[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46468-46469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23408]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Resource Management Plan for the Potholes Reservoir, Grant 
County, Washington

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed Potholes Reservoir 
Resource Management Plan (RMP). This EIS will be prepared pursuant to 
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended.
    Reclamation is currently assessing the existing resources, issues, 
and concerns at Potholes Reservoir in order to develop a plan to guide 
future management of Reclamation lands surrounding the reservoir. The 
waters and adjacent lands of Potholes Reservoir are currently being 
managed under a memorandum of agreement that will expire in 2002. The 
RMP will provide Reclamation and their land management partners, the 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks and 
Recreation Commission, and Grant County, a framework for future 
management actions at Potholes Reservoir. The RMP will not address 
water operations at Potholes Reservoir.

DATES: Comments concerning issues or concerns that should be addressed 
in the proposed RMP and EIS should be received in writing by October 1, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning the proposal to Mr. James 
Blanchard, Activity Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Epharata Field 
Office, P.O. Box 815, Ephrata, Washington 98823.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James Blanchard, at (509) 754-0226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Potholes Reservoir is located in 
southern Grant County, Washington, approximately 4 miles south and 
southwest of Moses Lake, Washington. The Potholes Reservoir provides 
irrigation water to portions of the Columbia Basin Project.
    Reclamation initiated preparation of an environmental assessment 
(EA) on the Potholes RMP in 1996. Based on a preliminary analysis of 
alternatives that indicates a potential for significant impacts, 
Reclamation has decided to prepare an EIS. A comprehensive public 
involvement program has been conducted during the RMP planning process 
and has provided opportunities for public input. Scoping of issues was 
accomplished through public meeting and discussions and meetings with 
Federal state, and local agencies and tribes. These meetings helped in 
identification of issues and concerns, formulation of goals and 
objectives, and development of alternatives for analysis. While no 
additional scoping meetings are planned in connection with the 
preparation of the draft EIS, this notice solicits additional comments 
on issues and concerns that should be addressed in the development of 
an RMP for Potholes Reservoir. To submit comments see the DATES and 
ADDRESSES sections. Comments may also be sent by E-Mail to 
[email protected].
    The draft EIS is expected to be complete and available for review 
and comment in early 1999. Public hearings will then be held to receive 
comments on the adequacy of the EIS an analyzing the effects of the 
alternative actions.
    The following issues, concerns, and problems have been identified 
to date:
    Fisheries: Concern with the decline of fisheries over the last 10 
to 15 years.
    Wildlife: The need to prevent damage to wildlife and habitat, 
especially for

[[Page 46469]]

priority wildlife such as threatened or endangered species.
    Vegetation: The need to protect wildlife habitat and the natural 
landscape and the concern for weed control.
    Water Quality: Concern with the effect of water quality on 
fisheries and the safety of eating fish from the reservoir.
    Recreation: Primary concerns related to over capacity use on 
holidays, lack of desired facilities and features, seasonal use 
restrictions, access, off-road vehicle use, and conflicts between 
recreational uses and natural resources.
    Management and Infrastructure: Public and management agencies are 
concerned with the lack of resources to provide services and 
enforcement.
    Four alternatives are currently being considered. These include an 
alternative which balances use with resource protection and 
enhancement, an alternative that stresses enhancement of natural 
resources (Alternative A), an alternative that stresses enhancement of 
recreation potential (Alternative B), and the No Action Alternative as 
required by NEPA. Comments received as a result of this notice may 
result in changes to current alternatives or development of additional 
alternatives to be evaluated in the draft EIS.

    Dated: August 13, 1998.
Kenneth R. Pedde,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region.
[FR Doc. 98-23408 Filed 8-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M