivery systems would not be constructed on the eastern side of
the Navajo Nation, for the City of Gallup, or for the southwestern area
of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Under the two action alternatives, the
project would divert a total of 37,764 acre-feet of water per year from
the San Juan River with a resulting depletion of 35,893 acre-feet,
based upon the 2040 projected population with a demand rate of 160
gallons per capita per day.
Under the San Juan River-Public Service Company of New Mexico (SJR-
PNM) Alternative, the Cutter diversion would require 4,645 acre-feet
per year with no return flow to the San Juan River. The Public Service
Company of New Mexico diversion would take the remaining 33,119 acre-
feet of diversion, with an average return flow of 1,871 acre-feet.
The Navajo Indian Irrigation Project-Amarillo Alternative would
divert all project water through improved NIIP facilities using both
Cutter Reservoir and the Amarillo Canal. This alternative also requires
the construction of a 4,500 acre-foot lined storage pond located near
the Amarillo Canal.
The PR/FEIS identifies the SJR-PNM Alternative as the preferred
alternative. Public Law 111-11 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary), acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation
(Commissioner), to design, construct, operate, and maintain the project
in substantial accordance with the preferred alternative (SJR-PNM)
described in the Planning Report and Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (PR/DEIS).
Background
The project area includes portions of the Navajo Nation in
northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona, and portions of the
Jicarilla Apache Nation and the City of Gallup, New Mexico. Project
planning has been intermittent over the past 40 years. A project
steering committee included representatives from the Navajo Nation,
Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Gallup, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Indian Health Service, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Northwest New
Mexico Council of Governments, and Reclamation. Funding for the project
has mostly been through annual congressional write-in funds and cost
sharing by the Navajo and Jicarilla Apache Nations. The level of the
analysis (appraisal versus feasibility level work) has been tailored to
stay within the funds available. The PR/FEIS includes appraisal-level
alternative designs and cost estimates. The Secretary, acting through
the Commissioner, is authorized to design, construct, operate, and
maintain the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project as described in Public
Law 111-11.
Purpose and Need for Action
The proposed project is to provide a long-term (year 2040) supply,
treatment, and transmission of M&I water to the Navajo Nation,
Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup, New Mexico.
A long-term sustainable water supply is needed for the area to
support current and future populations. The proposed project will be
designed to serve a future population of approximately 250,000 people
by the year 2040. Existing groundwater supplies are dwindling, have
limited capacity, and are of poor quality. More than 40 percent of
Navajo households rely on water hauling to meet daily water needs. The
City of Gallup's groundwater levels have dropped by approximately 200
feet over the past 10 years and the supply is not expected to meet
current water demands within the decade. The Jicarilla Apache people
are currently not able to live and work outside the Town of Dulce on
the reservation because of a lack of water supply.
Proposed Federal Action
The proposed project would build facilities to convey a reliable
M&I water supply from Navajo Reservoir to the eastern section of the
Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation,
and the City of Gallup, New Mexico. Based upon expected populations in
the year 2040, the proposed project would serve approximately 203,000
people in 43 chapters of the Navajo Nation, 1,300 people in the
Jicarilla Apache Nation, and approximately 47,000 people in the City of
Gallup.
The PR/DEIS was issued to the public on March 30, 2007, and a
Notice of Availability of the draft EIS was published in the Federal
Register on March 30, 2007 (72 FR 15159-15161). A 90-day public review
and comment period for the PR/DEIS ended on June 28, 2007. During the
public comment period, five public hearings were held. There were
approximately 280 comments identified from letters and
[[Page 31975]]
public hearings that were addressed for inclusion in the PR/FEIS. Where
appropriate, revisions were made in response to specific comments.
No decision will be made on the proposed Federal action until at
least 30 days after release of the PR/FEIS. After the 30-day waiting
period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision. The Record of
Decision will state which alternative analyzed in the PR/FEIS will be
implemented and discuss all factors leading to that decision.
Dated: June 5, 2009.
Larry Walkoviak,
Regional Director--UC Region.
[FR Doc. E9-15650 Filed 7-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P
