Walker River Basin Acquisition Program, 36737-36738 [E9-17675]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 141 / Friday, July 24, 2009 / Notices publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media news releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: Web Site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/ palmsprings. • E-mail: mbennett@ca.blm.gov. • Fax: (760) 833–7199. • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Copies of the Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Santa Ana Wash Land Exchange are available for review at the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office and via the Internet at https:// www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings. Electronic (on CD–ROM) or paper copies may also be obtained by contacting Michael Bennett at the addresses and phone number below. Before including your 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 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Bennett; Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; (760) 833– 7139; mbennett@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS analyzes a proposed exchange of ownership of approximately 315 acres of BLM land with approximately 320 acres of land owned by the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (District), and the amendment of the South Coast Resource Management Plan (SCRMP) to support this exchange. Additional lands, including up to 85 acres of BLM lands (Federal lands managed by the BLM) and up to 60 acres of District land, will be exchanged if necessary to equalize values. The lands proposed for exchange are located within the Santa Ana River Wash in southwestern San Bernardino County, California. A primary purpose of the exchange is for the BLM to dispose of isolated lands which have been previously degraded by mining VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:55 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 activities within the Santa Ana River Wash ACEC, and in exchange, to acquire District lands with high habitat value. Lands acquired by the BLM through the proposed exchange would be given the ACEC land use designation. These lands would also become part of the planned multi-jurisdictional, multispecies Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) described in the 2008 Upper Santa Ana River Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan (Wash Plan). Of the lands acquired by the District, approximately 259 acres would be leased for mining and approximately 56 acres would be set aside for habitat conservation. This action would fulfill the need for a comprehensive solution to competitive land uses within the Wash Plan Area by preserving unique habitats under the BLM ACEC while allowing mineral development and other uses to occur in predominantly disturbed areas. These Federal actions are analyzed in the Draft EIS. A Record of Decision for the proposed land exchange and plan amendment will be prepared following the Final EIS in accordance with the planning regulations at 43 CFR 1610 and the NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. The Notice of Intent to publish this EIS was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2004. Public workshops and scoping meetings were held in the cities of Highland and Redlands in May 2004. Predominant issues identified so far include threatened, endangered, and other special status species, mineral resources, water resources, recreation, visual resources, cultural resources, land management, and traffic management. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 43 CFR 1610.2. John R. Kalish, Field Manager. [FR Doc. E9–17574 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Walker River Basin Acquisition Program AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comment the Draft EIS for the Walker River Basin Acquisition Program. (Acquisition PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36737 Program). Reclamation is directed in Public Law 109–103 to provide $70 million in funding to the University of Nevada to implement a program for environmental restoration in the Walker River Basin. The law directs that the funds be used by the University to acquire from willing sellers land, water appurtenant to the land, and related interests in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. Acquired water rights would be transferred to provide water to Walker Lake. The funding is also for the University to establish and operate an agricultural and natural resources center. The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of the Acquisition Program on the affected communities, tribes, and environmental resources of the Walker River Basin in Nevada. DATES: Submit written comments on the draft environmental document on or before [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF EPA’S PUBLICATION OF EISES REICEVED]. Public meetings will be held to discuss the purpose and content of the draft environmental document and to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft environmental document. Written comments will also be accepted at the public meetings. The meetings dates and times are: • Monday, August 17, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Reno, NV; • Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Yerington, NV; • Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Wellington, NV; • Thursday, August 20, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Hawthorne, NV. ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at: • Rancho San Rafael County Park, Main Ranch House, 1595 N. Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89503; • Casino West Convention Center, 11 North Main Street, Yerington, NV 89447; • Smith Valley Community Center, 2783 Highway 208, Wellington, NV 89444; • Mineral County Public Library, First & ‘‘A’’ Street, Hawthorne, NV 89415. Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N Plaza, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701. Copies of the draft document may be requested from Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo at the above address, by calling 775–884–8352 or at chunttdecarlo@mp.usbr.gov. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the Draft EIS are available. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 36738 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 141 / Friday, July 24, 2009 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of Reclamation at the phone number or e-mail address above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1882, diversions from the Walker River, primarily for irrigated agriculture, have resulted in a steadily declining surface elevation of Walker Lake with a current net decrease of 150 feet. The decrease has resulted in negative impacts to water quality and lake ecology and congressional legislation has been passed to address the concerns. Section 2507 of Public Law 107–171 (Desert Terminal Lakes Program) appropriated funds to provide water to at-risk natural desert terminal lakes. Subsequent legislation in 2003 specified that the funding was to be used ‘‘only for the Pyramid, Summit, and Walker Lakes in the State of Nevada.’’ Additional legislation in 2006, Public Law 109–103, Title II, Section 208(a) allocated $70 million to be provided by Reclamation to the University of Nevada for acquisition, from willing sellers, for land, water appurtenant to the land, and related interests in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. The goal of the Acquisition Program is to acquire water rights sufficient to increase the longterm average annual inflow to Walker Lake by 50,000 acre-feet. The Draft EIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on the physical, natural, and human environment that may result from the Acquisition Program. The Draft EIS addresses potentially significant environmental issues. Three acquisition alternatives as well as the no action alternative are addressed. Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the following locations: • Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225 • Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240–0001; • Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Office Library, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1825, Sacramento, CA 95825– 1898; • Bureau of Reclamation, Lahontan Basin Area Office, 705 N Plaza, Room 320, NV 89701; • Lyon County Library—Smith Valley, 32 Day Lane, Smith Valley, NV 89444–0156; • Lyon County Library—Yerington, 20 Nevin Way, Yerington, NV 89447; • Mineral County Library— Hawthorne, P.O. Box 1390, Hawthorne, NV 89415; VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:55 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 • Walker River Paiute Tribe—P.O. Box 220, Schurz, NV 89427; • Yerington Paiute Tribe—171 Campbell Lane, Yerington, NV 89447. If special assistance is required at the public meetings, please contact Caryn Huntt DeCarlo at 775–884–8352 no less than five working days before the meeting to allow Reclamation to secure the needed services. If a request cannot be honored, the requestor will be notified. 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 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: February 27, 2009. Richard M. Johnson, Acting Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on July 21, 2009. [FR Doc. E9–17675 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLIDI01000–L71220000–PH0000– LVTF80230000; DDG–07–0010] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Three Rivers Stone Quarry Expansion AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Challis Field Office, announces the availability of the Three Rivers Stone Quarry Expansion Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS addresses a proposal submitted by L&W Stone Corporation to amend the existing Plan of Operations to allow for expansion of its existing building stone quarry. DATES: The FEIS is available for 30 days following publication of the Environmental Protection Agency Notice of Availability (NOA) in the PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Federal Register. The Record of Decision (ROD) will not be approved by the BLM for at least 30 days following publication of the NOA for the FEIS by the Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS are available upon request from the BLM Idaho Falls District Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401, phone 208–524–7530. You may request either a paper or an electronic (CD) copy. A copy of the FEIS is also available on the Internet at https:// www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/challis/nepa/ Three_Rivers.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Horsburgh, Project Manager, BLM Idaho Falls District, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, phone 208–524–7530, or fax 208–524–7505. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: L&W Stone Corporation mines locatable flagstone on public lands administered by the BLM’s Challis Field Office in Custer County, Idaho. L&W Stone submitted an Amended Plan of Operations for its quarry under the 43 CFR 3809 Regulations in December 2002. The BLM completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the Amended Plan of Operations, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in July 2004, and approved the project. As a result of a lawsuit that was filed objecting to that approval, the BLM was ordered by a Federal judge to prepare an EIS for the Amended Plan of Operations. A Notice of Intent to Prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2005, inviting comments on the scope of the EIS, concerns, issues, and proposed alternatives. Public scoping meetings were held during the 45-day public comment period in Challis, Idaho, on November 16, 2005, and in Boise, Idaho, on November 17, 2005. The Draft EIS was released for public review on December 14, 2007. Public meetings were held during the 45-day public comment period in Boise, Idaho, on January 16, 2008, and in Challis, Idaho, on January 17, 2008. A total of 13 written comments were received during this process. All comments were analyzed and appropriate changes or clarifications were incorporated into the FEIS. The comments and responses are appended to the FEIS. The BLM will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed project no earlier than 30 days following the publication of the NOA by the Environmental Protection Agency. Public comments will be accepted on the FEIS and will be considered as part E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 141 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36737-36738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17675]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Walker River Basin Acquisition Program

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meetings for the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS).

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for 
public review and comment the Draft EIS for the Walker River Basin 
Acquisition Program. (Acquisition Program). Reclamation is directed in 
Public Law 109-103 to provide $70 million in funding to the University 
of Nevada to implement a program for environmental restoration in the 
Walker River Basin. The law directs that the funds be used by the 
University to acquire from willing sellers land, water appurtenant to 
the land, and related interests in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. 
Acquired water rights would be transferred to provide water to Walker 
Lake. The funding is also for the University to establish and operate 
an agricultural and natural resources center.
    The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of the 
Acquisition Program on the affected communities, tribes, and 
environmental resources of the Walker River Basin in Nevada.

DATES: Submit written comments on the draft environmental document on 
or before [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF EPA'S PUBLICATION OF EISES 
REICEVED].
    Public meetings will be held to discuss the purpose and content of 
the draft environmental document and to provide the public an 
opportunity to comment on the draft environmental document. Written 
comments will also be accepted at the public meetings. The meetings 
dates and times are:
     Monday, August 17, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Reno, NV;
     Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Yerington, NV;
     Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Wellington, NV;
     Thursday, August 20, 2009, 6 to 8 p.m., Hawthorne, NV.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at:
     Rancho San Rafael County Park, Main Ranch House, 1595 N. 
Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89503;
     Casino West Convention Center, 11 North Main Street, 
Yerington, NV 89447;
     Smith Valley Community Center, 2783 Highway 208, 
Wellington, NV 89444;
     Mineral County Public Library, First & ``A'' Street, 
Hawthorne, NV 89415.

    Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to Mrs. Caryn 
Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N Plaza, Room 320, Carson 
City, NV 89701.
    Copies of the draft document may be requested from Mrs. Caryn Huntt 
DeCarlo at the above address, by calling 775-884-8352 or at 
chunttdecarlo@mp.usbr.gov. See Supplementary Information section for 
locations where copies of the Draft EIS are available.

[[Page 36738]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of 
Reclamation at the phone number or e-mail address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1882, diversions from the Walker 
River, primarily for irrigated agriculture, have resulted in a steadily 
declining surface elevation of Walker Lake with a current net decrease 
of 150 feet. The decrease has resulted in negative impacts to water 
quality and lake ecology and congressional legislation has been passed 
to address the concerns. Section 2507 of Public Law 107-171 (Desert 
Terminal Lakes Program) appropriated funds to provide water to at-risk 
natural desert terminal lakes. Subsequent legislation in 2003 specified 
that the funding was to be used ``only for the Pyramid, Summit, and 
Walker Lakes in the State of Nevada.'' Additional legislation in 2006, 
Public Law 109-103, Title II, Section 208(a) allocated $70 million to 
be provided by Reclamation to the University of Nevada for acquisition, 
from willing sellers, for land, water appurtenant to the land, and 
related interests in the Walker River Basin, Nevada. The goal of the 
Acquisition Program is to acquire water rights sufficient to increase 
the long-term average annual inflow to Walker Lake by 50,000 acre-feet.
    The Draft EIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
effects on the physical, natural, and human environment that may result 
from the Acquisition Program. The Draft EIS addresses potentially 
significant environmental issues. Three acquisition alternatives as 
well as the no action alternative are addressed.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, 
Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225
     Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 
20240-0001;
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Office 
Library, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1825, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898;
     Bureau of Reclamation, Lahontan Basin Area Office, 705 N 
Plaza, Room 320, NV 89701;
     Lyon County Library--Smith Valley, 32 Day Lane, Smith 
Valley, NV 89444-0156;
     Lyon County Library--Yerington, 20 Nevin Way, Yerington, 
NV 89447;
     Mineral County Library--Hawthorne, P.O. Box 1390, 
Hawthorne, NV 89415;
     Walker River Paiute Tribe--P.O. Box 220, Schurz, NV 89427;
     Yerington Paiute Tribe--171 Campbell Lane, Yerington, NV 
89447.

If special assistance is required at the public meetings, please 
contact Caryn Huntt DeCarlo at 775-884-8352 no less than five working 
days before the meeting to allow Reclamation to secure the needed 
services. If a request cannot be honored, the requestor will be 
notified.
    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 cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: February 27, 2009.
Richard M. Johnson,
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on July 21, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-17675 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P
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