Bureau of Reclamation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study; Benton, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties, Washington INT-FES 08-65
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared a combined Final Planning Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Final PR/EIS) on the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study (Storage Study). The cooperating agencies on this study are the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), Yakima County, the U.S. Department of the Army: Yakima Training Center and the Seattle District of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Department of Energy: Office of River Protection. The purpose of the Storage Study is to evaluate alternatives that would create additional water storage for the Yakima River Basin and assess their potential to supply the water needed for ecosystem aquatic habitat, basin-wide agriculture, and municipal demands. The need for the study is based on the existing finite water supply and limited storage capability of the Yakima River Basin in low water years. This finite supply and limited storage capacity do not meet the water supply demands in all years and result in significant adverse impact to the Yakima River Basin's economy, which is agriculture-based, and to the basin's aquatic habitat, specifically, anadromous fisheries. The study seeks to identify means of increasing water storage available, including storage of Columbia River water, for purposes of improving anadromous fish habitat and meeting irrigation and municipal water supply needs.
Southern Delivery System, Colorado
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), is notifying the public that Reclamation, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has prepared and made available to the public a final environmental impact statement (Final EIS) for the proposed Southern Delivery System (SDS) project. The non- federal Project Participants (City of Colorado Springs, City of Fountain, Security Water District, and Pueblo West Metropolitan District) have made a request to Reclamation to issue long term excess capacity, conveyance, and exchange contracts for the use of Fryingpan- Arkansas Project facilities. Reclamation needs to decide if the requested contracts will be issued. The Project Participants' purpose is to provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply for their customers through the foreseeable future. The Project Participants' needs are the following: The Project Participants have a need to use developed and undeveloped water supplies to meet most or all projected future demands through 2046. The Project Participants have a need to develop additional water storage, delivery, and treatment capacity to provide system redundancy. The Project Participants have a need to perfect and deliver their existing Arkansas Basin water rights. Reclamation published a Draft EIS on February 29, 2008. Reclamation published a Supplemental Information Report on October 3, 2008 to update and provide additional information that was not in the Draft EIS. Revisions were made to the Final EIS to incorporate additional analyses presented in the Supplemental Information Report, and responses to comments on the Draft EIS and Supplemental Information Report. The Final EIS includes written responses to all public comments on both the Draft EIS and Supplemental Information Report. It also identifies the Participants' Proposed Action as Reclamation's preferred alternative.
California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee Charter Renewal
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.
Public Conduct on Bureau of Reclamation Facilities, Lands, and Waterbodies
This final rule reissues 43 CFR part 423 in its entirety. Amendments to 43 CFR part 423 were published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2008, (73 FR 54977) as an interim final rule. This final rule contains only minor additional changes which we are making in response to the public comments received on the September 24, 2008 interim final rule.
Agency Information Collection; Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
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 March 31, 2009.
Northwest Area Water Supply Project, ND
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is notifying the public that Reclamation has prepared a Final EIS on Water Treatment for the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (Project). The proposed action is to construct a biota water treatment plant for the Project to treat the source water from Lake Sakakawea before it is delivered into the Hudson Bay basin. The Final EIS provides information and analyses related to four water treatment alternatives that would further reduce the risk of a Project-related biological invasion from the Missouri River basin into the Hudson Bay basin. Reclamation published a Draft EIS on December 21, 2007. The public comment period continued through March 26, 2008. Revisions were made in the Final EIS to incorporate responses to comments and identify the preferred alternative and the associated cost estimate. However, these revisions do not significantly impact the analysis or results presented in the Draft EIS. The Final EIS includes written responses to all public comments on the Draft EIS.
Use of Bureau of Reclamation Land, Facilities, and Waterbodies
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is adopting this final rule on the use of Reclamation land, facilities, and waterbodies. This final rule addresses activities involving the possession or occupancy of any portion of, and the extraction or disturbance of any natural resources from, Reclamation land, facilities, and waterbodies. This final rule supersedes the current rule which was originally published in 1983 and partially revised in April 2006.
Truckee River Operating Agreement
The Bureau of Reclamation is publishing this rule to comply with the requirements of the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act. The Settlement Act requires that the operating agreement negotiated with the States of California and Nevada for the operation of Truckee River Reservoirs (the five Federal reservoirs in the Truckee River basin) be promulgated as a Federal Regulation.
Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Water Management Plans
The following Water Management Plans are available for review: Glide Irrigation District Kanawha Water District Panoche Water District Clear Creek Community Services District Arvin Edison Irrigation District
Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other Water-Related Contract Negotiations
Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation and are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this notice on August 12, 2008. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and management of project resources and facilities consistent with section 9(f) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. Additional announcements of individual contract actions may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by the proposed action.
Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program
Reclamation is issuing this interim final rule to establish programmatic criteria for the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program (Rural Water Supply Program), including criteria governing prioritization, eligibility, and the evaluation of appraisal investigations and feasibility studies. Title I of the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006, Public Law 109-451 (Act), authorized Reclamation to establish the Rural Water Supply Program and requires publication of programmatic criteria in the Federal Register. This rule is intended to define for potential participants how the Rural Water Supply Program authorized by the Act will be administered.
Minidoka Dam Spillway Replacement; Minidoka County, ID
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Minidoka Dam Spillway Replacement. Alternatives currently being considered are No Action as required under NEPA, total replacement of the spillway and headgate structures, or replacement of just the spillway. Reclamation is requesting early public comment and agency input to help identify significant issues or other alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. Information obtained during the scoping period will help in developing information to be included in the EIS. A draft EIS is expected to be provided to the public for review by winter, 2009 followed by opportunities to provide written and oral comments. The final EIS is scheduled for completion in winter, 2010. A Record of Decision, describing which alternative is selected for implementation, and the rationale for its selection, would then be issued following a 30-day waiting period.
Folsom Dam Safety of Dams Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam (MIAD) Modification, California
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation, the lead Federal agency, and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), acting as the lead State agency, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the proposed Folsom Dam Safety of Dams MIAD Modification (Proposed Action). The purpose of the Proposed Action is to reduce the seismic and static risk of failure of MIAD. In this way, Reclamation will achieve the existing standards for dam safety and reduce the risk of injury to those people living and working downstream of the Folsom Dam complex.
Windy Gap Firming Project; Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Grand and Larimer Counties, CO
The Bureau of Reclamation is announcing a 62-day extension of the public comment period for the Windy Gap Firming Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The originally announced comment period ends on October 28, 2008, but has been extended until December 29, 2008. The original Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) and Announcement of Public Hearings was published in the Federal Register (73 FR 50999) on August 29, 2008.
Agency Information Collection; Proposed Revisions to a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Individual Landholder's and Farm Operator's Certification and Reporting Forms for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number: 1006-0005. This information collection is required under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA), Acreage Limitation Rules and Regulations, 43 CFR part 426, and Information Requirements for Certain Farm Operations In Excess of 960 Acres and the Eligibility of Certain Formerly Excess Land, 43 CFR part 428. We request your comments on the revised RRA forms and specific aspects of the information collection.
Agency Information Collection; Proposed Revisions to a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Certification Summary Form, Reporting Summary Form for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number: 1006-0006. This information collection is required under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA), Acreage Limitation Rules and Regulations, 43 CFR part 426, and Information Requirements for Certain Farm Operations In Excess of 960 Acres and the Eligibility of Certain Formerly Excess Land, 43 CFR part 428. We request your comments on the revised RRA forms and specific aspects of the information collection.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Revisions to a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Forms to Determine Compliance by Certain Landholders, 43 CFR part 426, OMB Control Number: 1006-0023. We request your comments on the proposed Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA) forms and specific aspects of the information collection.
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended; System of Records
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is issuing public notice of its intent to establish a system of records in its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Department is also issuing notice of its intent to exempt the system from specific Privacy Act requirements, as described within the section titled ``Exemptions claimed for the system.'' The system of records is called InteriorWBR-50, Reclamation Law Enforcement Management Information System (RLEMIS).
Cachuma Lake Resource Management Plan (RMP), Santa Barbara County, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the review period for the DEIS to October 31, 2008. The notice of availability of the DEIS was published in the Federal Register on July 25, 2008 (73 FR 43472). The public review period was originally to end on September 23, 2008.
Lake Casitas Resource Management Plan (RMP), Ventura County, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the review period for the DEIS to October 31, 2008. The notice of availability of the DEIS was published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2008 (73 FR 43785). The public review period was originally to end on September 26, 2008.
Southern Delivery System Project, CO
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, is announcing the opportunity for the public to review and comment on a SIR for the SDS Draft EIS. A public hearing to supplement the opportunity to comment on the SIR is also being announced. Reclamation previously published a notice in the Federal Register (73 FR 50055) on August 25, 2008, providing for extended public commenting on the water quality portion of the Draft EIS. Since then Reclamation has completed additional water quality analysis and is providing an opportunity for the public to comment on the new analysis. With this notice Reclamation is therefore closing the comment period on the original water quality analysis as mentioned in the August 25, 2008, notice and opening the comment period for the new water quality analysis. Reclamation has included this analysis in a SIR for the Draft EIS that updates and provides additional information that was not in the Draft EIS. The additional information includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following topics: water quality analyses, potential effects on the western slope of Colorado, potential effects of a failure of new dams, effects of physical changes to the alternatives and reasonably foreseeable actions, clarification of Reclamation's purpose and need statement, changes in the project sponsors' Proposed Action, and identification of Reclamation's preferred alternative. The new and additional information is contained in the report titled ``Supplemental Information Report for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Southern Delivery System Project, Colorado.'' For access to the report and dates and locations of the public hearing, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section in this announcement.
Notice of Recreation User Fee for Tours at Glen Canyon Dam
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will begin charging a recreation user fee to take the guided tour of Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant. Reclamation has determined that the new fee is reasonable and appropriate to specifically offset at least, in part, increased costs associated with public visitation to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. The Visitor Center, located 700 feet above the Colorado River overlooking Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge, accommodates about one million visitors each year. The Visitor Center is jointly operated by Reclamation and the National Park Service. The new fee will initially be $5.00 per adult with a reduced fee schedule for certain groups as follows: seniors (age 62 and over) will be $4.00, children ages 7-16 will be $2.50, members of the U.S. military will be $4.00, and school groups will be $0.50 per person. There will be no fee charged for children six years of age and under. These fees will be reviewed and adjusted, as appropriate, in subsequent years.
Bureau of Reclamation Loan Guarantees
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes this rule establishing eligibility criteria and program requirements for loan guarantees authorized by the Twenty-first Century Water Works Act (Title II of Pub. L. 109-451; 43 U.S.C. 2421-2434) (Act). This rule is intended to define for potential participants how the loan guarantees authorized by the Act will be administered. The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to make loan guarantees for three categories of projects: Category (A) projects are rural water supply projects as defined in section 102(9) of the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (Title I of Pub. L. 109-451; 43 U.S.C.2401-2409) (Rural Water Supply Act of 2006); A category (B) project is an extraordinary operation and maintenance activity for, or the rehabilitation or replacement of, a facility that is authorized by Federal reclamation laws and constructed by the United States under such law; or in connection with which there is a repayment or water service contract executed by the United States under Federal reclamation law; or A category (C) project is an improvement to water infrastructure directly associated with a reclamation project that, based on a determination of the Secretary improves water management; and fulfills other Federal goals. For purposes of this rule, these will be referred to as category (A), (B), or (C) projects. The Act provides that, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior may provide loan guarantees for eligible projects. The Act requires the Secretary to develop criteria for determining the eligibility of a project for financial assistance, and to publish them in the Federal Register. The intent of this rulemaking is to meet this requirement, as well as to define for potential participants how the loan guarantee will be administered. Reclamation will administer the program. Reclamation will take into account the comments on this rule in developing final regulations. Reclamation recognizes that the rule will be modified in the future to more specifically address category (A) projects and to address modifications in administration as a result of experience gained through the first requests.
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council
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.
Agency Information Collection; Proposed Revisions to a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation, we) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Right-of-Use Application (Form 7-2540), OMB Control Number: 1006-0003. Title 43 CFR part 429 requires that applicants for certain uses of Bureau of Reclamation land apply using Form 7-2540. We request your comments on specific aspects of the revised Right-of-Use Application Form.
Public Conduct on Bureau of Reclamation Facilities, Lands, and Waterbodies
This final rule will amend the regulations that govern public access to and conduct on Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) facilities, lands, and waterbodies. This action is necessary to clarify rules that are intended to maintain law and order and protect persons and property on Reclamation facilities, lands, and waterbodies. This action will help the public better understand their rights and responsibilities.
Franks Tract, Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, CA
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) intend to prepare an EIS/EIR for the Franks Tract Project. Reclamation is the lead Federal agency under NEPA and DWR is the lead State agency under CEQA for preparation of the EIS/EIR. The Franks Tract Project is designed to address water quality and fish protection issues in the central and southern Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). The project would consist of the construction of barriers around Franks Tract to prevent salinity intrusion and the movement of sensitive fish species into the central and southern Delta.
Operation of the Truckee River and Other Reservoirs
The Bureau of Reclamation is proposing this rule to comply with the requirements of the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act. The Settlement Act requires that the operating agreement negotiated with the States of California and Nevada for the operation of Truckee River Reservoirs (the five Federal reservoirs in the Truckee River basin) be promulgated as a Federal Regulation.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Intake Diversion Dam Modification, Lower Yellowstone Project, Montana
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers (Corps) propose to jointly prepare an EIS that analyzes and discloses effects associated with modifications to Intake Diversion Dam. The proposed Federal action is to modify Intake Diversion Dam and canal headworks, features of Reclamation's Lower Yellowstone Project, to improve passage and reduce entrainment for endangered pallid sturgeon and other native fish in the lower Yellowstone River. Reclamation and the Corps will serve as joint lead Federal agencies in the preparation of the Intake Diversion Dam Modification EIS. Reclamation will act as administrative lead for NEPA compliance activities during preparation of the EIS. Reclamation and the Corps will each consider and approve a Record of Decision regarding actions and decisions for which the respective agencies are responsible.
San Luis Low Point Improvement Project, California
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in coordination with the San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority, intend to prepare an EIS/EIR for the San Luis Low Point Improvement Project (Low Point Project). Reclamation is the lead Federal agency and Santa Clara Valley Water District is the lead State agency for preparation of the EIS/EIR. The Low Point Project is designed to address water supply reliability issues in San Luis Reservoir associated with conditions occurring in summer months when water levels are low. During this time, reservoir-wide growth of algae makes the water unsuitable for certain agricultural and municipal and industrial users in the San Felipe Division with existing treatment facilities (also known as the ``low point issue'').
Windy Gap Firming Project; Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Grand and Larimer Counties, CO
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has completed the Windy Gap Firming Project Draft EIS. It is now available for public review and comment. Two public hearings are scheduled during the comment period. The Draft EIS describes and discloses the estimated environmental effects of five alternatives, including a no action alternative and four action alternatives that accomplish the purpose and need for the project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Western Area Power Administration (Western), and the Board of County Commissioners, Grand County, Colorado (Grand County) are cooperating agencies that are providing assistance in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Southern Delivery System Project, Colorado
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, is announcing the opportunity to provide additional comments on the water quality analysis portion of the Draft EIS. The original 60-day comment period for the Draft EIS was scheduled to end on April 26, 2008 but was extended to June 13, 2008. Comments received during this period expressed a concern about the section addressing water quality analysis. In order to address these comments, an additional water quality analysis is being prepared for the Draft EIS. This analysis will augment and reinforce the existing analysis for the Draft EIS. Reclamation will continue to receive comments on the existing water quality portion of the Draft EIS while the additional analysis is performed.
Odessa Subarea Special Study; Adams, Franklin, Grant, Lincoln and Walla Walla Counties, WA
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Odessa Subarea Special Study. The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is a joint lead with Reclamation in the preparation of this Environmental Impact Statement which will also be used to comply with requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The purpose of Reclamation's Odessa Subarea Special Study is to evaluate alternatives that would deliver project water from the Columbia Basin Project (CBP) to lands currently using groundwater for irrigation in the Odessa Ground Water Management Subarea. The Study is needed to fulfill the obligation Reclamation made in a Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Washington (State) and the Project irrigation districts in December 2004, which included cooperating on a study to explore opportunities for delivery of Columbia Basin Project water to existing groundwater-irrigated lands within the Odessa Subarea. Action is needed to avoid significant economic loss, in the near term, to the region's agricultural sector because of resource conditions associated with continued decline of the aquifers in the Odessa Subarea. Groundwater in the Odessa Subarea is currently being depleted to such an extent that water must be pumped from great depths. Pumping depths are 750 feet in some areas, and well depths are as great as 2,100-2,400 feet. Well drilling costs and pumping water from this depth have resulted in expensive power costs and water quality concerns such as high water temperatures and high sodium concentrations. The ability of farmers to irrigate their crops is at risk. Domestic, commercial, municipal, and industrial uses and water quality are also affected. Those irrigating with wells of lesser depth live with uncertainty about future well production. Washington State University conducted a regional economic impact study assessing the effects of lost potato production and processing in Adams, Franklin, Grant, and Lincoln counties from continued aquifer decline. Assuming that all potato production and processing is lost from the region, the analysis estimated the regional economic impact would be a loss of about $630 million dollars annually in regional sales, a loss of 3,600 jobs, and a loss of $211 million in regional income (Bhattacharjee and Holland 2005).
South Coast Conduit/Upper Reach Reliability Project, Santa Barbara County, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Federal lead agency and the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB) is the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State lead agency. Together, these agencies have made available for public review and comment the draft EIS/EIR. The South Coast Conduit (SCC)/Upper Reach Project involves installation of a second water pipeline for improving water supply reliability to Cachuma Project (CP) and State Water Project (SWP) customers on the south coast of Santa Barbara County. This draft EIS/ EIR addresses changes to the physical, natural, and human environment that would occur as a result of installing and operating the second pipeline.
Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other Water-Related Contract Negotiations
Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation and are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this notice on May 9, 2008. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and management of project resources and facilities consistent with section 9(f) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. Additional announcements of individual contract actions may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by the proposed action.
Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group
This notice is published in accordance with section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463, as amended). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is renewing the charter for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group. The purpose of the Adaptive Management Work Group is to advise and to provide recommendations to the Secretary with respect to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and the exercise of other authorities pursuant to applicable Federal law.
Lake Casitas Resource Management Plan (RMP), Ventura County, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, has made available for public review and comment the Lake Casitas draft EIS. The draft EIS describes and presents the environmental effects of the No-Action Alternative and two (2) Action Alternatives. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the draft EIS.
American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency have prepared a Final EIS/EIR for the American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project (Project). The Project is located in northwestern Sacramento County and southern Sutter County. The Project modifies the Natomas Mutual Water Company's water diversion from the Sacramento River and distribution system, thereby avoiding and minimizing potentially adverse affects to fish, particularly juvenile anadromous fish. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2008 (Volume 73, No. 42). The written comment period on the Draft EIS/EIR ended May 2, 2008. The Final EIS/ EIR contains responses to all comments received and any additional information received during the review period.
North San Pablo Bay Restoration and Reuse Project, California
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the lead Federal agency, and the Sonoma County Water Agency, acting as administrator for the North Bay Water Reuse Authority (NBWRA) and the lead State agency, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the proposed North San Pablo Bay Restoration and Reuse Project (Proposed Action). The purpose of the Proposed Action is to create a regional wastewater reuse project to provide recycled water for agricultural, urban, and environmental uses as an alternative to discharging treated wastewater to San Pablo Bay. In this way, water demand issues and wastewater discharge issues of the region can be addressed in an integrated and synergistic manner.
Millerton Lake Resource Management Plan/General Plan (RMP/GP), Madera and Fresno Counties, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the California Department of Parks & Recreation (CDPR), as the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency, have made available for public review and comment the Millerton Lake draft EIS/EIR. The draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of the No- Action Alternative and three (3) Action Alternatives. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the draft EIS/EIR.
Cachuma Lake Resource Management Plan (RMP), Santa Barbara County, CA
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, has made available for public review and comment the Cachuma Lake draft EIS. The draft EIS describes and presents the effects of the No-Action Alternative and two (2) Action Alternatives on the development and management of the Plan Area. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the draft EIS.
Use of Bureau of Reclamation Land, Facilities, and Waterbodies
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes a rule on the use of Reclamation land, facilities, and waterbodies. The proposed rule addresses among other topics the cost recovery of fees for authorized uses involving the possession or occupancy of any portion of, and the extraction or disturbance of any natural resource from Reclamation land, facilities, and waterbodies; how to apply for a use authorization including what application forms to use; and what uses are prohibited and associated consequences. When finalized, the proposed rule will supersede the current rule which was originally published in 1983 and partially revised in April 2006.
Regulating the Use of Lower Colorado River Water Without an Entitlement
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to address and eliminate the use of Colorado River water from the mainstream in the lower Colorado River basin (Lower Basin) without an entitlement. For the last eight years, the upper and lower Colorado River basins have experienced the worst drought conditions in approximately one hundred years of recorded history. This drought is the first sustained drought to be experienced on the Colorado River when all major storage facilities are in place and when Arizona, California, and Nevada (Lower Division States) are fully utilizing their basic Colorado River water apportionment of 7.5 million acre-feet per year. Reclamation believes that development of such a rule will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the lower Colorado River and in doing so will protect the water rights of lower Colorado River water entitlement holders. The rule establishes procedures that Reclamation will follow in making determinations of unlawful use of lower Colorado River water. The rule includes notice and appeal procedures for those persons or entities whose use of lower Colorado River water is identified as unlawful. Reclamation is seeking comments on the proposed rule including comments that identify any specific economic impacts to members of the public and to small businesses located within the boundary of the river aquifer. The comments should include any identified or potential economic impacts and the estimated costs of the impacts.
Opening an Area to Off Road Vehicle Use on Bureau of Reclamation Lands at Belle Fourche Reservoir, SD
In accordance with 43 CFR 420 ``Off Road Vehicle Use'', the Bureau of Reclamation is opening a 35 acre area to off-road-vehicle (ORV) use at Belle Fourche Reservoir. The legal description of the ORV area is: T. 9 N., R. 4 E., Section 18, SE1/4 NE1/4 and NE1/4 SE1/4. The ORV area will allow Reclamation to direct and concentrate ORV use and effectively enforce elimination of unmanaged ORV use at other areas of the reservoir. The ORV area would be open to dirt bikes and 4-wheelers and other similar size vehicles but not to full size vehicles. Reclamation will provide for law enforcement patrols and inspections of the area. Regulations for the ORV area will be posted at the entrance. The perimeter will be marked by signs or fences. ORV use will only be allowed within this area. Outside of the ORV area, motorized vehicles will be restricted to established gravel or paved roads and must be legally licensed and operated by a licensed driver in accordance with South Dakota State law. The regulations for the Belle Fourche Reservoir ORV area are as follows: Requirementsvehicles: Each off-road vehicle that is operated on Reclamation lands shall meet the following requirements: (a) It shall conform to applicable State laws and vehicle registration requirements. (b) It shall be equipped with a proper muffler and spark arrestor in good working order and in constant operation. The spark arrestor must conform to Forest Service Spark Arrestor Standard 5100-1a, and there shall be no muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. (c) It shall have adequate brakes and, for operation from dusk to dawn, working headlights and taillights. Requirementsoperators: (a) Operators shall comply with any applicable State laws pertaining to off-road vehicles. (b) Each operator of an off-road vehicle operated on Reclamation lands shall possess a valid motor vehicle operator's permit or license; or, if no permit or license is held, he/she shall be accompanied by or under the immediate supervision of a person holding a valid permit or license. (c) During the operation of snowmobiles, trail bikes, and any other off road vehicle the operator shall wear safety equipment, generally accepted or prescribed by applicable State law or local ordinance for use of the particular activity in which he/she is participating. (d) No person may operate an off-road vehicle (1) in a reckless, careless or negligent manner; (2) in excess of established speed limits; (3) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (4) in a manner likely to cause irreparable damage or disturbance of the land, wildlife, vegetative resources, or archeological and historic values of resources; or (5) in a manner likely to become an unreasonable nuisance to other users of Reclamation or adjacent lands.
Red Bluff Diversion Dam Fish Passage Improvement Project
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency. The Tehama Colusa Canal Authority (TCCA) is the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency. Together, these agencies have prepared a Final EIS/EIR for the Red Bluff Diversion Dam Fish Passage Improvement Project (Project). The Project provides for improved fish passage at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam as called for by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act section 3406 (b)(10), while also providing for continued agricultural water deliveries to TCCA member districts. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on September 6, 2002 (Volume 67, No. 173). The written comment period on the Draft EIS/EIR ended December 6, 2002. On January 30, 2007, Reclamation published a second Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS/EIR in the Federal Register (Volume 72, No. 19), which began an additional comment period lasting through March 16, 2007. The Final EIS/EIR contains responses to all comments received and changes made to the text of the Draft EIS/EIR as a result of those comments and any additional information received during the review period.
Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other Water-Related Contract Negotiations
Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this notice on March 4, 2008. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and management of project resources and facilities consistent with section 9(f) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. Additional announcements of individual contract actions may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by the proposed action.
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council
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.
Environmental Water Account
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are the Federal Cooperating Agencies. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency, and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is the State Responsible and Trustee Agency. Together, these five agencies have prepared a Final Supplemental EIS/EIR for the Environmental Water Account (EWA). The EWA Program provides for fish protection and recovery in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) while at the same time improving water supply reliability for Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) water users. The Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR addressed changes to the regulatory and physical environment that have occurred since completion of the Final EIS/EIR in January 2004 (69 FR 3599) and the Records of Decision in March 2004 and September 2004.
Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG)
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. Dates and Addresses: The AMWG will conduct the following meeting: Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008. The meeting will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. on the first day and will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. on the second day. The meeting will be held at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2 Arizona Center, 400 N. 5th Street, 12th Floor, Conference Rooms A&B, in Phoenix, Arizona. Agenda: The purpose of the meeting will be for the AMWG to receive updates and discuss the following items: (1) Preliminary results from the March 2008 high flow experiment, (2) humpback chub comprehensive plan and recovery plan updates, (3) science symposium planning, (4) 2008 fiscal year expenditures, (5) draft 2009 fiscal year budget, (6) AMP strategic plan revision, (7) next steps for AMP experiments, and (8) other subjects of AMP administration. To view a copy of the draft agenda, please visit Reclamation's Web site at: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/ rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/08may22/. Time will be allowed for any individual or organization wishing to make formal oral comments at the meeting. To allow for 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; facsimile 801-524-3858; e-mail at dkubly@uc.usbr.gov at least five (5) days prior to the call. Any written comments received will be provided to the AMWG members.
Southern Delivery System, Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado
Reclamation is announcing an extension of the public comment period for the Southern Delivery System DEIS. The original comment period published in the Federal Register (73 FR 11144) was scheduled to end on April 26, 2008. We are now notifying the public that Reclamation is extending the comment period to June 13, 2008. Reclamation is also announcing a public listening session that will be held in Pueblo, Colorado on May 29, 2008. We are hosting this meeting to provide an additional opportunity for the interested public to provide comments on the DEIS. Reclamation will not be responding to comments or answering questions publically at this meeting. The intent of this meeting is to listen to and record comments made by the public. All comments received on the DEIS will have corresponding responses published in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
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