Bureau of Reclamation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 advice 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) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intend to serve as co-lead agencies in the preparation of a joint EIS/EIR for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will serve as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Reclamation will serve as the administrative lead for all actions related to this Federal Register Notice. The BDCP is a conservation plan being prepared to meet the requirements of the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA), the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and the State of California's Natural Communities Conservation Planning Act (NCCPA). DWR and State and Federal water contractors intend to apply for FESA and CESA incidental take permits (ITP) for water operations and management activities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These incidental take authorizations would allow the incidental take of threatened and endangered species resulting from covered activities and conservation measures that will be identified through the planning process including those associated with water operations of the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP), as operated by Reclamation, the California State Water Project (SWP), as operated by DWR, as well as operations of certain Mirant Delta LLC (Mirant Delta) power plants. Additionally, the BDCP will, if feasible, be used as the basis for FESA compliance by Reclamation, including compliance with Section 7 of FESA in coordination with FWS and NMFS. Ultimately, the BDCP is intended to secure authorizations that would allow projects that restore and protect water supply and reliability, water quality, and ecosystem health to proceed within a stable regulatory framework. On January 24, 2008, FWS and NMFS issued a NOI to conduct public scoping and prepare an EIR/EIS regarding the BDCP for the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta, California (73 FR 4178). As the BDCP effort has progressed, Reclamation has determined it has a substantive interest in the development and ultimate implementation of the BDCP. Specifically, Reclamation seeks to improve water supply reliability for its Federal water contractors, while meeting its FESA obligations. Environmental constraints, including measures to protect endangered species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, impair that water supply reliability. The BDCP will recommend actions and conservation measures for implementation to improve both environmental conditions in the Delta and water supply reliability. Reclamation expects the recommended actions and conservation measures to include activities that are within Reclamation's responsibilities. The NOI is, therefore, being reissued to include Reclamation as a co-lead agency, update the status of the BDCP planning process, correct an error in the January 24, 2008, NOI, and to provide notice of scoping meetings. As the Federal lead agencies continue to refine the purpose and need for the project, additional public notices regarding scoping will be issued and additional scoping meetings will be held.

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 is renewing the charter for the Yakima River Basin Conservation Advisory Group (CAG). The purpose of the CAG is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Washington on the structure and implementation of the Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program. In consultation with the State, the Yakama Nation, Yakima River basin irrigators, and other interested and related parties, six members are appointed to serve on the CAG. The basin conservation program is structured to provide economic incentives with cooperative Federal, State, and local funding to stimulate the identification and implementation of structural and nonstructural cost-effective water conservation measures in the Yakima River basin. Improvements in the efficiency of water delivery and use will result in improved streamflows for fish and wildlife and improve the reliability of water supplies for irrigation.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended) and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Fish and Game as lead agencies have made available for public review and comment a joint Draft EIS/EIR for the American Basin Fish Screen and Habitat Improvement Project. The Draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of four alternatives, including no action, to modify the Natomas Mutual Water Company's water division and distribution system, thereby avoiding and minimizing potentially adverse affects to fish, particularly juvenile anadromous fish. A public hearing will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the Draft EIS/EIR.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to prepare an EIS on the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Component of the `Integrated Local Water Supply Plan, Wichita, Kansas' (referred to as the `Equus Beds Division'). The purpose of the Equus Beds Division is to provide a reliable supply of potable water to meet the maximum daily demand within the projected metropolitan area of Wichita, Kansas, through 2050 while protecting the Equus Beds aquifer's water quality. The proposed action would include the diversion of 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of above base flow water from the Little Arkansas River into the Equus Beds aquifer. The proposed action would involve adding a new point of diversion with a proposed new water right to be held by the City of Wichita.

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 approval: Recreation Visitor Use Surveys, Bureau of Reclamation, 17 Western States. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost burden.

The Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region, Central California Area Office will change public use of the Big Island area at Lake Berryessa, specifically the waterway between the Smittle Creek Day Use Area, the Oak Shores Day Use Area, and Big Island. Use will change from a gasoline-powered motorized zone to an electric trolling motor- only zone.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) as lead agencies have made available for public review and comment a joint Draft EIS/EIR for the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and Folsom Power House State Historic Park General Plan/ Resource Management Plan (GP/RMP). The Draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of four alternatives, including no action, for future use of the project area for recreation and resource protection and management. The purpose of the public meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on environmental issues addressed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Written comments will be accepted from individuals and organizations on the Draft EIS/EIR.

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 Draft Planning Report and Environmental Impact Statement (Draft PR/EIS) on the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study (Storage Study). The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is a joint lead with Reclamation in the preparation of the Draft PR/EIS which will also be used to comply with requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The cooperating agencies on this study are 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 Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility 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.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (Authority) are preparing a joint EIS/ EIR, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, to evaluate effects of extending the Grassland Bypass Project (Project) until December 31, 2019. The Project's use of the San Luis Drain (Drain) was only authorized until December 31, 2009. Additionally, subsurface drainage flows discharged to Mud Slough (North) were to have met water quality objectives by October 1, 2010, as required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region's (CVRWQCB) 1998 Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins. However, difficulty in acquiring final funding has delayed the development and availability of treatment and disposal technology to reduce selenium loads to meet the 2010 deadline. It is anticipated that the extension to 2019 would allow enough time to acquire funds and develop feasible treatment technology to meet Basin Plan objectives and Waste Discharge Requirements. A scoping meeting will be held to solicit input on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. Written comments may also be sent.

The Bureau of Reclamation published a notice in the Federal Register on March 6, 2006 (71 FR 11226) announcing the commencement of work under the National Environmental Policy Act on an environmental impact statement for the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS Project). We are now notifying the public that Reclamation has prepared a Draft EIS which is now available for review and comment. The Draft EIS provides information and analyses related to water treatment for the NAWS Project that would further minimize the transfer of potentially invasive species from the Missouri River basin into the Hudson Bay basin from potential treatment or conveyance failures. The Draft EIS analyzes the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of four alternatives.

The Joint meeting of the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee and the California Bay-Delta Authority meeting noticed in the Federal Register on November 8, 2007, Volume 72, Number 217, Page 63628-63629, has been cancelled. The subject meeting will be rescheduled at a later date which is yet to be determined.

The Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 require an annual determination of a discount rate for Federal water resources planning. The discount rate for Federal water resources planning for fiscal year 2008 is 4.875 percent. Discounting is to be used to convert future monetary values to present values.

This notice lists programs or portions of programs that are eligible for inclusion in Fiscal Year 2008 funding agreements with self-governance tribes and lists programmatic targets pursuant to section 405(c)(4) of the Tribal Self-Governance Act.

The Bureau of Reclamation is holding a meeting to inform the public about the Managing for Excellence project. This meeting is the fourth to be held in 2007 to inform the public about the action items, progress, and results of the Managing for Excellence project and to seek broad public input and feedback. Subsequent meetings are anticipated and will be held in collaboration with the public.