[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 34470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16735]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science


Central Utah Project Completion Act

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science, 
Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to negotiate an agreement among the Central 
Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD), Sanpete County Water 
Conservancy District, Sanpete County, and the Department of the 
Interior for implementation of the Sevier River Canals Improvement 
Projects, Sanpete County, Utah.

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SUMMARY: Pub. L. 102-575, Section 206(a)(1) provides: ``After two years 
from the date of enactment of this Act, the District shall, at the 
option of an eligible county as provided in paragraph (2), rebate to 
such county all of the ad valorem tax contributions paid by such county 
to the District, with interest but less the value of any benefits 
received by such county and less the administrative expenses incurred 
by the District to that date.'' Sanpete County desires to pursue local 
water development through the Sevier River Canals Improvement Projects 
(Improvement Projects), and is requesting a rebate of a portion of the 
ad valorem taxes it has paid to CUWCD, plus interest, to provide the 
required 35 percent local funding for such projects and a Federal grant 
of up to 65 percent of the total costs as authorized by Section 
206(b)(1) of CUPCA.
    In a letter dated October 7, 1996, Sanpete County requested federal 
funding, as set forth in Section 206(b)(1), to implement the 
Improvement Projects. Section 206(b)(1) states: ``Upon the request of 
any eligible county that elects not to participate in the project as 
provided in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide as a grant to 
such county an amount that, when matched with the rebate received by 
such county, shall constitute 65 percent of the cost of implementation 
of measures identified in paragraph (2).''
    Sanpete County is located within the Sevier River Basin in Central 
Utah. The main stem of the Sevier River passes through Sanpete County 
west of the towns of Centerfield and Gunnison. Four major canals divert 
water from the Sevier River and serve lands in Sanpete County--Piute, 
Gunnison-Fayette, Dover, and Westview. The Project consists of 
improving diversion dams on Westview, Gunnison-Fayette, and Dover 
Canals, and gates, culverts, and overchutes on Piute Canal. A detailed 
description of the project is contained in the ``Sevier River Canals 
Improvement Project Feasibility Study'' dated January 1998 and the 
associated Categorical Exclusion checklist No. I.B.20.051 dated March 
12, 1998.

DATES: Dates for public negotiation sessions will be announced in local 
newspapers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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, Internet: [email protected].

    Dated: June 18, 1998.
Ronald Johnston,
CUP Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 98-16735 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
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