Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects, 18770-18775 [2017-08202]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 76 / Friday, April 21, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–6001–N–11]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Compliance Inspection
Report and Mortgagee’s Assurance of
Completion
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing
Commissioner, HUD.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice.
HUD is seeking approval from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for the information collection
described below. In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is
requesting comment from all interested
parties on the proposed collection of
information. The purpose of this notice
is to allow for 60 days of public
comment.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Comments Due Date: June 20,
2017.
Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Comments should refer to
the proposal by name and/or OMB
Control Number and should be sent to:
Colette Pollard, Reports Management
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC
20410–5000; telephone 202–402–3400
(this is not a toll-free number) or email
at Colette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of
the proposed forms or other available
information. Persons with hearing or
speech impairments may access this
number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–
8339.
ADDRESSES:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheryl Walker, Director, Home
Valuation Policy Division, Department
of Housing and Urban Development,
451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC
20410; email at Cheryl.B.Walker@
hud.gov or telephone 202–708–2121,
x6880. This is not a toll-free number.
Persons with hearing or speech
impairments may access this number
through TTY by calling the toll-free
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
Copies of available documents
submitted to OMB may be obtained
from Ms. Pollard.
This
notice informs the public that HUD is
seeking approval from OMB for the
information collection described in
Section A.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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A. Overview of Information Collection
Title of Information Collection:
Compliance Inspection Report and
Mortgagee’s Assurance of Completion.
OMB Approval Number: 2502–0189.
Type of Request: Extension of
currently approved collection.
Form Numbers: HUD 92051, HUD–
92300.
Description of the need for the
information and proposed use: Accurate
and thorough property information is
critical to the accuracy of underwriting
for the mortgage insurance process. This
information collection is needed to
ensure newly built homes financed with
FHA mortgage insurance are
constructed in accordance with
acceptable building standards and that
deficiencies found in newly constructed
and existing dwellings are corrected.
Respondents: Business or other-forprofit.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
4,674.
Estimated Number of Responses:
26,969.
Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Average Hours per Response: .175.
Total Estimated Burdens: 4,720.
B. Solicitation of Public Comment
This notice is soliciting comments
from members of the public and affected
parties concerning the collection of
information described in Section A on
the following: (1) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (3)
Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond; including
through the use of appropriate
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
HUD encourages interested parties to
submit comment in response to these
questions.
C. Authority
Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35.
Dated: March 23, 2017.
Genger Charles,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Housing.
[FR Doc. 2017–08131 Filed 4–20–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[177A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010999900]
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation
Projects
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rate
adjustments.
AGENCY:
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
request your comments on the proposed
rate adjustments.
DATES: Interested parties may submit
comments on the proposed rate
adjustments on or before June 20, 2017.
ADDRESSES: All comments on the
proposed rate adjustments must be in
writing and addressed to: Yulan Jin,
Chief, Division of Water and Power,
Office of Trust Services, Mail Stop
4637–MIB, 1849 C Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20240, Telephone (202)
219–0941.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
details about a particular irrigation
project, please use the tables in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to
contact the regional or local office
where the project is located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The first
table in this notice provides contact
information for individuals who can
give further information about the
irrigation projects covered by this
notice. The second table provides the
current 2016 irrigation assessment rates,
the proposed rates for Calendar Year
(CY) 2017, and proposed rates for
subsequent years where these rates are
available.
SUMMARY:
What is the meaning of the key terms
used in this notice?
In this notice:
Administrative costs mean all costs
we incur to administer our irrigation
projects at the local project level and is
a cost factor included in calculating
your operation and maintenance
assessment. Costs incurred at the local
project level do not normally include
Agency, Region, or Central Office costs
unless we state otherwise in writing.
Assessable acre means lands
designated by us to be served by one of
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our irrigation projects, for which we
collect assessments in order to recover
costs for the provision of irrigation
service. (See total assessable acres.)
BIA means the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
Bill means our statement to you of the
assessment charges and/or fees you owe
the United States for administration,
operation, maintenance, and/or
rehabilitation. The date we mail or
hand-deliver your bill will be stated on
it.
Costs means the costs we incur for
administration, operation, maintenance,
and rehabilitation to provide direct
support or benefit to an irrigation
facility. (See administrative costs,
operation costs, maintenance costs, and
rehabilitation costs).
Customer means any person or entity
to whom or to which we provide
irrigation service.
Due date is the date on which your
bill is due and payable. This date will
be stated on your bill.
I, me, my, you and your means all
persons or entities that are affected by
this notice.
Irrigation project means a facility or
portion thereof for the delivery,
diversion, and storage of irrigation water
that we own or have an interest in,
including all appurtenant works. The
term ‘‘irrigation project’’ is used
interchangeably with irrigation facility,
irrigation system, and irrigation area.
Irrigation service means the full range
of services we provide customers of our
irrigation projects. This includes our
activities to administer, operate,
maintain, and rehabilitate our projects
in order to deliver water.
Maintenance costs means costs we
incur to maintain and repair our
irrigation projects and associated
equipment and is a cost factor included
in calculating your operation and
maintenance assessment.
Operation and maintenance (O&M)
assessment means the periodic charge
you must pay us to reimburse costs of
administering, operating, maintaining,
and rehabilitating irrigation projects
consistent with this notice and our
supporting policies, manuals, and
handbooks.
Operation or operating costs means
costs we incur to operate our irrigation
projects and equipment and is a cost
factor included in calculating your O&M
assessment.
Past due bill means a bill that has not
been paid by the close of business on
the 30th day after the due date as stated
on the bill. Beginning on the 31st day
after the due date, we begin assessing
additional charges accruing from the
due date.
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Rehabilitation costs means costs we
incur to restore our irrigation projects or
features to original operating condition
or to the nearest state which can be
achieved using current technology and
is a cost factor included in calculating
your O&M assessment.
Responsible party means an
individual or entity that owns or leases
land within the assessable acreage of
one of our irrigation projects and is
responsible for providing accurate
information to our billing office and
paying a bill for an annual irrigation rate
assessment.
Total assessable acres means the total
acres served by one of our irrigation
projects.
Water delivery is an activity that is
part of the irrigation service we provide
our customers when water is available.
We, us, and our means the United
States Government, the Secretary of the
Interior, the BIA, and all who are
authorized to represent us in matters
covered under this notice.
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 Printing Office at https://
www.gpo.gov.
Why are you publishing this notice?
We are publishing this notice to
inform you that we propose to adjust
our irrigation assessment rates. This
notice is published in accordance with
the BIA’s regulations governing its
operation and maintenance of irrigation
projects, found at 25 CFR part 171. This
regulation provides for the
establishment and publication of the
proposed rates for annual irrigation
assessments as well as related
information about our irrigation
projects.
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
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8.1A, of the Department of the Interior’s
Departmental Manual.
When will you put the rate adjustments
into effect?
We will put the rate adjustments into
effect for the CY 2017 and subsequent
years where applicable.
How do you calculate irrigation rates?
We calculate annual irrigation
assessment rates in accordance with 25
CFR part 171.500 by estimating the
annual costs of operation and
maintenance at each of our irrigation
projects and then dividing by the total
assessable acres for that particular
irrigation project. The result of this
calculation for each project is stated in
the rate table in this notice.
What kinds of expenses do you
consider in determining the estimated
annual costs of operation and
maintenance?
Consistent with 25 CFR part 171.500,
these expenses include the following:
(a) Salary and benefits for the project
engineer/manager and project
employees under the project engineer/
manager’s management or control;
(b) Materials and supplies;
(c) Vehicle and equipment repairs;
(d) Equipment costs, including lease
fees;
(e) Depreciation;
(f) Acquisition costs;
(g) Maintenance of a reserve fund
available for contingencies or
emergency costs needed for the reliable
operation of the irrigation facility
infrastructure;
(h) Maintenance of a vehicle and
heavy equipment replacement fund;
(i) Systematic rehabilitation and
replacement of project facilities;
(j) Carriage Agreements for the
transfer of project water through
irrigation facilities owned by others.
(k) Any water storage fees for nonBIA-owned reservoirs, as applicable,
(l) Contingencies for unknown costs
and omitted budget items; and
(m) Other expenses we determine
necessary to properly perform the
activities and functions characteristic of
an irrigation project.
When should I pay my irrigation
assessment?
We will mail or hand-deliver your bill
notifying you (a) the amount you owe to
the United States and (b) when such
amount is due. If we mail your bill, we
will consider it as being delivered no
later than 5 business days after the day
we mail it. You should pay your bill by
the due date stated on the bill.
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What information must I provide for
billing purposes?
All responsible parties are required to
provide the following information to the
billing office associated with the
irrigation project where you own or
lease land within the project’s
assessable acreage or to the billing office
associated with the irrigation project
with which you have a carriage
agreement:
(1) The full legal name of person or
entity responsible for paying the bill;
(2) An adequate and correct address
for mailing or hand delivering our bill;
and
(3) The taxpayer identification
number or social security number of the
person or entity responsible for paying
the bill.
Why are you collecting my taxpayer
identification number or social security
number?
Public Law 104–134, the Debt
Collection Improvement Act of 1996,
requires that we collect the taxpayer
identification number or social security
number before billing a responsible
party and as a condition to servicing the
account.
What happens if I am a responsible
party but I fail to furnish the
information required to the billing
office responsible for the irrigation
project within which I own or lease
assessable land or for which I have a
carriage agreement?
If you are late paying your bill
because of your failure to furnish the
required information listed above, you
will be assessed interest and penalties
as provided below, and your failure to
provide the required information will
not provide grounds for you to appeal
your bill or any penalties assessed.
What can happen if I do not provide the
information required for billing
purposes?
We can refuse to provide you
irrigation service.
If I allow my bill to become past due,
could this affect my water delivery?
Yes. 25 CFR 171.545(a) states: ‘‘We
will not provide you irrigation service
until: (1) Your bill is paid; or (2) You
make arrangement for payment pursuant
to § 171.550 of this part.’’ If we do not
receive your payment before the close of
business on the 30th day after the due
date stated on your bill, we will send
you a past due notice. This past due
notice will have additional information
concerning your rights. We will
consider your past due notice as
delivered no later than 5 business days
after the day we mail it. We follow the
procedures provided in 31 CFR 901.2,
‘‘Demand for Payment,’’ when
demanding payment of your past due
bill.
Are there any additional charges if I am
late paying my bill?
Yes. We will assess you interest on
the amount owed, using the rate of
interest established annually by the
Secretary of the United States Treasury
(Treasury) to calculate what you will be
Project name
assessed. You will not be assessed this
charge until your bill is past due.
However, if you allow your bill to
become past due, interest will accrue
from the original due date, not the past
due date. Also, you will be charged an
administrative fee of $12.50 for each
time we try to collect your past due bill.
If your bill becomes more than 90 days
past due, you will be assessed a penalty
charge of 6 percent per year, which will
accrue from the date your bill initially
became past due. Pursuant to 31 CFR
901.9, ‘‘Interest, penalties and
administrative costs,’’ as a Federal
agency, we are required to charge
interest, penalties, and administrative
costs in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717.
What else will happen to my past due
bill?
If you do not pay your bill or make
payment arrangements to which we
agree, we are required to send your past
due bill to the Treasury for further
action. Under the provisions of 31 CFR
901.1, ‘‘Aggressive agency collection
activity,’’ Federal agencies should
consider referring debts that are less
than 180 days delinquent, and we must
send any unpaid annual irrigation
assessment bill to Treasury no later than
180 days after the original due date of
the bill.
Who can I contact for further
information?
The following tables are the regional
and project/agency contacts for our
irrigation facilities.
Project/agency contacts
Northwest Region Contacts
Stanley Speaks, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4169,
Telephone: (503) 231–6702.
Flathead Irrigation Project ...............
Fort Hall Irrigation Project ...............
Wapato Irrigation Project ................
Peter Plant, Acting Superintendent, Pete Plant, Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 40, Pablo, MT 59855,
Telephones: (406) 675–2700 ext. 1300 Superintendent, (406) 745–2661 ext. 2 Project Manager.
David Bollinger, Irrigation Project Manager, Building #2 Bannock Ave, Fort Hall, ID 83203–0220, Telephone: (208) 238–6264.
David Shaw, Superintendent, Larry Nelson, Acting Project Administrator, P.O. Box 220, Wapato, WA
98951–0220, Telephone: (509) 865–2421 Superintendent, (509) 877–3155 Acting Project Administrator.
Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
Darryl LaCounte, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, 2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101,
Telephone: (406) 247–7943.
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Blackfeet Irrigation Project ..............
Crow Irrigation Project ....................
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project ........
Fort Peck Irrigation Project .............
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Thedis Crowe, 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, John Anevski, Acting Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 69, Crow
Agency, MT 59022, Telephones: (406) 638–2672, Superintendent, (406) 247–7998, Acting Irrigation
Project Manager.
John St. Pierre, Superintendent, Vacant, Irrigation Project Manager, (Project operations & maintenance
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, Telephones: (406) 768–5312, Superintendent, (406) 653–1752, Irrigation Project Manager.
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Project name
Project/agency contacts
Wind River Irrigation Project ...........
Norma Gourneau, Superintendent, John Anevski, Acting Irrigation Project Manager, P.O. Box 158, Fort
Washakie, WY 82514, Telephones: (307) 332–7810, Superintendent, (406) 247–7998, Acting Irrigation
Project Manager.
Southwest Region Contacts
William T. Walker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, Albuquerque, NM 87104,
Telephone: (505) 563–3100.
Pine River Irrigation Project ............
Priscilla Bancroft, 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, AZ
85004, Telephone: (602) 379–6600.
Colorado River Irrigation Project ....
Duck Valley Irrigation Project .........
Yuma Project, Indian Unit ...............
San Carlos Irrigation Project, Indian
Works and Joint Works.
Uintah Irrigation Project ..................
Walker River Irrigation Project ........
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 to Tribes), 2719 Argent
Ave., Suite 4, Gateway Plaza, Elko, NV 89801, Telephone: (775) 738–5165, (208) 759–3100, (Tribal Office).
Denni Shields, 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 85128, Telephone: (520) 723–6225.
Bart Stevens Superintendent, Ken Asay, Irrigation System Manager, P.O. Box 130, Fort Duchesne, UT
84026, Telephone: (435) 722–4300, (435) 722–4344.
Robert Eben, Superintendent, 311 E. Washington Street, Carson City, NV 89701, Telephone: (775) 887–
3500.
What irrigation assessments or charges
are proposed for adjustment 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 proposed rates for the CY
2017 and subsequent years where
Project name
applicable. An asterisk immediately
following the rate category notes the
irrigation projects where rates are
proposed for adjustment.
Final
2016 rate
Rate category
Final
2017 rate
Proposed
2018 rate **
Northwest Region Rate Table
Flathead Irrigation Project (See Note #1) ...............................
Basic per acre—A ..................
Basic per acre—B ..................
Minimum Charge per tract .....
$26.00
13.00
75.00
Final
2016 rate
Project name
Rate category
Fort Hall Irrigation Project ..........................................................................
Basic per acre * ...............................
Minimum Charge per tract * ............
Basic per acre * ...............................
Minimum Charge per tract * ............
Basic per acre * ...............................
Pressure per acre * ..........................
Minimum Charge per tract * ............
Minimum Charge per bill .................
Basic per acre .................................
Minimum Charge per bill .................
Basic per acre .................................
Minimum Charge per bill .................
‘‘A’’ Basic per acre ..........................
‘‘B’’ Basic per acre ..........................
Minimum Charge per bill .................
Basic per acre * ...............................
Minimum Charge .............................
Basic per acre .................................
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 ............................................
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Wapato Irrigation Project—Water Rental ..................................................
$26.00
13.00
75.00
$33.50
16.75
75.00
Proposed
2017 rate
$52.00
37.00
31.00
37.00
55.00
83.00
37.00
25.00
25.00
30.00
30.00
79.00
79.00
85.00
78.00
78.00
86.00
86.00
$54.00
38.50
32.50
38.50
57.50
88.50
38.50
25.00
25.00
30.00
30.00
79.00
79.00
85.00
80.00
80.00
86.00
86.00
Basic-per acre .................................
Basic-per acre * ...............................
20.00
26.00
20.00
28.00
Basic-per acre * ...............................
26.00
28.00
Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table
Blackfeet Irrigation Project .........................................................................
Crow Irrigation Project—Willow Creek O&M (includes Agency, Lodge
Grass #1, Lodge Grass #2, Reno, Upper Little Horn, and Forty Mile
Units).
Crow Irrigation Project—All Others (includes Bighorn, Soap Creek, and
Pryor Units).
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Project name
Final
2016 rate
Rate category
Crow Irrigation Project—Two Leggins Unit ...............................................
Crow Irrigation Two Leggins Drainage District ..........................................
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project ...................................................................
Fort Peck Irrigation Project ........................................................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Units 2, 3 and 4 ........................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Unit 6 ........................................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—LeClair District (See Note #2) ..................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Crow Heart Unit ........................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—A Canal Unit .............................................
Wind River Irrigation Project—Riverton Valley Irrigation District ..............
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
Basic-per
acre .................................
acre .................................
acre .................................
acre * ...............................
acre * ...............................
acre .................................
acre .................................
acre * ...............................
acre * ...............................
acre * ...............................
Proposed
2017 rate
14.00
2.00
16.00
26.00
22.50
21.00
47.00
15.50
15.50
26.00
14.00
2.00
16.00
26.50
23.50
21.00
47.00
15.75
15.75
30.65
50.00
18.00
50.00
19.00
54.00
17.00
54.00
17.00
5.30
113.00
24.50
5.30
(1)
27.50
113.00
( 1)
Southwest Region Rate Table
Pine River Irrigation Project .......................................................................
Minimum Charge per tract ..............
Basic-per acre * ...............................
Western Region Rate Table
Colorado River Irrigation Project ...............................................................
Duck Valley Irrigation Project ....................................................................
Yuma Project, Indian Unit (See Note #3) ..................................................
1 To
Basic per acre up to 5.75 acre-feet
Excess Water per acre-foot over
5.75 acre-feet.
Basic per acre .................................
Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre-feet *
Excess Water per acre-foot over
5.0 acre-feet *.
Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre-feet
(Ranch 5) *.
be determined.
Project name
Rate category
Final
2016 rate
Final
2017 rate
Proposed
2018 rate **
San Carlos Irrigation Project (Joint
Works) (See Note #4).
Basic per acre * ..............
$30.00 ............................
$25.00 ............................
$27.90.
Proposed 2017 Construction Water Rate Schedule
Off project construction
Administrative Fee .........
Usage Fee .....................
Excess Water Rate † .....
On project
construction—gravity
water
On project
construction—pump
water
$300.00 ..........................
$250.00 per month ........
$5.00 per 1,000 gal .......
$300.00 ..........................
No Fee ...........................
No Charge .....................
$300.00.
$100.00 per acre foot.
No Charge.
† The excess water rate applies to all water used in excess of 50,000 gallons in any one month.
Final
2016 rate
Project name
Rate category
San Carlos Irrigation Project (Indian Works) (See Note #5) .....................
Uintah Irrigation Project .............................................................................
Basic per acre .................................
Basic per acre .................................
Minimum Bill ....................................
Basic per acre .................................
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Walker River Irrigation Project ...................................................................
$81.00
18.00
25.00
31.00
Proposed
2017 rate
$81.00
18.00
25.00
31.00
* Notes irrigation projects where rates are proposed for adjustment.
** The requirement for a proposed 2018 Rate is only applicable to the Flathead and San Carlos Irrigation Projects due to their specific billing
requirements.
Note #1: Federal Register Notice published August 5, 2016 established the proposed 2017 rate for the Flathead Irrigation Project (81 FR
51927) (no comments were received to the proposed notice, proposed rate will be issued as final). This notice proposes the 2018 rate for the
Flathead Irrigation Project.
Note #2: The O&M rate varies yearly based upon the budget submitted by the LeClair District.
Note #3: 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 2017 is to be determined. The second component is for the
O&M rate established by BIA to cover administrative costs including billing and collections for the Project. The 2017 BIA rate is proposed to be
$3.50/acre.
Note #4: The construction water rate schedule proposes the fees assessed for use of irrigation water for non-irrigation purposes.
A separate proposed Federal Register Notice will establish the final 2017 rate for the SCIP–JW. This notice proposes the 2018 rate for the
SCIP–JW.
Note #5: The proposed 2017 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 $50
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
$25.00 per acre. The third component is the O&M rate established by the San Carlos Irrigation Project Joint Control Board and is proposed to be
$6 per acre.
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21APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 76 / Friday, April 21, 2017 / Notices
Consultation and Coordination With
Tribal Governments (Executive Order
13175)
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
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. The
Department of the Interior strives to
strengthen its government-togovernment relationship with Indian
Tribes through a commitment to
consultation with Indian Tribes and
recognition of their right to selfgovernance and Tribal sovereignty. We
have evaluated this notice under the
Department’s consultation policy and
under the criteria of Executive Order
13175 and have determined there to be
substantial direct effects on federally
recognized Tribes because the irrigation
projects are located on or associated
with Indian reservations. 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 proposed rate adjustments are not
a significant energy action under the
definition in Executive Order 13211. A
Statement of Energy Effects is not
required.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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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 proposed 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 proposed 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. A
statement containing the information
required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not
required.
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
These proposed rate adjustments do
not effect a taking of private property or
otherwise have ‘‘takings’’ implications
under Executive Order 12630. The
proposed rate adjustments do not
deprive the public, state, or local
governments of rights or property.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of
Executive Order 13132, these proposed
rate adjustments do not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a federalism summary
impact statement 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. A federalism
summary impact statement is not
required.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order
12988)
This notice complies with the
requirements of Executive Order 12988.
Specifically, in issuing this notice, 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, is required by section
3 of Executive Order 12988.
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Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These proposed 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
(OMB), under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number
is 1076–0141 and expires June 30, 2019.
National Environmental Policy Act
The Department has determined that
these proposed 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: April 12, 2017.
Michael S. Black,
Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017–08202 Filed 4–20–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLOR936000.L14400000.ET0000 FUND:
16XL1109AF; HAG–16–0071 OR17791]
Notice of Application for Extension of
Public Land Order No. 4145, as
Modified, Correction of Legal
Description, and Opportunity for
Public Comment and Meeting; West
Eagle Meadow Campground; Oregon
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The United States Forest
Service (USFS) has filed an application
with the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) requesting that the Secretary of
the Interior extend the duration of
Public Land Order (PLO) No. 4145, as
modified by PLO No. 7322, for an
additional 20-year term. PLO No. 4145,
as modified by PLO No. 7322, withdrew
approximately 32 acres of National
Forest System lands in the WallowaWhitman National Forest from location
and entry under the United States
mining laws. The purpose of the
proposed extension is to continue to
protect the recreational values of the
USFS West Eagle Meadow Campground.
The withdrawal created by PLO No.
4145, as modified by PLO No. 7322, will
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21APN1.SGM
21APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 76 (Friday, April 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18770-18775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08202]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[177A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010999900]
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of proposed 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 request your
comments on the proposed rate adjustments.
DATES: Interested parties may submit comments on the proposed rate
adjustments on or before June 20, 2017.
ADDRESSES: All comments on the proposed rate adjustments must be in
writing and addressed to: Yulan Jin, Chief, Division of Water and
Power, Office of Trust Services, Mail Stop 4637-MIB, 1849 C Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20240, Telephone (202) 219-0941.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For details about a particular
irrigation project, please use the tables in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section to contact the regional or local office where the
project is located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The first table in this notice provides
contact information for individuals who can give further information
about the irrigation projects covered by this notice. The second table
provides the current 2016 irrigation assessment rates, the proposed
rates for Calendar Year (CY) 2017, and proposed rates for subsequent
years where these rates are available.
What is the meaning of the key terms used in this notice?
In this notice:
Administrative costs mean all costs we incur to administer our
irrigation projects at the local project level and is a cost factor
included in calculating your operation and maintenance assessment.
Costs incurred at the local project level do not normally include
Agency, Region, or Central Office costs unless we state otherwise in
writing.
Assessable acre means lands designated by us to be served by one of
[[Page 18771]]
our irrigation projects, for which we collect assessments in order to
recover costs for the provision of irrigation service. (See total
assessable acres.)
BIA means the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Bill means our statement to you of the assessment charges and/or
fees you owe the United States for administration, operation,
maintenance, and/or rehabilitation. The date we mail or hand-deliver
your bill will be stated on it.
Costs means the costs we incur for administration, operation,
maintenance, and rehabilitation to provide direct support or benefit to
an irrigation facility. (See administrative costs, operation costs,
maintenance costs, and rehabilitation costs).
Customer means any person or entity to whom or to which we provide
irrigation service.
Due date is the date on which your bill is due and payable. This
date will be stated on your bill.
I, me, my, you and your means all persons or entities that are
affected by this notice.
Irrigation project means a facility or portion thereof for the
delivery, diversion, and storage of irrigation water that we own or
have an interest in, including all appurtenant works. The term
``irrigation project'' is used interchangeably with irrigation
facility, irrigation system, and irrigation area.
Irrigation service means the full range of services we provide
customers of our irrigation projects. This includes our activities to
administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate our projects in order
to deliver water.
Maintenance costs means costs we incur to maintain and repair our
irrigation projects and associated equipment and is a cost factor
included in calculating your operation and maintenance assessment.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) assessment means the periodic
charge you must pay us to reimburse costs of administering, operating,
maintaining, and rehabilitating irrigation projects consistent with
this notice and our supporting policies, manuals, and handbooks.
Operation or operating costs means costs we incur to operate our
irrigation projects and equipment and is a cost factor included in
calculating your O&M assessment.
Past due bill means a bill that has not been paid by the close of
business on the 30th day after the due date as stated on the bill.
Beginning on the 31st day after the due date, we begin assessing
additional charges accruing from the due date.
Rehabilitation costs means costs we incur to restore our irrigation
projects or features to original operating condition or to the nearest
state which can be achieved using current technology and is a cost
factor included in calculating your O&M assessment.
Responsible party means an individual or entity that owns or leases
land within the assessable acreage of one of our irrigation projects
and is responsible for providing accurate information to our billing
office and paying a bill for an annual irrigation rate assessment.
Total assessable acres means the total acres served by one of our
irrigation projects.
Water delivery is an activity that is part of the irrigation
service we provide our customers when water is available.
We, us, and our means the United States Government, the Secretary
of the Interior, the BIA, and all who are authorized to represent us in
matters covered under this notice.
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 Printing Office at https://www.gpo.gov.
Why are you publishing this notice?
We are publishing this notice to inform you that we propose to
adjust our irrigation assessment rates. This notice is published in
accordance with the BIA's regulations governing its operation and
maintenance of irrigation projects, found at 25 CFR part 171. This
regulation provides for the establishment and publication of the
proposed rates for annual irrigation assessments as well as related
information about our irrigation projects.
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.
When will you put the rate adjustments into effect?
We will put the rate adjustments into effect for the CY 2017 and
subsequent years where applicable.
How do you calculate irrigation rates?
We calculate annual irrigation assessment rates in accordance with
25 CFR part 171.500 by estimating the annual costs of operation and
maintenance at each of our irrigation projects and then dividing by the
total assessable acres for that particular irrigation project. The
result of this calculation for each project is stated in the rate table
in this notice.
What kinds of expenses do you consider in determining the estimated
annual costs of operation and maintenance?
Consistent with 25 CFR part 171.500, these expenses include the
following:
(a) Salary and benefits for the project engineer/manager and
project employees under the project engineer/manager's management or
control;
(b) Materials and supplies;
(c) Vehicle and equipment repairs;
(d) Equipment costs, including lease fees;
(e) Depreciation;
(f) Acquisition costs;
(g) Maintenance of a reserve fund available for contingencies or
emergency costs needed for the reliable operation of the irrigation
facility infrastructure;
(h) Maintenance of a vehicle and heavy equipment replacement fund;
(i) Systematic rehabilitation and replacement of project
facilities;
(j) Carriage Agreements for the transfer of project water through
irrigation facilities owned by others.
(k) Any water storage fees for non-BIA-owned reservoirs, as
applicable,
(l) Contingencies for unknown costs and omitted budget items; and
(m) Other expenses we determine necessary to properly perform the
activities and functions characteristic of an irrigation project.
When should I pay my irrigation assessment?
We will mail or hand-deliver your bill notifying you (a) the amount
you owe to the United States and (b) when such amount is due. If we
mail your bill, we will consider it as being delivered no later than 5
business days after the day we mail it. You should pay your bill by the
due date stated on the bill.
[[Page 18772]]
What information must I provide for billing purposes?
All responsible parties are required to provide the following
information to the billing office associated with the irrigation
project where you own or lease land within the project's assessable
acreage or to the billing office associated with the irrigation project
with which you have a carriage agreement:
(1) The full legal name of person or entity responsible for paying
the bill;
(2) An adequate and correct address for mailing or hand delivering
our bill; and
(3) The taxpayer identification number or social security number of
the person or entity responsible for paying the bill.
Why are you collecting my taxpayer identification number or social
security number?
Public Law 104-134, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996,
requires that we collect the taxpayer identification number or social
security number before billing a responsible party and as a condition
to servicing the account.
What happens if I am a responsible party but I fail to furnish the
information required to the billing office responsible for the
irrigation project within which I own or lease assessable land or for
which I have a carriage agreement?
If you are late paying your bill because of your failure to furnish
the required information listed above, you will be assessed interest
and penalties as provided below, and your failure to provide the
required information will not provide grounds for you to appeal your
bill or any penalties assessed.
What can happen if I do not provide the information required for
billing purposes?
We can refuse to provide you irrigation service.
If I allow my bill to become past due, could this affect my water
delivery?
Yes. 25 CFR 171.545(a) states: ``We will not provide you irrigation
service until: (1) Your bill is paid; or (2) You make arrangement for
payment pursuant to Sec. 171.550 of this part.'' If we do not receive
your payment before the close of business on the 30th day after the due
date stated on your bill, we will send you a past due notice. This past
due notice will have additional information concerning your rights. We
will consider your past due notice as delivered no later than 5
business days after the day we mail it. We follow the procedures
provided in 31 CFR 901.2, ``Demand for Payment,'' when demanding
payment of your past due bill.
Are there any additional charges if I am late paying my bill?
Yes. We will assess you interest on the amount owed, using the rate
of interest established annually by the Secretary of the United States
Treasury (Treasury) to calculate what you will be assessed. You will
not be assessed this charge until your bill is past due. However, if
you allow your bill to become past due, interest will accrue from the
original due date, not the past due date. Also, you will be charged an
administrative fee of $12.50 for each time we try to collect your past
due bill. If your bill becomes more than 90 days past due, you will be
assessed a penalty charge of 6 percent per year, which will accrue from
the date your bill initially became past due. Pursuant to 31 CFR 901.9,
``Interest, penalties and administrative costs,'' as a Federal agency,
we are required to charge interest, penalties, and administrative costs
in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717.
What else will happen to my past due bill?
If you do not pay your bill or make payment arrangements to which
we agree, we are required to send your past due bill to the Treasury
for further action. Under the provisions of 31 CFR 901.1, ``Aggressive
agency collection activity,'' Federal agencies should consider
referring debts that are less than 180 days delinquent, and we must
send any unpaid annual irrigation assessment bill to Treasury no later
than 180 days after the original due date of the bill.
Who can I contact for further information?
The following tables are the regional and project/agency contacts
for our irrigation facilities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, OR 97232-4169,
Telephone: (503) 231-6702..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Irrigation Project....... Peter Plant, Acting Superintendent,
Pete Plant, Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box 40, Pablo, MT
59855, Telephones: (406) 675-2700
ext. 1300 Superintendent, (406) 745-
2661 ext. 2 Project Manager.
Fort Hall Irrigation Project...... David Bollinger, Irrigation Project
Manager, Building #2 Bannock Ave,
Fort Hall, ID 83203-0220,
Telephone: (208) 238-6264.
Wapato Irrigation Project......... David Shaw, Superintendent, Larry
Nelson, Acting Project
Administrator, P.O. Box 220,
Wapato, WA 98951-0220, Telephone:
(509) 865-2421 Superintendent,
(509) 877-3155 Acting Project
Administrator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darryl LaCounte, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky
Mountain Regional Office, 2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101,
Telephone: (406) 247-7943..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackfeet Irrigation Project...... Thedis Crowe, 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, John
Anevski, Acting Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box 69, Crow Agency,
MT 59022, Telephones: (406) 638-
2672, Superintendent, (406) 247-
7998, Acting Irrigation Project
Manager.
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project... John St. Pierre, Superintendent,
Vacant, Irrigation Project Manager,
(Project operations & maintenance
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, Telephones: (406) 768-5312,
Superintendent, (406) 653-1752,
Irrigation Project Manager.
[[Page 18773]]
Wind River Irrigation Project..... Norma Gourneau, Superintendent, John
Anevski, Acting Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box 158, Fort
Washakie, WY 82514, Telephones:
(307) 332-7810, Superintendent,
(406) 247-7998, Acting Irrigation
Project Manager.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest Region Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
William T. Walker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, Albuquerque, NM
87104, Telephone: (505) 563-3100..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pine River Irrigation Project..... Priscilla Bancroft, 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, AZ
85004, Telephone: (602) 379-6600..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 to Tribes), 2719 Argent
Ave., Suite 4, Gateway Plaza, Elko,
NV 89801, Telephone: (775) 738-
5165, (208) 759-3100, (Tribal
Office).
Yuma Project, Indian Unit......... Denni Shields, Superintendent, 256
South Second Avenue, Suite D, Yuma,
AZ 85364, Telephone: (928) 782-
1202.
San Carlos Irrigation Project, Ferris Begay, Project Manager,
Indian Works and Joint Works. Clarence Begay, Irrigation Manager,
13805 N. Arizona Boulevard,
Coolidge, AZ 85128, Telephone:
(520) 723-6225.
Uintah Irrigation Project......... Bart Stevens Superintendent, Ken
Asay, Irrigation System Manager,
P.O. Box 130, Fort Duchesne, UT
84026, Telephone: (435) 722-4300,
(435) 722-4344.
Walker River Irrigation Project... Robert Eben, Superintendent, 311 E.
Washington Street, Carson City, NV
89701, Telephone: (775) 887-3500.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What irrigation assessments or charges are proposed for adjustment 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
proposed rates for the CY 2017 and subsequent years where applicable.
An asterisk immediately following the rate category notes the
irrigation projects where rates are proposed for adjustment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final 2016 Final 2017 Proposed 2018
Project name Rate category rate rate rate **
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Irrigation Project (See Note Basic per acre--A....... $26.00 $26.00 $33.50
#1). Basic per acre--B....... 13.00 13.00 16.75
Minimum Charge per tract 75.00 75.00 75.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final 2016 Proposed 2017
Project name Rate category rate rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Hall Irrigation Project.................. Basic per acre *................ $52.00 $54.00
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 37.00 38.50
Fort Hall Irrigation Project--Minor Units..... Basic per acre *................ 31.00 32.50
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 37.00 38.50
Fort Hall Irrigation Project--Michaud......... Basic per acre *................ 55.00 57.50
Pressure per acre *............. 83.00 88.50
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 37.00 38.50
Wapato Irrigation Project--Toppenish/Simcoe Minimum Charge per bill......... 25.00 25.00
Units. Basic per acre.................. 25.00 25.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Ahtanum Units...... Minimum Charge per bill......... 30.00 30.00
Basic per acre.................. 30.00 30.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Satus Unit......... Minimum Charge per bill......... 79.00 79.00
``A'' Basic per acre............ 79.00 79.00
``B'' Basic per acre............ 85.00 85.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Additional Works... Minimum Charge per bill......... 78.00 80.00
Basic per acre *................ 78.00 80.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Water Rental....... Minimum Charge.................. 86.00 86.00
Basic per acre.................. 86.00 86.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackfeet Irrigation Project.................. Basic-per acre.................. 20.00 20.00
Crow Irrigation Project--Willow Creek O&M Basic-per acre *................ 26.00 28.00
(includes Agency, Lodge Grass #1, Lodge Grass
#2, Reno, Upper Little Horn, and Forty Mile
Units).
Crow Irrigation Project--All Others (includes Basic-per acre *................ 26.00 28.00
Bighorn, Soap Creek, and Pryor Units).
[[Page 18774]]
Crow Irrigation Project--Two Leggins Unit..... Basic-per acre.................. 14.00 14.00
Crow Irrigation Two Leggins Drainage District. Basic-per acre.................. 2.00 2.00
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project............... Basic-per acre.................. 16.00 16.00
Fort Peck Irrigation Project.................. Basic-per acre *................ 26.00 26.50
Wind River Irrigation Project--Units 2, 3 and Basic-per acre *................ 22.50 23.50
4.
Wind River Irrigation Project--Unit 6......... Basic-per acre.................. 21.00 21.00
Wind River Irrigation Project--LeClair Basic-per acre.................. 47.00 47.00
District (See Note #2).
Wind River Irrigation Project--Crow Heart Unit Basic-per acre *................ 15.50 15.75
Wind River Irrigation Project--A Canal Unit... Basic-per acre *................ 15.50 15.75
Wind River Irrigation Project--Riverton Valley Basic-per acre *................ 26.00 30.65
Irrigation District.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pine River Irrigation Project................. Minimum Charge per tract........ 50.00 50.00
Basic-per acre *................ 18.00 19.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River Irrigation Project............. Basic per acre up to 5.75 acre- 54.00 54.00
feet.
Excess Water per acre-foot over 17.00 17.00
5.75 acre-feet.
Duck Valley Irrigation Project................ Basic per acre.................. 5.30 5.30
Yuma Project, Indian Unit (See Note #3)....... Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre- 113.00 (\1\)
feet *.
Excess Water per acre-foot over 24.50 27.50
5.0 acre-feet *.
Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre- 113.00 (\1\)
feet (Ranch 5) *.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To be determined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project name Rate category Final 2016 rate Final 2017 rate Proposed 2018 rate **
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Carlos Irrigation Project (Joint Basic per acre *..................... $30.00............................... $25.00............................... $27.90.
Works) (See Note #4).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed 2017 Construction Water Rate Schedule
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off project construction On project construction--gravity On project construction--pump water
water
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Fee................... $300.00.............................. $300.00.............................. $300.00.
Usage Fee............................ $250.00 per month.................... No Fee............................... $100.00 per acre foot.
Excess Water Rate [dagger]........... $5.00 per 1,000 gal.................. No Charge............................ No Charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[dagger] The excess water rate applies to all water used in excess of 50,000 gallons in any one month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final 2016 Proposed 2017
Project name Rate category rate rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Carlos Irrigation Project (Indian Works) Basic per acre.................. $81.00 $81.00
(See Note #5).
Uintah Irrigation Project..................... Basic per acre.................. 18.00 18.00
Minimum Bill.................... 25.00 25.00
Walker River Irrigation Project............... Basic per acre.................. 31.00 31.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Notes irrigation projects where rates are proposed for adjustment.
** The requirement for a proposed 2018 Rate is only applicable to the Flathead and San Carlos Irrigation
Projects due to their specific billing requirements.
Note #1: Federal Register Notice published August 5, 2016 established the proposed 2017 rate for the Flathead
Irrigation Project (81 FR 51927) (no comments were received to the proposed notice, proposed rate will be
issued as final). This notice proposes the 2018 rate for the Flathead Irrigation Project.
Note #2: The O&M rate varies yearly based upon the budget submitted by the LeClair District.
Note #3: 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 2017
is to be determined. The second component is for the O&M rate established by BIA to cover administrative costs
including billing and collections for the Project. The 2017 BIA rate is proposed to be $3.50/acre.
Note #4: The construction water rate schedule proposes the fees assessed for use of irrigation water for non-
irrigation purposes.
A separate proposed Federal Register Notice will establish the final 2017 rate for the SCIP-JW. This notice
proposes the 2018 rate for the SCIP-JW.
Note #5: The proposed 2017 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 $50 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 $25.00 per acre.
The third component is the O&M rate established by the San Carlos Irrigation Project Joint Control Board and
is proposed to be $6 per acre.
[[Page 18775]]
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. The
Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its government-to-
government relationship with Indian Tribes through a commitment to
consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their right to self-
governance and Tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this notice under
the Department's consultation policy and under the criteria of
Executive Order 13175 and have determined there to be substantial
direct effects on federally recognized Tribes because the irrigation
projects are located on or associated with Indian reservations. 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 proposed rate adjustments are not a significant energy action
under the definition in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy
Effects is not required.
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 proposed 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 proposed 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. A statement containing the
information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) is not required.
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
These proposed rate adjustments do not effect a taking of private
property or otherwise have ``takings'' implications under Executive
Order 12630. The proposed rate adjustments do not deprive the public,
state, or local governments of rights or property.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, these
proposed rate adjustments do not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact
statement 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. A
federalism summary impact statement is not required.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
This notice complies with the requirements of Executive Order
12988. Specifically, in issuing this notice, 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, is required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These proposed 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 (OMB), under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number is 1076-0141
and expires June 30, 2019.
National Environmental Policy Act
The Department has determined that these proposed 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: April 12, 2017.
Michael S. Black,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-08202 Filed 4-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
