Reclamation Bureau – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Reclamation will be initiating negotiations with the Westlands Water District (District) of California to negotiate and execute a long term repayment contract to provide for the terms and conditions for reimbursement of costs related to the construction of drainage facilities within the District. This action is being undertaken to satisfy the federal government obligation to provide drainage service to the District located within the San Luis Unit of the Central Valley Project in California.

The Bureau of Reclamation, as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the Contra Costa Water District, as the California Environmental Quality Act lead agency, have prepared the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Final EIS/EIR. Los Vaqueros Expansion is a proposed action in the August 2000 CALFED Bay-Delta Program Programmatic Record of Decision. The Final EIS/EIR evaluated two options for expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir from its existing capacity of 100 thousand acre-feet (TAF). A 175 TAF expansion option would expand the reservoir to 275 TAF. This expansion option would be operated for environmental water management and San Francisco Bay Area water supply reliability. A 60 TAF expansion option would expand the reservoir to 160 TAF. This second option would primarily be operated to improve Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) dry year water supply reliability and water quality.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Municipal Water District (Western) will prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the proposed Riverside-Corona Feeder Project. The public and agencies are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS/EIR and the proposed alternatives.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review a Final RMP/EIS for the New Melones Lake Area. The Final RMP/EIS 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.

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 Final EIS/EIR for the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and Folsom Power House State Historic Park General Plan/Resource Management Plan (GP/RMP). The GP/RMP involves alternatives for future use of the project area for recreation and resource protection and management.

The Bureau of Reclamation, together with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) as cooperating agencies are cancelling the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the South Valley Facilities Expansion (SVFE) Project, published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2008 (73 FR 21155).

On December 10, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Department of the Interior (Department) would initiate development of a High-Flow Experimental Protocol (Protocol) for releases from Glen Canyon Dam as part of the ongoing implementation of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (AMP). High-flow experimental releases have been undertaken in the past and will be further analyzed and implemented pursuant to the direction of the Secretary to assess the ability of such releases to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established. As part of the AMP, the Department's effort to develop the Protocol is a component of its efforts to comply with the requirements and obligations established by the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-575) (GCPA).

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the lead Federal agency and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), the CEQA lead agency, have made available for public review and comment a Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR for the MIAD Modification Project.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is preparing a RMP/EIS for Contra Loma Reservoir and Recreation Area to establish uniform policy and land management guidelines that promote an organized use, development, and management of the Contra Loma Reservoir and the surrounding recreational area lands. The RMP/EIS shall be prepared to meet all Federal and Reclamation standards. These standards include consideration of appropriate Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Federal Water Project Recreation Act, and the Reclamation Recreation Management Act, as applicable. Reclamation will conduct a workshop for the benefit of the various Stakeholders. The purpose of the workshop is to provide the Stakeholders information relative to Reclamation uniform policies, including land management guidelines that promote use, management, and development, of the Contra Loma Reservoir and the surrounding recreational area lands. A public scoping meeting will be announced at a later date for the purpose of soliciting input on the alternatives,

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comment a Draft RMP/EIS for the New Melones Lake Area. The Draft RMP/EIS 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 meetings is to provide the public with an

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the Federal lead agency, and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (Authority), the State lead agency, have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the continuation of the Grassland Bypass Project until December 31, 2019 (Project). Reclamation proposes to enter a Use Agreement with the Authority for the continued use of a portion of the San Luis Drain after 2009 to convey subsurface agricultural irrigation water to Mud Slough (North). The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board would need to revise their Basin Plan Amendment to delay compliance with selenium objectives for 2010 and amend the existing Waste Discharge Requirements for the Project in order to allow for anticipated drainage discharge into Mud Slough, and the Authority and the California Department of Fish and Game will need to amend their existing Memorandum of Understanding for the portion of Mud Slough North in the State's China Island Wildlife Area. Reclamation and the Authority would need to remove existing and future sediments from the affected portion of the San Luis Drain.

The following Water Management Plans are available for review:

The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) are proposing to prepare a joint EIS/EIR, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to evaluate effects of the proposed Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Low Flow Channel and Structural Improvements Project (Proposed Action) under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP or Program). The Proposed Action includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of a low flow channel in Reach 4B of the San Joaquin River and in the Eastside and Mariposa bypasses and improvements to facilities in the Eastside and Mariposa bypasses to allow for fish passage. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to comply with the San Joaquin River Settlement by improving conveyance capacity in Reach 4B of the San Joaquin River to ensure conveyance of at least 475 cubic feet per second (cfs), modifying the Eastside and Mariposa bypass channels to establish a low flow channel, and modifying structures in the Eastside and Mariposa bypasses to provide for fish passage. The Proposed Action is a component of the San Joaquin River Settlement.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the El Dorado County Water Agency (EDCWA) as lead agencies have made available for public review and comment a joint Draft EIS/EIR for a Proposed Water Service Contract pursuant to Public Law 101-514. The Draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of four alternatives, including no action, of entering into a long-term Central Valley Project (CVP) water service contract with EDCWA.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comment the Draft EIS for the Madera Irrigation District Water Supply Enhancement Project (MID WSEP). Reclamation proposes to approve the banking of up to 55,000 acre-feet per year of Central Valley Project (CVP) water outside the MID service area and the alteration of Reclamation-owned facilities. The total banking capacity of the MID WSEP is 250,000 acre-feet.

The Glen Canyon Dam 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, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), a technical work group (TWG), a Grand Canyon 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.

The Glen Canyon Dam 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, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), a technical work group (TWG), a Grand Canyon 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.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), Public Law (Pub. L.) 92-199, and the general authority to conduct water resources planning under the Reclamation Act of 1902 and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in cooperation with the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Gallup, State of New Mexico, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Heath Service, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, and Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, has prepared and made available to the public a Planning Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PR/FEIS). This document was undertaken to provide a discussion for the (1) Various ways to provide a municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply to the Navajo Nation, City of Gallup, and Jicarilla Apache Nation; (2) identification of a preferred alternative; and (3) associated environmental impacts and costs of the No Action and two action alternatives.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) has forwarded the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Forms to Determine Compliance by Certain Landholders, 43 CFR part 426, OMB Control Number: 1006-0023.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) has forwarded the following Information Collection Request (ICR) 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. This ICR 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. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the National Environmental Policy Act Federal lead agency, and the Sonoma County Water Agency, acting as administrator for the North Bay Water Reuse Authority (NBWRA) and the California Environmental Quality Act State lead agency, have made available for public review and comment the North Bay Water Recycling Program Draft EIS/EIR. The purpose of the project 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

The Bureau of Reclamation's Central California Area Office (CCAO) at Lake Berryessa will temporarily change public use at Oak Shores Day Use Area. After 50 years, concession contracts have expired and recreational opportunities provided at four closed resorts are no longer available. Until such time as new contracts can be awarded, Reclamation will provide a change from day use to overnight camping at this area. The North End of Oak Shores will be converted from day use only to overnight camping with up to 100 sites. Camping will be considered semi-primitive and will provide potable water spigots, restroom facilities, fire rings, picnic tables and some shade shelters. This change in use will serve to enhance public safety, provide additional public recreational services while providing for and protection of cultural and natural resources.

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.

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 California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), acting as the lead State agency, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the proposed Nimbus Fish Hatchery Weir Replacement Project (Project). The purpose of the Project is to create and maintain a reliable system of collecting adult fish for use in the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (Hatchery).

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): Recreation Use Data Report, OMB Control Number 1006-0002. As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, Reclamation invites State and local governmental entities that manage recreation sites at Reclamation projects; concessionaires, subconcessionaires, and not-for- profit organizations who operate concessions on Reclamation lands; and the general public, to comment on this information collection.