[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 65105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32258]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCIES: United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the 
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, 
United States and Mexico (USIBWC)

ACTION: Notice of availability of final environmental assessment and 
finding of no significant impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508); and the United States 
Section's Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, 
published in the Federal Register September 2, 1981 (46 FR 44083); the 
United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States 
Section hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental Assessment 
(EA) and Final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 
Mexicali Wastewater Collection and Treatment Project are available. 
Copies of the draft EA and draft FONSI were made available at the main 
Public Libraries in the cities of Calexico, El Centro, Holtville and 
Brawley located in Imperial County, California on September 29, 1997 
for a 30-day review period before making the finding final. The 
information was also made available on the Internet (USIBWC homepage).

ADDRESSES: Carlos Pena Jr., Facilities Planning Border Coordinator; 
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, 
United States and Mexico, 4171 North Mesa Street, C-310, El Paso, Texas 
79902. Telephone: 915/534-6605.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, the United States Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Section of the 
International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) completed an 
environmental review of the impacts of the Mexicali Wastewater 
Collection and Treatment Project proposed by the Comision Estatal de 
Servicios Publicos de Mexicali (CESPM). The FONSI was based on the 
analyses presented in the Environmental Assessment for Mexicali 
Wastewater Collection and Treatment Project. The proposed action 
consists of several projects designed to improve the water quality 
discharge from the Mexicali treatment system and water quality in the 
New River. The NEPA review was required because of the issuance funds 
for the project.
    In accordance with the guidelines for determining the significance 
of proposed federal actions (40 CFR 1508.27) and Border Environment 
Cooperation Commission (BECC) Criteria for initiating an environmental 
assessment, the EPA and USIBWC concluded that the proposed action will 
not result in a significant effect on the environment. The proposal 
will not significantly affect land use patterns or population, wetlands 
or floodplains, threatened or endangered species, farmlands, 
ecologically critical areas, cultural or historic resources, traffic, 
visual, geological resources, public health and safety, socioeconomic 
conditions, energy demand, air quality, water quality, noise levels, 
fish and wildlife resources, nor will it conflict with local or state 
land use plans or policies. The proposal conforms with all applicable 
federal statutes and executive orders.
    The CESPM submitted to the BECC an Environmental Assessment 
(Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental Modalidad General del Projecto 
Saneamiento del Rio Nuevo en la C.D. de Mexicali, Baja California) that 
disclosed the impacts in Mexico from this project. It was determined 
that there were no significant impacts.
    The USEPA and USIBWC determined that the proposed action would not 
significantly impact the environment of the United States and that the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required.

Availability

    Copies of the Final Act and Final FONSI have been distributed to 
Federal, State, and local agencies, organizations and individuals that 
have commented on or have consulted and coordinated in the preparation 
of the EA. A limited number of copies are available to fill single copy 
requests at the above address.

    Dated: December 3, 1997.
John Bernal,
Commissioner, IBWC U.S. Section.
[FR Doc. 97-32258 Filed 12-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-M