[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 16602-16603] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8780] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Central Utah Project Completion Act; Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision on the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project and Daniel Replacement Project Final Environmental Impact Statement Documenting the Department of the Interior's Approval for the Central Utah Water Conservancy District To Proceed With the Construction of the Proposed Action Alternative AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project and Daniel Replacement Project Record of Decision. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On March 21, 1997, Patricia J. Beneke, Assistant Secretary-- Water and Science, Department of the Interior, signed the Record of Decision (ROD) which documents the selection of the Proposed Action Alternative as presented in the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project and Daniel Replacement Project (WCWEP and DRP) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), INT FES 96-58, filed November 22, 1996, and as described in the WCWEP Feasibility Study dated January 1997. The ROD also approves the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) proceeding with construction of WCWEP and DRP, in accordance with statutory and contractual obligations. Construction of WCWEP will provide a replacement water supply out of water conserved in Wasatch County, for the water presently being diverted from the Strawberry River basin. The replacement supply will be delivered by means of the DRP. The FEIS for WCWEP and DRP, considered three alternatives to restore flows in the upper Strawberry River and to provide water and water conveyance facilities from Jordanelle Reservoir to the existing Daniel Irrigation Company (DIC) water storage facilities as mandated in section 303 of the Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA) and a No Action Alternative. The Department of the Interior (Interior), the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation Commission), and the CUWCD served as the Joint Lead Agencies in the preparation of the NEPA compliance documents. In addition to satisfying the requirements and authorizations of CUPCA, the construction of the WCWEP and DRP will satisfy Interior's environmental commitment made in the [[Page 16603]] U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's 1990 Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Diamond Fork System, and now binding upon the Mitigation Commission, to restore flows in the upper Strawberry River that have been historically diverted by the DIC, and to provide the mandated replacement water supply. Of principal significance, the selected alternative will fulfill the mandates of CUPCA and the environmental commitment by: improving the efficiency of delivering CUP agricultural and municipal and industrial water stored in Jordanelle Reservoir; conserving water and improving water management in the Heber Valley; supplementing instream flows in some Heber Valley streams; protecting the water rights of downstream users; and minimizing adverse impacts on groundwater, wetlands and other environmental resources. During preparation of the FEIS, CUWCD consulted formally on listed species with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under Sec. 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C.A. sections 1531 to 1544, as amended). In a letter dated January 14, 1997, the FWS indicated that the Proposed Action Alternative selected by this ROD is not likely to adversely affect listed or proposed species or designated or proposed critical habitats. CUWCD and Interior will continue to consult with FWS prior to and during construction to avoid action that may affect proposed or listed species, or their proposed or designated critical habitat. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional information on matters related to this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and telephone number set forth below: Mr. Reed Murray, Program Coordinator, CUP Completion Act Office, Department of the Interior, 302 East 1860 South Provo, UT 84606-6154, Telephone: (801) 379-1237. Dated: April 1, 1997. Ronald Johnston, Program Director, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. 97-8780 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P