[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 154 (Thursday, August 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41426-41427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20177]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 
on the Stanislaus River Basin and Calaveras River Water Use Program 
(Also Known as the American River/Folsom South Conjunctive Use 
Optimization Study)

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of cancellation.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California 
Department of Water Resources (DWR) are canceling plans to continue 
work under the National Environmental Policy Act and the California 
Environmental Quality Act on the Environmental Impact Report/
Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Stanislaus River Basin 
and Calaveras River Water Use Program. DWR terminated participation in 
this joint EIR/EIS since the Program would not likely result in any 
increased yield to the State Water Project. The notice of intent was 
published in 55 FR 15291, Apr. 23, 1990.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Lewis, Mid-Pacific Region, 
Bureau of Reclamation, Attention: MP-700, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, 
CA 95825-1898; telephone: (916) 979-2336.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Program was a joint study by Reclamation 
and DWR to formulate a plan for increasing and optimizing water supply, 
and for the long-term use of water supply for the area between the 
Stanislaus and Calaveras Rivers. In terminating their participation, 
DWR indicated the Program would not likely result in any increased 
yield to the State Water Project. Interim water supplies once available 
for use outside the study area appear to now be needed to meet water 
quality, fish, and wildlife requirements as required by both the 
Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the December 1994 Bay-Delta 
Accord. Owing to the ongoing Reclamation activity entitled New Melones 
Water Management Study, Short-term, it is advantageous for Reclamation 
to write a transition report documenting study activities. The New 
Melones Water Management Study, Short-Term, is developing an interim 
plan of operation and suitable method of allocation to manage available 
water supplies in the Stanislaus River Basin until either the 
California State Water Resources Control Board completes the water 
rights phase of the Bay-Delta hearings or until a long-term operation 
plan for New Melones Reservoir is negotiated among the stakeholders. 
The New Melones Water Management

[[Page 41427]]

Study, Long-Term, is the second phase and is intended to develop a 
long-term operation strategy for New Melones Reservoir. This study will 
negotiate a consensus among stakeholders concerning New Melones 
Reservoir long-term operation. If it is determined that upon completion 
of both the New Melones Water Management Study, Short-Term and Long-
Term, there are still unmet demands, a new planning study will be 
developed to address these needs.
Roger Patterson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-20177 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P