Bureau of Reclamation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to prepare an EIS for the implementation of the safety modifications for Folsom Dam and Appurtenant Structures (Folsom Safety of Dams Project). Reclamation seeks to improve public safety by modifying Folsom Facilities and its appurtenant structures (Folsom Facilities) to mitigate issues identified in previous and ongoing safety evaluations. Studies are being conducted by Reclamation to identify alternatives (modifications) to address these conditions. Engineering, Economic, and Environmental studies are being conducted to help determine reasonable design alternatives. Information gathered from the EIS process will be used in conjunction with engineering and economic principles to determine preferred alternatives.

The following Water Management Plans are available for review: City of Fairfield City of Fresno Pacheco Water District Solano County Water Agency 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). Note: For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans (Plans) are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans. The above districts have developed Plans, which Reclamation has evaluated and preliminarily determined to meet the requirements of these Criteria. Reclamation is publishing this notice in order to allow the public to review the Plans and comment on the preliminary determinations. Public comment on Reclamation's preliminary (i.e., draft) determination is invited at this time.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comment a DEIS for the renewal of Long- Term Water Service Contracts for the San Luis Unit of the Central Valley Project (CVP). The DEIS describes and presents the environmental effects of three altern atives, including no action, for implementing the renewal of the Long-Term Water Service Contracts. A 45-day public comment period will be allowed to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the DEIS. Reclamation issued a previous version of the DEIS on December 9, 2004 (69 FR 71424). Due to information received during the comment period on the previous DEIS, Reclamation has prepared and is issuing a new DEIS.

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 of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Crop Acreage and Yields and Water Distribution (Water User Crop Census Report [Form 7-332], and Crop and Water Data [Form 7-2045]), OMB Control Number: 1006-0001. We request your comments on the proposed forms and specific aspects of this information collection.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, as joint lead agencies, have prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to assess the consequences of proposed changes in the operation of Sumner Dam and the implementation of a water acquisition program in the Pecos River Basin. The Carlsbad Project Water Operations and Water Supply Conservation DEIS includes a description of alternative means of implementing the proposed federal action and presents an evaluation of the environmental, economic, and social consequences that could result from implementing these alternatives. These proposed changes in water operations are designed to conserve the Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus pecosensis) (shiner) and its designated critical habitat. The water acquisition program is proposed to conserve the Carlsbad Project water supply. In 1987, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the shiner, a small minnow, as a threatened species and designated two noncontiguous river reaches, totaling approximately 101 miles of the Pecos River, as critical habitat. The shiner has undergone significant population declines and range contraction in the last 65 years and is now restricted to about 194 miles from Fort Sumner State Park to Brantley Reservoir. Lower base flows, lower peak flows, and extended duration of peak flows along with river channel degradation, drought, and intermittency have contributed to loss of habitat and increased mortality (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003).

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) developed and published the Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Criteria). Note: For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans (Plans). The CVPIA requires Reclamation to evaluate, and revise if necessary, the Criteria every 3 years. Reclamation is publishing this notice to allow the public to comment on the revised 2005 draft Criteria. Public comment on the revised Criteria is invited at this time. The draft revision is available for review and comment. A copy of the draft revision can be found at the following Web site: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/watershare/ documents/2005DraftCriteria.pdf. A copy of the draft revision can be obtained by contacting persons at the address below. After the review period, if no significant changes are made based on comments from the public, the Criteria will be final. After the Criteria is final, it will be used to evaluate Plans.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and Public Resources Code, sections 21000- 21177 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the lead Federal agency; the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a cooperating Federal agency; and the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), the lead State agency; have prepared a joint Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Final EIS/EIR) for the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project). The Restoration Project proposed action considered by the lead agencies is the five-dam removal alternative that includes the decommissioning and removal of five small hydropower diversion dams, construction of new fish screens at the intakes and fish ladders at three other dams, and the modification of several hydropower facilities to ensure continued hydropower operations. This action will require a FERC license amendment of the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project, owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to submit a request for renewal of an existing approved information collection form, Right-of-Use Application (Form 7-2540), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting this revised Right- of-Use Application form (application) to the Office of Management and Budget for review of the information collection requirements, Reclamation requests public comments on specific aspects of the application form.

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 April 19, 2005. 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.

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: Limited Recipient Identification Sheet and Trust Information Sheet, 43 CFR part 426, OMB Control Number: 1006-0023. As a result of Reclamation's activities to fully implement the acreage limitation provisions applicable to public entities (43 CFR 426.10 and the Act of July 7, 1970, Pub. L. 91-310), a new ``Public Entity Information Sheet'' (Form 7-2565) has been developed for approval as part of this information collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

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: 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. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is proposing a rate adjustment (proposed rate) for Project Use Power for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (P-SMBP), Eastern and Western Division. The proposed rate for Project Use Power is set to recover all annual operating, maintenance, and replacement expenses on the Pick-Sloan power system. The analysis of the proposed Project Use Power Rate is included in a booklet available upon request. The proposed rate for Project Use Power will become effective October 1, 2005. This notice provides the opportunity for public comment. After review of comments received, Reclamation will consider them, revise the rates if necessary, and recommend a proposed rate for approval to the Assistant Secretary of Water and Science.

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) has directed the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to develop additional Colorado River management strategies to address operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead under low reservoir conditions. It is anticipated that, among other potential elements, these strategies could identify those circumstances under which the Department of the Interior (Department) would reduce annual water deliveries, and the manner in which annual operations would be modified.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comments a Draft EIS for the San Luis Drainage Feature Re-evaluation. The Draft EIS describes and presents the environmental effects of the eight alternatives, the no-Action alternative and seven action alternatives. Four public hearings will be held to receive comments from individuals and organizations on the Draft EIS.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is proposing a rate adjustment (proposed rate) for Project Use Power for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (P-SMBP), Eastern and Western Division. The proposed rate for Project Use Power is to recover all annual operating, maintenance, and replacement expenses. The analysis of the proposed Project Use Rate is included in a booklet available upon request. The proposed rate for Project Use Power will become effective August 1, 2005. This notice provides the opportunity for public comment. After review of comments received, Reclamation will consider them, revise the rates if necessary, and recommend a proposed rate for approval to the Secretary of the Interior's Office.

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 10, 2005. 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.

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.

In 2002 the Bureau of Reclamation published a final rule governing public conduct on Bureau of Reclamation Lands (the 2002 rule). The 2002 rule will expire on April 17, 2005. We are developing a new rule to replace the 2002 rule, but the new rule will not be finalized by April 17. This rule extends the effective date of the 2002 rule to allow us time to develop and publish the new rule.

Purpose of Closure Order: This closure is issued to provide for the protection of Federal property and to ensure public safety at Reclamation facilities. Closure Areas: Under the authority of 43 CFR 423.3(b) the following facilities, lands, and waters are closed to the public: The crest of Trinity Dam and adjacent property, buildings, and facilities under the control of Reclamation. The closure area includes the area from the dam crest to the upstream waterline and 700 feet downstream of Trinity Dam and 700 feet on either side of the entire width of the dam downstream.

The following Water Management Plans are available for review: City of Folsom; Plain View Water District; City of Shasta Lake; Tulare 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 has developed and published the Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Criteria). Note: For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans (Plans) are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans. The above districts have developed Plans, which Reclamation has evaluated and preliminarily determined to meet the requirements of these Criteria. Reclamation is publishing this notice in order to allow the public to review the Plans and comment on the preliminary determinations. Public comment on Reclamation's preliminary (i.e., draft) determination is invited at this time.

Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and were pending through December 31, 2004, and contract actions that have been completed or discontinued since the last publication of this notice on October 4, 2004. From the date of this publication, future quarterly notices during this calendar year will be limited to new, modified, discontinued, or completed contract actions. This annual notice should be used as a point of reference to identify changes in future notices. 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 is canceling plans to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) on the AB Lateral Hydropower Project. The hydropower project planned to use existing facilities of the Uncompahgre Valley Reclamation Project and would have been located in Montrose County, Colorado. The reason for canceling is that the project proponents, including the Uncompahgre Valley Water User's Association, have elected not to pursue approval of the project at this time.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) intend to prepare an EIS/EIR for implementing the Long-Term Environmental Water Account (EWA). Reclamation and the FWS are the joint lead Federal agencies and NOAA Fisheries is a cooperating agency. DWR is the lead State agency and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is the responsible agency and trustee agency. A Draft EIS/EIR is expected to be available December 2005. The EWA has been established to provide water for the protection and recovery of fish beyond water available through existing regulatory actions related to the Central Valley Project/State Water Project (Project) operations. The EWA is a cooperative management program whose purpose is to provide protection to the fish of the Bay-Delta estuary through environmentally beneficial changes in project operations. This approach to fish protection requires the acquisition of alternative sources of Project water supply, called ``assets,'' which will be used to augment streamflows and Delta outflows, modify exports to provide fishery benefits, and repay the Project contractors whose supplies have been interrupted by actions taken to benefit fish. The period of analysis for the purposes of the EIS/EIR is through 2030.

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, ArizonaMarch 2-3, 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 3 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 2004 budget expenditures, the FY06 Draft Budget and Work Plan, updates on plans currently in development, and other monitoring and research reports. Other topics of discussion will include status of the Colorado River Basin Fund, Programmatic Agreement membership, basin hydrology, the Humpback Chub Comprehensive Plan, public outreach, environmental compliance progress on proposed actions, 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 (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): Limited Recipient Identification Sheet, Trust Information Sheet for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426, OMB Control Number: 1006-0023. As a result of Reclamation's activities to fully implement the acreage limitation provisions applicable to public entities (43 CFR 426.10 and the Act of July 7, 1970, Public Law 91-310), a new ``Public Entity Information Sheet'' (Form 7-2565) has been developed for approval as part of this information collection. We request your comments on the proposed RRA forms and specific aspects of the information collection.