Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects, 12197-12203 [2015-05265]
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12197
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[15X/A11220000.224100/AAK4004800/
AX.480ADM100000]
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation
Projects
AGENCY:
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
Notice of rate adjustments.
and rehabilitate these projects. We are
notifying you that we have adjusted the
irrigation assessment rates at several of
our irrigation projects and facilities to
reflect current costs of administration,
operation, maintenance, and
rehabilitation.
Effective Date: The irrigation
assessment rates shown in the tables as
final are effective as of January 1, 2014.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ACTION:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) owns, or has an interest in,
irrigation projects located on or
associated with various Indian
reservations throughout the United
States. We are required to establish
irrigation assessment rates to recover the
costs to administer, operate, maintain,
SUMMARY:
Did the BIA defer or change any
proposed rate increases?
A Notice
of Proposed Rate Adjustment was
Yes. The proposed notice indicated
that Proposed 2014 rate for Duck Valley
and Fort Yuma Irrigation Projects was
‘‘To Be Determined.’’ A final rate has
been determined and is reflected in the
Rate Table. The final rates established
here differ from the proposed rates for
the following Irrigation projects:
For
details about a particular BIA irrigation
project or facility, please use the tables
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section to contact the regional or local
office where the project or facility is
located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Project name
Did the BIA receive any comments on
the proposed irrigation assessment rate
adjustments?
Yes. Written comments were received
from the San Carlos Irrigation and
Drainage District (SCIDD), by letter
dated October 31, 2013, to the Assistant
Secretary—Indian Affairs, related to the
proposed rate adjustment for FY 2015
for the San Carlos Irrigation Project. A
letter from the Director, Bureau of
Indian Affairs dated December 12, 2013,
responded to SCIDD’s letter.
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What issues were of concern to the
commenters?
Comments received relate specifically
to one component of the San Carlos
Irrigation Project proposed FY 2015 rate:
The planned expenditure for repair of
the Coolidge Dam Cylinder Gates.
The BIA’s summary of SCIDD’s issue
and the BIA’s response are provided
below.
Comment: The recommended 2015
assessment of $35 per acre and
proposed budget of $3.5 million include
a planned expenditure of $1.8 million,
or $18 per acre, for the repair of the
Coolidge Dam Cylinder Gates. This
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Proposed
2014 rate
Rate category
Fort Hall Irrigation Project—Michaud ........................................................
Fort Peck Irrigation Project ........................................................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Units 2, 3 and 4 ........................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—LeClair District ..........................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Riverton Valley Irrigation District ..............
Pine River Irrigation Project .......................................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2014 (79 FR 3862) to
propose adjustments to the irrigation
assessment rates at several BIA
irrigation projects. The public and
interested parties were provided an
opportunity to submit written
comments during the 60-day period that
ended March 24, 2014.
Basic—per
Basic—per
Basic—per
Basic—per
Basic—per
Basic—per
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
acre
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................
$1,800,000 was collected in three
$500,000 previous payments in 2012,
2013, and 2014, and the 2015 budget
proposes an additional collection of
$300,000. We now understand that this
work will be funded through the BIA
Safety of Dams Program.
Response: The governing documents
of the San Carlos Irrigation Project
required the operation and maintenance
costs for the Project to be paid for by
assessments on the lands in the Project.
Accordingly, the Project has correctly
assessed and collected funds for repair
of the Coolidge Dam Cylinder Gates.
The BIA Safety of Dams Program is
funding an independent engineering
review of the designs and cost estimates
for the gate repair. The review will
produce final engineering designs and
drawings which the Project expects to
use for the repair work. The Project has
reiterated this point to SCIDD at recent
water user meetings.
Final
2014 rate
$47.50
25.00
22.10
28.82
21.02
16.00
$47.00
26.00
21.00
28.80
21.00
15.00
have a carriage agreement with one of
our irrigation projects.
Where can I get information on the
regulatory and legal citations in this
notice?
You can contact the appropriate
office(s) stated in the tables for the
irrigation project that serves you, or you
can use the Internet site for the
Government Publishing Office at
www.gpo.gov.
What authorizes you to issue this
notice?
Our authority to issue this notice is
vested in the Secretary of the Interior by
5 U.S.C. 301 and the Act of August 14,
1914 (38 Stat. 583; 25 U.S.C. 385). The
Secretary has in turn delegated this
authority to the Assistant Secretary—
Indian Affairs under Part 209, Chapter
8.1A, of the Department of the Interior’s
Departmental Manual.
Does this notice affect me?
Whom can I contact for further
information?
This notice affects you if you own or
lease land within the assessable acreage
of one of our irrigation projects or if you
The following tables are the regional
and project/agency contacts for our
irrigation facilities.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
Project name
Project/Agency Contacts
Northwest Region Contacts
Stanley Speaks, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232–4169, Telephone: (503) 231–
6702.
Fort Hall Irrigation Project
Randy Thompson, Acting Superintendent, David
Bollinger, Irrigation Project Manager, Fort Hall Agency,
P.O. Box 220, Fort Hall, ID 83203–0220, Telephone:
(208) 238–2301.
Wapato Irrigation Project
Edwin Lewis, Project Administrator, Wapato Irrigation
Project, P.O. Box 220, Wapato, WA 98951–0220,
Telephone: (509) 877–3155.
Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
Darryl LaCounte, Acting Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana
59101, Telephone: (406) 247–7943.
Project Name
Agency/Project Contacts
Thedis Crow, Acting Superintendent, Greg Tatsey, Irrigation Project Manager, Box 880, Browning, MT 59417,
Telephones: (406) 338–7544, Superintendent, (406)
338–7519, Irrigation Project Manager.
Vianna Stewart, Superintendent, Kyle Varvel, Irrigation
Project Manager, P.O. Box 69, Crow Agency, MT
59022, Telephones: (406) 638–2672, Superintendent,
(406) 638–2863, Irrigation Project Manager.
Susan Messerley, Acting Superintendent, Vacant, Irrigation Project Manager, (Project operations & management contracted to Tribes), R.R.1, Box 980, Harlem,
MT 59526, Telephones: (406) 353–2901, Superintendent, (406) 353–8454, Irrigation Project Manager
(Tribal Office).
Howard Beemer, Superintendent, Huber Wright, Acting
Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 637, Poplar, MT
59255, 602 6th Avenue North, Wolf Point, MT 59201,
Telephones: (406) 768–5312, Superintendent, (406)
653–1752, Irrigation Project Manager.
Norma Gourneau, Superintendent Vacant, Irrigation
Project Manager, P.O. Box 158, Fort Washakie, WY
82514, Telephones: (307) 332–7810, Superintendent
(307) 332–2596, Irrigation Project Manager.
Blackfeet Irrigation Project
Crow Irrigation Project
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project
Fort Peck Irrigation Project
Wind River Irrigation Project
Southwest Region Contacts
William T. Walker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico
87104, Telephone: (505) 563–3100.
Pine River Irrigation Project
Priscilla Bancroft, Acting Superintendent, Vickie Begay,
Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 315, Ignacio, CO
81137–0315, Telephones: (970) 563–4511, Superintendent, (970) 563–9484, Irrigation Project Manager
Western Region Contacts
Bryan Bowker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Regional Office, 2600 N. Central Ave., 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, Telephone: (602) 379–6600.
Project Name
Project/Agency Contacts
Kellie Youngbear, Superintendent, Gary Colvin, Irrigation
Project Manager, 12124 1st Avenue, Parker, AZ
85344, Telephone: (928) 669–7111.
Joseph McDade, Superintendent, (Project operations &
management compacted by the Tribes), 2719 Argent
Ave., Suite 4, Elko, NV 89801, Telephone: (775) 738–
5165, (208) 759–3100 (Tribal Office).
Irene Herder, Superintendent, 256 South Second Avenue, Suite D, Yuma, AZ 85364, Telephone: (928)
782–1202.
Ferris Begay, Project Manager, Clarence Begay, Irrigation Manager, 13805 N. Arizona Boulevard, Coolidge,
AZ 85228, Telephone: (520) 723–6223.
Colorado River Irrigation Project
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Duck Valley Irrigation Project
Fort Yuma Irrigation Project
San Carlos Irrigation Project, Indian Works and Joint Works
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
Project name
Project/Agency Contacts
Uintah Irrigation Project
Bart Stevens, Superintendent, P.O. Box 130, Fort
Duchesne, UT 84026, Telephone: (435) 722–4300,
Telephone: (435) 722–4341.
Marilyn Bitsillie, Acting Superintendent, 311 E. Washington Street, Carson City, NV 89701, Telephone:
(775) 887–3500.
Walker River Irrigation Project
What irrigation assessments or charges
are adjusted by this notice?
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The rate table below contains the
current rates for all irrigation projects
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where we recover costs of
administering, operating, maintaining,
and rehabilitating them. The table also
contains the final rates for the 2014
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season and subsequent years where
applicable. An asterisk immediately
following the name of the project notes
the irrigation projects where 2014 rates
are different from the 2013 rates.
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
Northwest Region Rate Table
Project Name
Rate
Category
Final
2013 Rate
Final
2014 Rate
Basic per acre
$47.00
$47.00
Minimum Charge per tract
$32.50
$32.50
Basic per acre
$24.00
$24.00
Minimum Charge per tract
$32.50
$32.50
Basic per acre
$47.50
$47.00
Pressure per acre
$65.50
$65.00
Minimum Charge per tract
$32.50
$32.50
Minimum Charge for per bill
$20.00
$23.00
Basic per acre
$21.00
$23.00
Minimum Charge per bill
$24.00
$24.00
Basic per acre
$24.00
$24.00
Minimum Charge for per bill
$71.00
$76.00
“A” Basic per acre
$71.00
$76.00
“B” Basic per acre
$77.00
$82.00
Minimum Charge per bill
$71.00
$71.00
Basic per acre
$71.00
$71.00
Minimum Charge
$79.00
$84.00
Basic per acre
$79.00
$84.00
Fort Hall Irrigation Project
Fort Hall Irrigation Project Minor Units
Fort Hall Irrigation Project –
Michaud
Wapato Irrigation Project –
Toppenish/Simcoe Units*
Wapato Irrigation Project Ahtanum Units
Wapato Irrigation Project Satus Unit*
Wapato Irrigation Project Additional Works
Wapato Irrigation Project -
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Water Rental*
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table
Project Name
Rate
Final
2013 Rate
Category
Final
2014 Rate
Blackfeet Irrigation Project
Basic-per acre
$19.50
$19.50
Crow Irrigation Project- Willow
Creek O&M (includes Agency,
Lodge Grass #1, Lodge Grass #2,
Reno, Upper Little Hom, and Forty
Mile Units)*
Basic-per acre
$23.80
$24.80
Crow Irrigation Project- All
Others (includes Bighorn, Soap
Creek, and Pryor Units)*
Basic-per acre
$23.50
$24.50
Crow Irrigation Two Leggins
Drainage Unit*
Basic-per acre
$14.00
$14.50
Crow Irrigation Two Leggins
Drainage District
Basic-per acre
$2.00
$2.00
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project
Basic-per acre
$15.00
$15.00
Fort Peck Irrigation Project
Basic-per acre
$25.00
$26.00
Wind River Irrigation ProjectUnits 2, 3 and 4*
Basic-per acre
$21.00
$21.00
Wind River Irrigation ProjectLeClair District*
Basic-per acre
$30.84
$28.80
Wind River Irrigation ProjectCrow Heart Unit
Basic-per acre
$14.00
$14.00
Wind River Irrigation Project- A
Canal Unit
Basic-per acre
$14.00
$14.00
Wind River Irrigation ProjectRiverton Valley Irrigation District*
Basic-per acre
$16.00
$21.00
Rate
Category
Final
2013 Rate
Final
2014 Rate
Minimum Charge per
tract
$50.00
$50.00
Basic-per acre
$15.00
$15.00
(see Note#1)
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Project Name
Pine River Irrigation Project*
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Southwest Region Rate Table
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
Western Region Rate Table
Project Name
Rate Category
Final
2013 Rate
Final
2014 Rate
Proposed 20 15 Rate
Colorado River
Irrigation Project
Basic per acre
$54.00
$54.00
To be determined
$17.00
$17.00
up to 5. 7 5 acre-feet
Excess Water
per acre-foot
over 5.75 acre-feet
Duck Valley
Irrigation Project
Basic per acre
$5.30
$5.30
Yuma Project,
Indian Unit
Basic per acre up to 5.0
acre-feet
$86.00
$91.00
(See Note #2)
Excess Water per acrefoot over 5.0 acre-feet
$14.00
$17.00
Basic per acre up to 5.0
acre-feet (Ranch 5)
$86.00
$91.00
Basic per acre
$30.00
$30.00
San Carlos
Irrigation Project
(Joint Works)
(See Note #3)
$35.00
Final2013- 2015 Construction Water Rate Schedule:
Off Project
Construction
On Project
Construction Gravity Water
On Project
Construction Pump Water
Administrative
Fee
$300.00
$300.00
$300.00
Usage Fee
$250.00 per
month
No Fee
$100.00 per
acre-foot
Excess Water
Ratet
$5 per 1000 gal
No charge
No charge
tThe excess water rate applies to all water used in excess of 50,000 gallons in any one
month.
San Carlos
Irrigation Project
(Indian Works)
Basic per acre
$81.00
$81.00
Uintah Irrigation
Project*
Basic per acre
$16.00
$18.00
Minimum Bill
$25.00
$25.00
Walker River
Irrigation Project
Indian per acre
$28.00
$28.00
non-Indian per acre
$28.00
To be determined
$28.00
* Notes irrigation projects where rates
are proposed for adjustment.
Note #1—The Operation and
Maintenance (O&M) rate varies yearly
based upon the budget submitted by the
LeClair District.
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Note #2—The O&M rate for the Yuma
Project, Indian Unit has two
components. The first component is the
O&M rate established by the Bureau of
Reclamation (BOR), the owner and
operator of the Project. The BOR rate for
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2014 is $89.50/acre. The second
component is for the O&M rate
established by BIA to cover
administrative costs including billing
and collections for the Project. The 2014
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(See Note#4)
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 44 / Friday, March 6, 2015 / Notices
BIA rate remains unchanged at $1.50/
acre.
Note #3—The FY 2014 rate was
established by final notice in the
Federal Register on January 23, 2014
(79 FR 3862). The Construction Water
Rate Schedule was established by final
notice in the Federal Register on
January 23, 2014 (79 FR 3862). The FY
2015 rate was proposed by notice in the
Federal Register on January 22, 2014
(79 FR 3614). This notice establishes the
final rate of $35/acre for FY 2015.
Note #4—The 2014 O&M rate for the
San Carlos Irrigation Project—Indian
Works has three components. The first
component is the O&M rate established
by the San Carlos Irrigation Project—
Indian Works, the owner and operator of
the Project; this rate is proposed to be
$45 per acre. The second component is
for the O&M rate established by the San
Carlos Irrigation Project—Joint Works
and is determined to be $30.00 per acre.
The third component is the O&M rate
established by the San Carlos Irrigation
Project Joint Control Board and is
estimated to be $6 per acre.
Consultation and Coordination With
Tribal Governments (Executive Order
13175)
To fulfill its consultation
responsibility to tribes and tribal
organizations, BIA communicates,
coordinates, and consults on a
continuing basis with these entities on
issues of water delivery, water
availability, and costs of administration,
operation, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of projects that concern
them. This is accomplished at the
individual irrigation project by Project,
Agency, and Regional representatives,
as appropriate, in accordance with local
protocol and procedures. This notice is
one component of our overall
coordination and consultation process
to provide notice to, and request
comments from, these entities when we
adjust irrigation assessment rates.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (Executive Order
13211)
The rate adjustments will have no
adverse effects on energy supply,
distribution, or use (including a
shortfall in supply, price increases, and
increase use of foreign supplies) should
the proposed rate adjustments be
implemented. This is a notice for rate
adjustments at BIA-owned and operated
irrigation projects, except for the Fort
Yuma Irrigation Project. The Fort Yuma
Irrigation Project is owned and operated
by the Bureau of Reclamation with a
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12203
portion serving the Fort Yuma
Reservation.
1995. The OMB Control Number is
1076–0141 and expires March 31, 2016.
Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Order 12866)
National Environmental Policy Act
The Department has determined that
these rate adjustments do not constitute
a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human
environment and that no detailed
statement is required under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321–4370(d)).
These rate adjustments are not a
significant regulatory action and do not
need to be reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These rate adjustments are not a rule
for the purposes of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act because they establish ‘‘a
rule of particular applicability relating
to rates.’’ 5 U.S.C. 601(2).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995
These rate adjustments do not impose
an unfunded mandate on State, local, or
tribal governments in the aggregate, or
on the private sector, of more than $130
million per year. The rule does not have
a significant or unique effect on State,
local, or tribal governments or the
private sector. Therefore, the
Department is not required to prepare a
statement containing the information
required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
The Department has determined that
these rate adjustments do not have
significant ‘‘takings’’ implications. The
rate adjustments do not deprive the
public, state, or local governments of
rights or property.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
The Department has determined that
these rate adjustments do not have
significant Federalism effects because
they will not affect the States, the
relationship between the national
government and the States, or the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among various levels of
government.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order
12988)
In issuing this rule, the Department
has taken the necessary steps to
eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity,
minimize potential litigation, and
provide a clear legal standard for
affected conduct, as required by section
3 of Executive Order 12988.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These rate adjustments do not affect
the collections of information which
have been approved by the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
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Data Quality Act
In developing this notice, we did not
conduct or use a study, experiment, or
survey requiring peer review under the
Data Quality Act (Pub. L. 106–554).
Dated: February 26, 2015.
Kevin K. Washburn,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015–05265 Filed 3–5–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MMAA 104000]
Outer Continental Shelf, Gulf of
Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales,
Western Planning Area Lease Sales
246 and 248
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the
Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
BOEM has prepared a Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for proposed Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas
Lease Sales 246 and 248, which are
tentatively scheduled to be held in
August 2015 and 2016, respectively, in
the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Western
Planning Area (WPA) offshore the States
of Texas and Louisiana. This Final
Supplemental EIS updates the
environmental and socioeconomic
analyses for proposed WPA Lease Sales
246 and 248 evaluated in the Gulf of
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales:
2012–2017; Western Planning Area
Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248;
Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227,
231, 235, 241, and 247, Final
Environmental Impact Statement (2012–
2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS; OCS EIS/
EA BOEM 2012–019); Gulf of Mexico
OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013–
2014; Western Planning Area Lease Sale
233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale
231, Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231
Supplemental EIS; OCS EIS/EA BOEM
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12197-12203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05265]
[[Page 12197]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[15X/A11220000.224100/AAK4004800/AX.480ADM100000]
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of rate adjustments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns, or has an interest
in, irrigation projects located on or associated with various Indian
reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish
irrigation assessment rates to recover the costs to administer,
operate, maintain, and rehabilitate these projects. We are notifying
you that we have adjusted the irrigation assessment rates at several of
our irrigation projects and facilities to reflect current costs of
administration, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
DATES: Effective Date: The irrigation assessment rates shown in the
tables as final are effective as of January 1, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For details about a particular BIA
irrigation project or facility, please use the tables in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to contact the regional or local
office where the project or facility is located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Proposed Rate Adjustment was
published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2014 (79 FR 3862) to
propose adjustments to the irrigation assessment rates at several BIA
irrigation projects. The public and interested parties were provided an
opportunity to submit written comments during the 60-day period that
ended March 24, 2014.
Did the BIA defer or change any proposed rate increases?
Yes. The proposed notice indicated that Proposed 2014 rate for Duck
Valley and Fort Yuma Irrigation Projects was ``To Be Determined.'' A
final rate has been determined and is reflected in the Rate Table. The
final rates established here differ from the proposed rates for the
following Irrigation projects:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2014 Final 2014
Project name Rate category rate rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Hall Irrigation Project--Michaud......... Basic--per acre................. $47.50 $47.00
Fort Peck Irrigation Project.................. Basic--per acre................. 25.00 26.00
Wind River Irrigation Project--Units 2, 3 and Basic--per acre................. 22.10 21.00
4.
Wind River Irrigation Project--LeClair Basic--per acre................. 28.82 28.80
District.
Wind River Irrigation Project--Riverton Valley Basic--per acre................. 21.02 21.00
Irrigation District.
Pine River Irrigation Project................. Basic--per acre................. 16.00 15.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did the BIA receive any comments on the proposed irrigation assessment
rate adjustments?
Yes. Written comments were received from the San Carlos Irrigation
and Drainage District (SCIDD), by letter dated October 31, 2013, to the
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, related to the proposed rate
adjustment for FY 2015 for the San Carlos Irrigation Project. A letter
from the Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs dated December 12, 2013,
responded to SCIDD's letter.
What issues were of concern to the commenters?
Comments received relate specifically to one component of the San
Carlos Irrigation Project proposed FY 2015 rate: The planned
expenditure for repair of the Coolidge Dam Cylinder Gates.
The BIA's summary of SCIDD's issue and the BIA's response are
provided below.
Comment: The recommended 2015 assessment of $35 per acre and
proposed budget of $3.5 million include a planned expenditure of $1.8
million, or $18 per acre, for the repair of the Coolidge Dam Cylinder
Gates. This $1,800,000 was collected in three $500,000 previous
payments in 2012, 2013, and 2014, and the 2015 budget proposes an
additional collection of $300,000. We now understand that this work
will be funded through the BIA Safety of Dams Program.
Response: The governing documents of the San Carlos Irrigation
Project required the operation and maintenance costs for the Project to
be paid for by assessments on the lands in the Project. Accordingly,
the Project has correctly assessed and collected funds for repair of
the Coolidge Dam Cylinder Gates. The BIA Safety of Dams Program is
funding an independent engineering review of the designs and cost
estimates for the gate repair. The review will produce final
engineering designs and drawings which the Project expects to use for
the repair work. The Project has reiterated this point to SCIDD at
recent water user meetings.
Does this notice affect me?
This notice affects you if you own or lease land within the
assessable acreage of one of our irrigation projects or if you have a
carriage agreement with one of our irrigation projects.
Where can I get information on the regulatory and legal citations in
this notice?
You can contact the appropriate office(s) stated in the tables for
the irrigation project that serves you, or you can use the Internet
site for the Government Publishing Office at www.gpo.gov.
What authorizes you to issue this notice?
Our authority to issue this notice is vested in the Secretary of
the Interior by 5 U.S.C. 301 and the Act of August 14, 1914 (38 Stat.
583; 25 U.S.C. 385). The Secretary has in turn delegated this authority
to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs under Part 209, Chapter
8.1A, of the Department of the Interior's Departmental Manual.
Whom can I contact for further information?
The following tables are the regional and project/agency contacts
for our irrigation facilities.
[[Page 12198]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project/Agency
Project name Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stanley Speaks, Regional Director, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911
N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4169,
Telephone: (503) 231-6702.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Hall Irrigation Project Randy Thompson,
Acting
Superintendent,
David Bollinger,
Irrigation Project
Manager, Fort Hall
Agency, P.O. Box
220, Fort Hall, ID
83203-0220,
Telephone: (208)
238-2301.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wapato Irrigation Project Edwin Lewis, Project
Administrator,
Wapato Irrigation
Project, P.O. Box
220, Wapato, WA
98951-0220,
Telephone: (509)
877-3155.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darryl LaCounte, Acting Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Rocky Mountain Regional Office, 316 North 26th Street, Billings,
Montana 59101, Telephone: (406) 247-7943.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Name Agency/Project
Contacts
Blackfeet Irrigation Project Thedis Crow, Acting
Superintendent,
Greg Tatsey,
Irrigation Project
Manager, Box 880,
Browning, MT 59417,
Telephones: (406)
338-7544,
Superintendent,
(406) 338-7519,
Irrigation Project
Manager.
Crow Irrigation Project Vianna Stewart,
Superintendent,
Kyle Varvel,
Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box
69, Crow Agency, MT
59022, Telephones:
(406) 638-2672,
Superintendent,
(406) 638-2863,
Irrigation Project
Manager.
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project Susan Messerley,
Acting
Superintendent,
Vacant, Irrigation
Project Manager,
(Project operations
& management
contracted to
Tribes), R.R.1, Box
980, Harlem, MT
59526, Telephones:
(406) 353-2901,
Superintendent,
(406) 353-8454,
Irrigation Project
Manager (Tribal
Office).
Fort Peck Irrigation Project Howard Beemer,
Superintendent,
Huber Wright,
Acting Irrigation
Project Manager,
P.O. Box 637,
Poplar, MT 59255,
602 6th Avenue
North, Wolf Point,
MT 59201,
Telephones: (406)
768-5312,
Superintendent,
(406) 653-1752,
Irrigation Project
Manager.
Wind River Irrigation Project Norma Gourneau,
Superintendent
Vacant, Irrigation
Project Manager,
P.O. Box 158, Fort
Washakie, WY 82514,
Telephones: (307)
332-7810,
Superintendent
(307) 332-2596,
Irrigation Project
Manager.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
William T. Walker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, Albuquerque, New
Mexico 87104, Telephone: (505) 563-3100.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pine River Irrigation Project Priscilla Bancroft,
Acting
Superintendent,
Vickie Begay,
Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box
315, Ignacio, CO
81137-0315,
Telephones: (970)
563-4511,
Superintendent,
(970) 563-9484,
Irrigation Project
Manager
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bryan Bowker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western
Regional Office, 2600 N. Central Ave., 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix,
Arizona 85004, Telephone: (602) 379-6600.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Name Project/Agency
Contacts
Colorado River Irrigation Project Kellie Youngbear,
Superintendent,
Gary Colvin,
Irrigation Project
Manager, 12124 1st
Avenue, Parker, AZ
85344, Telephone:
(928) 669-7111.
Duck Valley Irrigation Project Joseph McDade,
Superintendent,
(Project operations
& management
compacted by the
Tribes), 2719
Argent Ave., Suite
4, Elko, NV 89801,
Telephone: (775)
738-5165, (208) 759-
3100 (Tribal
Office).
Fort Yuma Irrigation Project Irene Herder,
Superintendent, 256
South Second
Avenue, Suite D,
Yuma, AZ 85364,
Telephone: (928)
782-1202.
San Carlos Irrigation Project, Indian Works and Ferris Begay,
Joint Works Project Manager,
Clarence Begay,
Irrigation Manager,
13805 N. Arizona
Boulevard,
Coolidge, AZ 85228,
Telephone: (520)
723-6223.
[[Page 12199]]
Uintah Irrigation Project Bart Stevens,
Superintendent,
P.O. Box 130, Fort
Duchesne, UT 84026,
Telephone: (435)
722-4300,
Telephone: (435)
722-4341.
Walker River Irrigation Project Marilyn Bitsillie,
Acting
Superintendent, 311
E. Washington
Street, Carson
City, NV 89701,
Telephone: (775)
887-3500.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What irrigation assessments or charges are adjusted by this notice?
The rate table below contains the current rates for all irrigation
projects where we recover costs of administering, operating,
maintaining, and rehabilitating them. The table also contains the final
rates for the 2014 season and subsequent years where applicable. An
asterisk immediately following the name of the project notes the
irrigation projects where 2014 rates are different from the 2013 rates.
[[Page 12200]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN06MR15.000
[[Page 12201]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN06MR15.001
[[Page 12202]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN06MR15.002
* Notes irrigation projects where rates are proposed for
adjustment.
Note #1--The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) rate varies yearly
based upon the budget submitted by the LeClair District.
Note #2--The O&M rate for the Yuma Project, Indian Unit has two
components. The first component is the O&M rate established by the
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the owner and operator of the Project. The
BOR rate for 2014 is $89.50/acre. The second component is for the O&M
rate established by BIA to cover administrative costs including billing
and collections for the Project. The 2014
[[Page 12203]]
BIA rate remains unchanged at $1.50/acre.
Note #3--The FY 2014 rate was established by final notice in the
Federal Register on January 23, 2014 (79 FR 3862). The Construction
Water Rate Schedule was established by final notice in the Federal
Register on January 23, 2014 (79 FR 3862). The FY 2015 rate was
proposed by notice in the Federal Register on January 22, 2014 (79 FR
3614). This notice establishes the final rate of $35/acre for FY 2015.
Note #4--The 2014 O&M rate for the San Carlos Irrigation Project--
Indian Works has three components. The first component is the O&M rate
established by the San Carlos Irrigation Project--Indian Works, the
owner and operator of the Project; this rate is proposed to be $45 per
acre. The second component is for the O&M rate established by the San
Carlos Irrigation Project--Joint Works and is determined to be $30.00
per acre. The third component is the O&M rate established by the San
Carlos Irrigation Project Joint Control Board and is estimated to be $6
per acre.
Consultation and Coordination With Tribal Governments (Executive Order
13175)
To fulfill its consultation responsibility to tribes and tribal
organizations, BIA communicates, coordinates, and consults on a
continuing basis with these entities on issues of water delivery, water
availability, and costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of projects that concern them. This is accomplished at
the individual irrigation project by Project, Agency, and Regional
representatives, as appropriate, in accordance with local protocol and
procedures. This notice is one component of our overall coordination
and consultation process to provide notice to, and request comments
from, these entities when we adjust irrigation assessment rates.
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211)
The rate adjustments will have no adverse effects on energy supply,
distribution, or use (including a shortfall in supply, price increases,
and increase use of foreign supplies) should the proposed rate
adjustments be implemented. This is a notice for rate adjustments at
BIA-owned and operated irrigation projects, except for the Fort Yuma
Irrigation Project. The Fort Yuma Irrigation Project is owned and
operated by the Bureau of Reclamation with a portion serving the Fort
Yuma Reservation.
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)
These rate adjustments are not a significant regulatory action and
do not need to be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under
Executive Order 12866.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These rate adjustments are not a rule for the purposes of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act because they establish ``a rule of
particular applicability relating to rates.'' 5 U.S.C. 601(2).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
These rate adjustments do not impose an unfunded mandate on State,
local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or on the private
sector, of more than $130 million per year. The rule does not have a
significant or unique effect on State, local, or tribal governments or
the private sector. Therefore, the Department is not required to
prepare a statement containing the information required by the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not
have significant ``takings'' implications. The rate adjustments do not
deprive the public, state, or local governments of rights or property.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not
have significant Federalism effects because they will not affect the
States, the relationship between the national government and the
States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among various
levels of government.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
In issuing this rule, the Department has taken the necessary steps
to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential
litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct, as
required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These rate adjustments do not affect the collections of information
which have been approved by the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number is 1076-0141 and expires March 31,
2016.
National Environmental Policy Act
The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality
of the human environment and that no detailed statement is required
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370(d)).
Data Quality Act
In developing this notice, we did not conduct or use a study,
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act
(Pub. L. 106-554).
Dated: February 26, 2015.
Kevin K. Washburn,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-05265 Filed 3-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P
