Bureau of Reclamation 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) determined, after public input, that the proposed P-SMBP project use power rate of 12.55 mills per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is approved and will become effective 30 days after this notice is published.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will prepare an EIS to evaluate expanding the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir and alternatives to improve water supply reliability and water quality for Bay Area water users, particularly those receiving water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and contribute to lower cost implementation of the CALFED Environmental Water Account (EWA). Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Contra Costa Water District will prepare an EIR on the proposed project concurrent with the EIS preparation. A joint EIS/EIR document will be prepared. Reclamation was directed in Public Law 108-7, (Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2003) to conduct a feasibility-level investigation of the potential expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

The permits between the State of Wyoming, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, Division of State Parks and Historic Sites (WSPHS) and the Keyhole and Sundance Boat Clubs at Keyhole Reservoir in northeast Wyoming will not be renewed after their expiration on December 31, 2005. The Bureau of Reclamation is the Federal agency responsible for administering lands and resources associated with Keyhole Reservoir. Keyhole State Park (Park) is managed by Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites through a Memorandum of Understanding with Reclamation that provides WSPHS with the authority to issue permits for limited recreation activities. Permits have been issued by WSPHS to Keyhole and Sundance boat clubs since 1967 to conduct recreation activities as boat clubs. These two boat clubs occupy a total of 18 contiguous acres on Cottonwood Bay and currently have 20 private seasonal occupancy trailers in the permit area, hereafter referred to as the ``area''. This administrative decision results from a review to determine if the existence of the boat clubs conflicts with the best public use of the area as outlined in Part 21.4(a)(1) of 43 CFR Part 21, Occupancy of Cabin Sites on Public Conservation and Recreation Areas. Consideration was given to the following factors listed in 43 CFR 21.4 (a)(1)(i-iv): existing and projected public need for the area, compatibility between public uses and private cabin sites, development potential and plans for the area, and other relevant factors. An analysis of each of these factors is given in ``Supplemental Information''. From this analysis it has been determined that public need for the area currently occupied by Keyhole and Sundance boat clubs has grown to a point where continued use of the area by the boat clubs is no longer in the best public interest.

The notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) and notice of public scoping meetings was published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2005 (70 FR 58469). The Bureau of Reclamation is changing the public scoping meeting dates from November 1 and 3, 2005, to December 12 and 14, 2005. The scoping meeting locations have also changed.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District, and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Pacific Northwest Region, have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to evaluate the effects of alternative flood control at Libby Dam on the Kootenai River and at Hungry Horse Dam on the South Fork Flathead River in western Montana. USACE and Reclamation are making the document available to the public for review and comment through a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register. The overall goal of the DEIS is to evaluate effects of alternative dam operations that are intended to provide reservoir and flow conditions at and below Libby and Hungry Horse Dams for anadromous and resident fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), consistent with authorized project purposes, including maintaining the current level of flood control benefits.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Reclamation has prepared a Final EIS for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan (VSP). The Final EIS outlines the proposed project alternatives that seek to address issues related to the VSP, including the type and level of facilities and services that are appropriate for future uses on Federal land. Of the seven concession contracts at Lake Berryessa, six contracts expire in 2008/ 2009 and one interim contract expires in 2007. The VSP will be used as a basis for future concession contracts.

The Bureau of Reclamation will hold an additional public scoping meeting to solicit input on the scope of the environmental document, alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS to be prepared. The notice of intent to prepare the EIS and notice of public scoping meetings was published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2005 (70 FR 58744).

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation proposes to prepare an EIS for the Shasta Lake Water Resources Investigation (SLWRI). Authorization for the investigation comes from Pub. L. 96-375, 1980; which directs the Secretary of the Interior to engage in feasibility studies related to enlarging Shasta Dam and Reservoir. Other directing legislation includes Title 34 of Pub. L. 102-575, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and Pub. L. 108-137, the Energy and Water Development Act. In addition, enlargement of Shasta Dam was identified in the CALFED Programmatic Environmental Impact Report/Statement and Record of Decision (ROD) and in Pub. L. 108-361, the CALFED Bay-Delta authority.

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given that the Yakima River Basin Conservation Advisory Group, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, Yakima, Washington, established by the Secretary of the Interior, will hold a public meeting. The purpose of the Conservation Advisory Group is to provide technical advise and counsel to the Secretary of the Interior and Washington State on the structure, implementation, and oversight of the Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to conduct public scoping meetings and prepare an EIS for the development of Lower Colorado River Basin Shortage Guidelines and Coordinated Management Strategies for Operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead Under Low Reservoir Conditions. The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) has directed Reclamation to develop additional Colorado River management strategies to address operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead under low reservoir conditions. The proposed action is to develop these guidelines and strategies. Through the NEPA process initiated by this Federal Register notice, Reclamation is considering development of: (1) Specific guidelines that will identify those circumstances under which the Department of the Interior (Department) would reduce annual water deliveries from Lake Mead to the Lower Basin States below the 7.5 million acre-feet (maf) Lower Basin apportionment and the manner in which those deliveries would be reduced, and (2) coordinated management strategies for the operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS have not been developed at this time and will be developed through the NEPA process, including through the upcoming EIS scoping meetings.

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council (Council) was established by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-320) (Act) to receive reports and advise federal agencies on implementing the Act. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Reclamation announces that the Council will meet as detailed below. Dates and Location: The Council will conduct its annual meeting at the following time and location: Tuesday, October 25, 2005Riverside, CaliforniaThe meeting will be held in the Mission Inn located at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m., recess at approximately 1 p.m., and reconvene briefly the following day at 1 p.m.

The Bureau of Reclamation is issuing this proposed rulemaking to establish regulations regarding public access to and conduct on all Reclamation projects, waters, and real property subject to the jurisdiction or administration of Reclamation or in its custody. Reclamation is required by law to issue this rule in order to maintain law and order and protect persons and property on its projects. This proposed rule would supersede the existing Public Conduct rule, and amend provisions located elsewhere to ensure consistency.

The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the public review and comment period for the Draft EIS to Thursday, September 1, 2005. The notice of availability of the Draft EIS and notice of public hearings was published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2005, (70 FR 32370). The public review period was originally scheduled to end on August 1, 2005.

The Adaptive Management Program (AMP) was implemented as a result of the Record of Decision on the Operation of Glen Canyon Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement to comply with consultation requirements of the Grand Canyon Protection Act (Pub. L. 102-575) of 1992. The AMP includes a federal advisory committee (AMWG), a technical work group (TWG), a monitoring and research center, and independent review panels. The AMWG makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior concerning Glen Canyon Dam operations and other management actions to protect resources downstream of Glen Canyon Dam consistent with the Grand Canyon Protection Act. The TWG is a subcommittee of the AMWG and provides technical advice and recommendations to the AMWG. Date and Location: The AMWG will conduct the following public meeting: Phoenix, ArizonaAugust 30-31, 2005. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. on the first day and will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. on the second day. The meeting will be held at the Arizona Department of Water Resources, 500 N. Third Street, Conference Rooms A&B, Phoenix, Arizona. Agenda: The purpose of the meeting will be to review the Fiscal Year 2005 budget expenditures, approve and recommend the FY06 Draft Budget and Work Plan, receive updates on plans currently in development, and other monitoring and research reports. Other topics of discussion will include Glen Canyon Dam operations and maintenance schedule, status of humpback chub efforts, basin hydrology, public outreach, as well as other administrative and resource issues pertaining to the AMP. Time will be allowed for any individual or organization wishing to make formal oral comments (limited to 5 minutes) at the meeting. To allow full consideration of information by the AMWG members, written notice must be provided to Dennis Kubly, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, 125 South State Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84138; telephone (801) 524-3715; faxogram (801) 524-3858; e-mail at dkubly@uc.usbr.gov at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. Any written comments received will be provided to the AMWG and TWG members.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; this notice announces the intentions of the Bureau of Reclamation to seek extension of the information collection for the Lower Colorado River Well Inventory. The current OMB approval expires on January 31, 2006.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on August 10, September 7, October 12, and November 9, 2005. These meetings will focus on the State's intense effort to fulfill the Governor's mandate for an independent fiscal and management review of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program by the end of 2005. Discussions will include a refocus of CALFED on resolving conflicts in the Delta, priority setting, and development of an action plan to finance CALFED over the next 10 years.

This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is renewing the charter for the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on implementation of the CALFED Bay- Delta Program (Program) as described in the Programmatic Record of Decision which outlines the long-term comprehensive solution for addressing the problems affecting the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, Public Law 108-361, and other applicable law. Specific responsibilities of the Committee include: (1) Making recommendations on annual priorities and coordination of Program actions to achieve balanced implementation of the Program elements; (2) providing recommendations on effective integration of Program elements to provide continuous, balanced improvement of each of the Program objectives (ecosystem restoration, water quality, levee system integrity, and water supply reliability); (3) evaluating implementation of Program actions, including assessment of Program area performance; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on Program Plans and Annual Reports describing implementation of Program elements as set forth in the ROD to the Secretary; (5) recommending Program actions taking into account recommendations from the Committee's subcommittees; and (6) liaison between the Committee's subcommittees, the State and Federal agencies, the Secretary, and the Governor. The Committee consists of 20 to 30 members who are appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment: Certification Summary Form and Reporting Summary Form for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number: 1006-0006. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended) the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as lead Federal agency, has prepared a FEIS for the Central Valley Project Long-Term Water Service Contract RenewalsAmerican River Division. The FEIS describes and presents the environmental effects of four alternatives, including no action, for renewal of water service contracts to American River Division contractors that include; the City of Roseville, East Bay Municipal District, El Dorado Irrigation District, Placer County Water Agency, Sacramento County Water Agency, Sacramento Municipal Utilities District, and San Juan Water District. A Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2005 (70 FR 3066). The written comment period on the DEIS ended on March 21, 2005. The FEIS contains responses to all comments received and reflects comments and any additional information received during the review period.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to participate and serve as the lead agency under NEPA in the preparation of a joint EIS/EIR on the Lower Yuba River Accord (Yuba Accord). The Yuba County Water Agency (YCWA), a local public water agency, is proposing the project and will serve as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The purpose of the Yuba Accord is to resolve instream flow issues associated with operation of the Yuba River Development Project (Yuba Project) in a way that protects and enhances lower Yuba River fisheries and local water-supply reliability, while providing revenues for local flood-control and water-supply projects, water for the CALFED Program to use for protection and restoration of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) fisheries, and improvements in state-wide water supply management, including supplemental water for the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP). This notice is published in accordance with NEPA regulations found in 40 CFR 1501.7. The purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. A similar notice is being published by YCWA in accordance with CEQA. Comments and participation in the scoping process are encouraged.

The following Water Management Plans are available for review: James Irrigation District Lindmore Irrigation District City of Lindsay Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utility District Suisan Solano Water Authority Tranquillity Irrigation District To meet the requirements of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA) and the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has developed and published the Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Criteria).

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on June 8, 2005. The second half of the meeting will be held jointly with the California Bay-Delta Authority. The agenda for the Committee meeting will include an orientation for the new Committee members and reports from several of its Subcommittees. The agenda for the joint meeting will include reports from the Director and the Lead Scientist and discussions on short- and long-term funding for the CALFED Bay- Delta Program with State and Federal agency representatives.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Folsom Dam Road Restricted Access action. The action would entail a long-term decision on the closure of Folsom Dam Road to public access. A Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on Friday, December 3, 2004 (69 FR 70278). The written comment period on the Draft EIS ended on Tuesday, January 18, 2005. The Final EIS contains responses to all comments received and reflects comments and any additional information received during the review period.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to extend a current information collection approved by the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB). The collection is entitled Summary of Water Requirements for Crops Grown on Eligible Land, OMB No. 1006-0024. Before submitting the information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval, Reclamation is soliciting comments on specific aspects of that form.