[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 154 (Tuesday, August 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 42873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21435]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Central Arizona Project, Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct Reach 11 
Recreation Master Plan, Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) plans to 
prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed 
implementation of the Reach 11 Recreation Master Plan. The Master Plan 
will be prepared concurrently with the EIS. The purpose of the 
recreation master planning process is to identify and plan for the 
community's recreation needs within the flood detention basin of the 
Central Arizona Project's (CAP) Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct Reach 11 area. 
The EIS will address environmental consequences of implementing 
recreational development alternatives proposed and considered during 
the master planning process.
    A public scoping meeting will be held to receive comments from 
affected and/or interested agencies and the general public on the 
environmental impacts, concerns, and issues that should be addressed 
during the master planning process and in the EIS.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on September 10, 1998, from 6:30 
to 8:30 p.m. To ensure consideration in the preparation of the draft 
EIS, written comments must be received by November 6, 1998. The draft 
EIS is expected to be available for review and comment by August 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Paradise Valley 
Community Center, 17402 North 40th Street (at Bell Road), Phoenix, 
Arizona. Written comments should be sent to Ms. Sandra Eto, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix 
Area Office (mail code PXAO-1500), P.O. Box 81169, Phoenix, Arizona 
85069-1169.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Eto at (602) 216-3857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968 authorized the 
Secretary of the Interior, acting through Reclamation, to construct the 
CAP. As part of the CAP canal, a flood-retention dike and the Paradise 
Valley Flood Detention Basin were constructed to provide flood water 
protection for the CAP canal and adjacent communities. Flood 
protection, therefore, is the primary purpose of the Basin. In December 
1986, Reclamation and the city of Phoenix entered into a land-use 
agreement under which approximately 1,500 acres within the Paradise 
Valley Flood Detention Basin are managed by the City of Phoenix's 
Parks, Recreation, and Library Department (PRLD) for recreational 
purposes. This area is located between Cave Creek and Scottsdale roads 
north of the CAP canal, and is commonly known as the Reach 11 
Recreation Area.
    PRLD's responsibilities include the planning, design, operation, 
and maintenance of the Reach's recreational developments, although 
Reclamation retains ownership of the land. A conceptual recreation 
plan, developed in 1974 as part of the plans for the CAP Reach 11 area, 
was accepted by Reclamation in 1975. The PRLD updated the 1975 
conceptual plan in 1985; this revised conceptual plan was adopted by 
the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board in January 1987. Revisions were 
made to the adopted 1987 master plan in 1995. An equestrian facility 
and nature trail have been developed within the Reach; no other 
developments identified in either plan adopted by the Phoenix Parks and 
Recreation Board have been approved for implementation by Reclamation.
    Rapid residential development has occurred south of the Reach, and 
most of the land to the north is owned by the State of Arizona and 
private landowners. Given the planned construction of a major freeway 
and population growth projections for this area, it is anticipated the 
Reach will become increasingly important in providing open space and 
recreational opportunities. In 1995, the city of Phoenix and 
Reclamation recognized that a comprehensive planning effort (i.e., an 
updated recreational master plan developed with input from the 
community) would better facilitate future recreational development and 
use of the entire Reach 11 Recreation Area.

Public Meetings and Written Comments

    The scoping process for the EIS and the master plan will consist of 
a community open house/public meeting (see Dates and Addresses 
sections), and community leader and interest group interviews. Thus 
far, anticipated environmental issues include differing impacts of 
passive versus active (i.e., developed) recreation; water quality; and 
the potential for developed wetlands. Three additional open houses will 
be held at key milestones throughout the master planning and 
environmental impact analysis process.
    Comments regarding the proposed action are welcome at the open 
house/public meeting. All public input received by Reclamation as a 
result of previous public involvement related to the Reach will 
automatically be considered in the preparation of the draft EIS.
    If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive 
future information, please contact Ms. Sandra Eto.

    Note: Hearing impaired, visually impaired, and/or mobility 
impaired persons planning to attend this meeting may arrange for 
necessary accommodations by calling Ms. Kristin Darr, Dames & Moore 
at 602-861-7476, or faxogram 602-861-7431, no later than August 31, 
1998.

    Dated: August 5, 1998.
Robert W. Johnson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-21435 Filed 8-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P