[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37923-37924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18469]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation


Resource Management Plan and Draft Environment Impact Statement 
for Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of scoping meeting and intent to prepare a draft 
environment impact statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes 
through a private consultant to prepare a draft environment impact 
statement (DEIS) in conjunction with the Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
for Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs, New Mexico. Reclamation 
through its' consultant, will conduct a scoping meeting to inform the 
public of significant issues identified to date, and to identify 
additional issues that should be analyzed in the DEIS.

DATES: The meeting will be held on August 28, 1996, An ``Open House'' 
will

[[Page 37924]]

be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a more structured meeting 
scheduled to begin immediately following the ``Open House''.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Civic Center, 400 West 4th 
Street, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clay McDermeit, Reclamation Team 
Leader for the Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoir RMP, 505 Marquette 
N.W., Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102; Telephone (505) 248-
5391; or Ms. Rosemary Romero, Public Involvement Specialist, Western 
Network, 811 St. Michael's Drive, Suite 106, Santa Fe, New Mexico 
87505; Telephone 1-800-326-9805.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the RMP is to produce a 
written management document, consistent with existing laws, treaties, 
and compacts, that may be used as guide by Reclamation and other 
involved agencies in the allocation of resources and appropriate uses 
of both lands and waters within the reservation boundaries.
    The RMP will address: (1) Multiple uses, and (2) other agency 
management functions as delegated through various agreements with 
Reclamation. The DEIS will present an analysis of the impacts of 
alternative management practices associated with the land and water 
resources at both reservoirs.
    Four ``open house'' meetings were previously held during February 
1996 in El Paso, Las Cruces, Truth or Consequences and Albuquerque to 
solicit input form agencies and the general public on issues that 
should be addressed during the development of the RMP. As a result of 
these meetings and further discussions with the planning work group and 
the general public, it has been determined that a draft environmental 
impact statement will be prepared in conjunction with the RMP.
    Reclamation has previously prepared four NEPA documents that 
address operation and maintenance activities on the Rio Grande in the 
vicinity of both reservoirs. The documents are:
    * Final Environmental Impact Statement, Operation and Maintenance 
Program for the Rio Grande-Velarde to Caballo Dam-Rio Grande and Middle 
Rio Grande Projects (1977);
    * Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact, Rio Grande Conveyance rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance 
Program, Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico (1982);
    * Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact, Rio Grande Channel Restoration, Operation and Maintenance 
Program, Elephant Butte Dam to Caballo Reservoir, Sierra County, New 
Mexico, (1985); and
    * Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement-
River Maintenance Program for the Rio Grande-Velarde to Caballo Dam, 
Rio Grande and Middle Rio Grande Projects, New Mexico.
    During the ``Open House'' and the more structured part of the 
Scoping Meeting, agencies and the general public are encouraged to 
submit written comments and may request additional clarification of the 
RMP and EIS process. Anyone interested in more information concerning 
the study should contact Mr. Clay McDarmeit or Ms. Romero.
    The Truth or Consequences Civic Center is accessible to the 
disabled. However, any individuals requiring special assistance at the 
meeting should make their needs known in advance to Ms. Romero.

    Dated: July 16, 1996.
Garry Mr. Rowe,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-18469 Filed 7-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M