[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56044-56047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28030]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Quarterly Status Report of Water Service and Repayment Contract 
Negotiations

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of proposed contractual actions that 
are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last 
publication of this notice on July 27, 1998. The January 27, 1998, (63 
FR 3913), notice should be used as a reference point to identify 
changes. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the 
public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and 
management of project resources and facilities. Additional Bureau of 
Reclamation (Reclamation) announcements of individual contract actions 
may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general 
circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by 
the proposed action. Announcements may be in the form of news releases, 
legal notices, official letters, memorandums, or other forms of written 
material. Meetings, workshops, and/or hearings may also be used, as

[[Page 56045]]

appropriate, to provide local publicity. The public participation 
procedures do not apply to proposed contracts for sale of surplus or 
interim irrigation water for a term of 1 year or less. Either of the 
contracting parties may invite the public to observe contract 
proceedings. All public participation procedures will be coordinated 
with those involved in complying with the National Environmental Policy 
Act.

ADDRESSES: The identity of the approving officer and other information 
pertaining to a specific contract proposal may be obtained by calling 
or writing the appropriate regional office at the address and telephone 
number given for each region in the supplementary information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alonzo Knapp, Manager, Reclamation 
Law, Contracts, and Repayment Office, Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 
25007, Denver, Colorado 80225-0007; telephone 303-445-2889.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 226 of the Reclamation 
Reform Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 1273) and 43 CFR 426.20 of the rules and 
regulations published in 52 FR 11954, Apr. 13, 1987, Reclamation will 
publish notice of the proposed or amendatory contract actions for any 
contract for the delivery of project water for authorized uses in 
newspapers of general circulation in the affected area at least 60 days 
prior to contract execution. Pursuant to the ``Final Revised Public 
Participation Procedures'' for water resource-related contract 
negotiations, published in 47 FR 7763, Feb. 22, 1982, a tabulation is 
provided of all proposed contractual actions in each of the five 
Reclamation regions. Each proposed action is, or is expected to be, in 
some stage of the contract negotiation process in 1998. When contract 
negotiations are completed, and prior to execution, each proposed 
contract form must be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, or 
pursuant to delegated or redelegated authority, the Commissioner of 
Reclamation or one of the regional directors. In some instances, 
congressional review and approval of a report, water rate, or other 
terms and conditions of the contract may be involved.
    Public participation in and receipt of comments on contract 
proposals will be facilitated by adherence to the following procedures:
    1. Only persons authorized to act on behalf of the contracting 
entities may negotiate the terms and conditions of a specific contract 
proposal.
    2. Advance notice of meetings or hearings will be furnished to 
those parties that have made a timely written request for such notice 
to the appropriate regional or project office of Reclamation.
    3. Written correspondence regarding proposed contracts may be made 
available to the general public pursuant to the terms and procedures of 
the Freedom of Information Act (80 Stat. 383), as amended.
    4. Written comments on a proposed contract or contract action must 
be submitted to the appropriate regional officials at the locations and 
within the time limits set forth in the advance public notices.
    5. All written comments received and testimony presented at any 
public hearings will be reviewed and summarized by the appropriate 
regional office for use by the contract approving authority.
    6. Copies of specific proposed contracts may be obtained from the 
appropriate regional director or his designated public contact as they 
become available for review and comment.
    7. In the event modifications are made in the form of a proposed 
contract, the appropriate regional director shall determine whether 
republication of the notice and/or extension of the comment period is 
necessary.
    Factors considered in making such a determination shall include, 
but are not limited to: (i) The significance of the modification, and 
(ii) the degree of public interest which has been expressed over the 
course of the negotiations. As a minimum, the regional director shall 
furnish revised contracts to all parties who requested the contract in 
response to the initial public notice.

Acronym Definitions Used Herein

(BCP)  Boulder Canyon Project
(CAP)  Central Arizona Project
(CUP)  Central Utah Project
(CVP)  Central Valley Project
(CRSP)  Colorado River Storage Project
(D&MC)  Drainage and Minor Construction
(FR)  Federal Register
(IDD)  Irrigation and Drainage District
(ID)  Irrigation District
(M&I)  Municipal and Industrial
(O&M)  Operation and Maintenance
(P-SMBP)  Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program
(R&B)  Rehabilitation and Betterment
(PPR)  Present Perfected Right
(RRA)  Reclamation Reform Act
(NEPA)  National Environmental Policy Act
(SOD)  Safety of Dams
(SRPA)  Small Reclamation Projects Act
(WCUA)  Water Conservation and Utilization Act
(WD)  Water District

    Pacific Northwest Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis 
Road, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234, telephone 208-378-5346. Completed 
contract actions:
    10. Lewiston Orchards ID, Lewiston Orchards Project, Idaho: 
Repayment contract for reimbursable cost of dam safety repairs to 
Reservoir ``A.'' Contract was executed September 29, 1998.
    Discontinued contract actions:
    6. Douglas County, Milltown Hill Project, Oregon: SRPA loan 
repayment contract; proposed combination loan and grant obligation of 
approximately $31 million. Douglas County Commissioners have tabled the 
project due to environmental considerations.
    Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-979-2401.
    New contract actions:
    31. Solano County Water Agency and Solano ID, Solano Project, 
California: Contract to transfer responsibility for O&M of Monticello 
Dam, Putah Diversion Dam, Putah South Canal, Headworks of Putah South 
Canal, and Parshall Flume at Milepost 0.18 of Putah South Canal to 
Solano ID and provide that the Solano County Water Agency shall provide 
the funds necessary for O&M of the facilities.
    32. Tuolumme Utility District (formerly Tuolumne Regional WD), CVP, 
California: Water service contract for up to 9,000 acre-feet from New 
Melones Reservoir.
    33. Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, State of Nevada, State of 
California, Town of Fernley, Nevada, Truckee-Carson ID, and any other 
local interest or Native-American Tribal interest, who may have 
negotiated rights under Public Law 101-618; Nevada and California: 
Contract for the storage of non-Federal water in Truckee River 
reservoirs as authorized by Public Law 101-618 and consistent with the 
terms and conditions of the proposed Truckee River Operating Agreement.
    Modified contract actions:
    8. Sutter Extension WD, Biggs-West Gridley WD, Buena Vista Water 
Storage District, and the State of California Department of Water 
Resources, CVP, California: Pursuant to Public Law 102-575, conveyance 
agreements for the purpose of wheeling refuge water supplies and 
funding District facility improvements and exchange agreements to 
provide water for refuge and private wetlands.
    23. Sierra Pacific Power Company and Washoe County Water 
Conservation

[[Page 56046]]

District, Washoe and Truckee Storage Projects, Nevada and California: 
Contract for the storage of non-Federal water in Truckee River 
reservoirs as authorized by Pub. L. 101-618 and consistent with the 
terms and conditions of the proposed Truckee River Operating Agreement.
    Completed contract actions:
    8. Sutter Extension WD, Biggs-West Gridley WD, Buena Vista Water 
Storage District, and the State of California Department of Water 
Resources, CVP, California: Pursuant to Pub. L. 102-575, conveyance 
agreements for the purpose of wheeling refuge water supplies and 
funding District facility improvements and exchange agreements to 
provide water for refuge and private wetlands. Two agreements with 
Glenn-Colusa ID executed on September 30, 1998 (no. 1425-98-FC-20-17630 
for construction improvements to Glenn-Colusa ID's facilities and no. 
1425-98-FC-20-17620 for a 50-year wheeling agreement).
    Lower Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 61470 (Nevada 
Highway and Park Street), Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470, telephone 
702-293-8536.
    New contract actions:
    57. McMicken ID, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 486 acre-feet of M&I 
water to the City of Peoria.
    58. ASARCO INC., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline for 
giving Notice of Termination on exchange subcontract.
    59. BHP Copper, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline 
for giving Notice of Termination on exchange subcontract.
    60. Cyprus Miami Mining Corporation, CAP, Arizona: Amendment to 
extend deadline for giving Notice of Termination on exchange 
subcontract.
    61. San Carlos-Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Agreement among the 
United States, San Carlos-Apache Tribe, Salt River Project Agricultural 
Improvement and Power District, and Salt River Valley Water Users' 
Association for exchange of up to 14,000 acre-feet of Black River Water 
for CAP water.
    62. San Carlos-Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Agreement among the 
United States, San Carlos-Apache Tribe, and Phelps Dodge Corporation 
for the lease of Black River water.
    63. San Carlos Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Amendatory contract to 
increase the Tribe's CAP water entitlement pursuant to the San Carlos 
Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act.
    64. United States, BCP, California/Arizona: Contracts to store 
water from the Colorado River and other sources for future Federal 
purposes.
    Modified contract actions:
    4. Brooke Water Co., Havasu Water Co., City of Quartzsite, and 
Arizona State Land Department, BCP, Arizona: Contracts for additional 
M&I allocations of Colorado River water to entities located along the 
Colorado River in Arizona for up to 2,657 acre-feet per year as 
recommended by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
    Completed contract actions:
    4. McAllister Subdivision, BCP, Arizona: Contract for additional 
M&I allocation of Colorado River water for 40 acre-feet per year.
    11. Windsor Beach State Park, Lake Havasu City, BCP, Arizona: 
Contract for 90 acre-feet entitlement to Colorado River domestic water.
    20. Gila River Indian Community, CAP, Arizona: Master repayment/O&M 
contract for the CAP-funded distribution system to serve up to 
approximately 77,000 acres of land.
    45. Arizona State Lands, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 3,900 acre-
feet of CAP water to the City of Scottsdale.
    46. Town of Youngstown, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 380 acre-feet 
of CAP water to Sun City Water Co.
    47. Sun City Water Co., CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 9,654 acre-feet 
to Citizens Utilities, Aqua Fria Division.
    49. City of Scottsdale, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 3,232 acre-feet 
of CAP water annually from Cottonwood Water Works, Inc., and Camp Verde 
Water System, Inc.
    52. City of Tucson, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 9,500 acre-feet of 
M&I water to First Trust of Arizona.
    53. First Trust of Arizona, CAP, Arizona: Partial assignment of 
8,852 acre-feet of M&I water to Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement 
District.
    54. First Trust of Arizona, CAP, Arizona: Partial assignment of 642 
acre-feet of M&I water to Oro Valley.
    55. Camp Verde Water System, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 1,443 
acre-feet of M&I water to the City of Scottsdale.
    56. Cottonwood Water Works, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 1,789 
acre-feet of M&I water to the City of Scottsdale.
    Upper Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 125 South State 
Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1102, telephone 801-524-
4419.
    New contract actions:
    1(i) Harrison F. Russell and Patricia E. Russell, Aspinall Unit, 
CRSP, Colorado: Contract for 1 acre-foot to support an augmentation 
plan, Case No. 97CW39, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado, 
to provide for single-family residential well, including home, lawn, 
and noncommercial livestock watering.
    1(j) Frank M. Colman, Karen Edstrom, William and Lorena Gunn, Emily 
Vernon, and Williams E. Williams, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, Colorado: 
Contract for 3 acre-feet to support augmentation plans, Water Division 
Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to provide for single-family 
residential use, irrigation, fire protection, and livestock watering.
    Completed contract actions:
    1(c) East Alum Creek Ranch Corporation, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, 
Colorado: Contract for 23 acre-feet to support an augmentation plan, 
Case No. 97CW198, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to 
provide East Alum Creek Ranch Subdivision with domestic, lawn 
irrigation, pond evaporation, and livestock water.
    1(d) Horizon Ranch Corporation, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, Colorado: 
Contract for 4 acre-feet to support an augmentation plan, Case No. 
97CW201, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to provide 
Horizon Ranch with domestic, lawn irrigation, pond evaporation, and 
livestock water.
    1(g) TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, 
Colorado: One-year contract for 15 acre-feet of water to be used for 
hydrostatic testing of a natural gas pipeline and dust abatement in 
construction area.
    25. Robbins Ranches, Mancos Project, Colorado: Long-term contract 
for the carriage of 2.5 cfs of water for irrigation purposes under the 
authority of the Warren Act of 1911.
    Great Plains Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 36900, Federal 
Building, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59107-6900, 
telephone 406-247-7730.
    New contract actions:
    34. Canadian River Project, Texas: Contract to allow correction of 
groundwater source to project pipeline. Pending NEPA completion and 
Regional Director signature.
    35. Savage ID, P-SMBP: Contract with district has expired. 
Preparing an interim contract to continue district operations until a 
long-term contract can be negotiated.
    Modified contract actions:
    14. Northwest Area Water Supply, North Dakota: Long-term contract 
for water supply from Garrison Diversion Unit facilities. Negotiations 
are pending.
    15. Fort Shaw and Greenfields IDs, Sun River Project, Montana: 
Contract for SOD costs for repairs to Willow Creek Dam. Greenfields ID 
has signed a 1-year repayment contract for its share of the SOD costs. 
The basis of negotiation is in the process of being revised to extend 
the repayment term.
    Completed contract actions:
    30. Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado: Repayment contract with 
Southeastern Colorado Water

[[Page 56047]]

Conservancy District for repayment of cost of SOD modifications to 
Pueblo Dam.

    Dated: October 13, 1998.
Wayne O. Deason,
Deputy Director, Program Analysis Office.
[FR Doc. 98-28030 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P