[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6199]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

 

Draft Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of the Interim 
Renewal Contract Provisions Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 
California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of workshops.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of 
Reclamation (Reclamation), has developed draft interim guidelines for 
implementation of the interim renewal contracts pursuant to the 
provisions of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). To 
facilitate an understanding of the draft interim guidelines on interim 
renewal contracts, there will be a series of five workshop sessions at 
which the guidelines will be explained in detail. There will be an 
opportunity to ask questions. The sessions are open to the general 
public and are to promote an exchange of ideas and to answer questions 
prior to the finalization of the interim guidelines.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The proposed draft interim guidelines for the 
interim renewal contracts dated March 10, 1994, may be obtained without 
charge by writing to the Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, (MP-
440), 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825. Reclamation is encouraging 
written comments. Please provide all written comments to the above 
address.
    All written comments must be received by April 22, 1994.
    All workshops will be conducted as follows:
     Monday, March 28, 1994, 7-9 p.m., Convention Center, Sand 
Room, 303 E. Acequia, Visalia, California
     Tuesday, March 29, 1994, 7-9 p.m., Tracy Inn Restaurant, 
30 W. Eleventh Street, Tracy, California
     Wednesday, March 30, 1994, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Franco's 
Restaurant, 610 Tehama Street, Willows, California
     Thursday, March 31, 1994, 7-9 p.m., Parc Oakland, 
California Room, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, California
     Friday, April 1, 1994, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Sacramento 
Hilton, Ballroom, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, California

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions by telephone should be 
directed to Betty Riley at (916) 978-5036 (TDD) (916) 978-4417.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3404(c) of the CVPIA provides that 
no long-term repayment or water service contract will be renewed until 
appropriate environmental review, including the programmatic 
environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the Central Valley Project 
(CVP) required under Section 3409 has been completed. The Section 
further provides that the United States and the CVP Contractors may 
enter into interim renewal contracts during the period between 
expiration of their long-term contracts and completion of appropriate 
environmental documentation including the PEIS required under CVPIA. 
The objective of the interim renewal contracts is to provide existing 
CVP Contractors water deliveries during the period from expiration of 
the original contract until the environmental documentation is complete 
in accordance with Section 3404(c) of Public Law 102-575. The interim 
renewal contracts are also intended to provide a means of carrying out 
the goals and requirements of the CVPIA and other provisions of Federal 
and state law.
    To implement these provisions, Reclamation intends to execute an 
initial interim renewal contract with each contractor for a term of up 
to 3 years. Subsequent interim renewal contracts may be provided 
subject to the requirements of these guidelines and applicable law for 
terms of up to 2 years.
    The CVP was originally authorized as an Army Corps of Engineers 
project by the Rivers and Harbors Act of August 30, 1935 (49 Stat. 
1028, 1038). Congressional reauthorization of the project under 
Reclamation law was provided in Section 2 of the Rivers and Harbors Act 
of August 26, 1937 (50 Stat. 844), as amended by the CVPIA and by the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of October 17, 1940 (54 Stat. 1198). Congress 
further reauthorized the project by the Act of October 14, 1949 (663 
Stat. 852) and the Act of September 26, 1950 (64 Stat. 1036). 
Additional units were authorized by the Congress as integral parts of 
the project by the Acts of August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 719); June 3, 1960 
(74 Stat. 156); October 23, 1962 (76 Stat. 1191 and 1192); September 2, 
1965 (79 Stat. 615); August 19, 1967 (81 Stat. 167); August 27, 1967 
(81 Stat. 173); October 23, 1970 (84 Stat. 1097); and September 28, 
1976 (90 Stat. 1328).
    The authority for the interim renewal contracts includes the Acts 
of August 4, 1939, July 2, 1956, June 21, 1963, and October 30, 1992.
    Draft interim guidelines for interim renewal contracts were 
previously made available for review and comment to interested parties 
on February 12, 1993 and July 17, 1993. Reclamation met with interested 
parties to discuss their comments on the previous draft interim 
guidelines. All written comments and comments from the workshop will be 
considered prior to finalizing the draft interim guidelines. The final 
interim guidelines will establish Reclamation's position on issues 
included in the negotiations of all interim renewal contracts.
    Significant issues addressed in the draft interim guidelines 
include the following: The process used to determine water quantities; 
water transfers; water shortages, water quality, water measurement, 
payments and surcharges, and water conservation.

    Dated: March 11, 1994.
James O. Malila,
Acting Deputy Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 94-6199 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P