[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27000-27002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12316]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Fish and Wildlife Service
Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) for the Lower Colorado
River, Arizona, Nevada, and California
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and notice of public scoping
meetings.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation), Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, intend to prepare
an EIS/EIR to evaluate the impacts associated with implementing the
MSCP for the Lower Colorado River in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and
California.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: Written comments on conservation alternatives and
issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR are requested by July 27, 1999,
and should be sent to Mr. Tom Shrader, Attention: LC-2500, Bureau of
Reclamation, PO Box 61470, Boulder City, NV 89006-1470, or FAX'd to Mr.
Shrader at (702) 293-8146. Oral and written comments will be accepted
at the open house format public scoping meetings to be held at the
following locations:
June 15, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Bureau of Land Management Havasu Field
Office, 2610 Sweetwater Drive, Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
June 16, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Avi Hotel and Casino, 10000 Aha Macav
Parkway, Laughlin, Nevada.
June 17, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Henderson Convention Center, 200 South Water
Street, Henderson, Nevada.
June 22, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Yuma Desalting Plant, Bureau of Reclamation,
7301 Calle Agua Salada, Yuma, Arizona.
June 23, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Arizona Department of Water Resources,
conference rooms A and B, third floor, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix,
Arizona.
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June 30, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall Post 2987, 148
North 1st Street, Blythe, California.
July 1, 1999, 5:00 p.m., Ontario Airport Marriott, 2200 East Holt
Boulevard, Ontario, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tom Shrader, Manager,
Environmental Compliance, Bureau of Reclamation at (702) 293-8703 or
Mr. Gilbert D. Metz, Supervisory Coordinator for Federal Projects, Fish
and Wildlife Service at (602) 640-2720, ext. 217. Questions regarding
the CEQA process should be directed to Dr. Debbie Drezner, Metropolitan
Water District at (213) 217-6218. Information on the purpose,
membership, meeting schedules and documents associated with the MSCP
may be obtained on the Internet at www.lcrmscp.org., with a
supplemental link to Reclamation's web page at www.lc.usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is a multi-species
conservation program that will move Federal and California Endangered
Species Act (ESA and CESA) listed species, and potentially listed
species, toward recovery while accommodating current water and power
operations and optimizing opportunities for future water and power
development. Reclamation and the Service are joint Federal leads for
the EIS. The EIS will be the basis for (1) Reclamation's Record of
Decision on implementing its portion of the MSCP and (2) the Service's
Record of Decision on issuing an ESA section 10 permit. The EIS/EIR
document will also include a biological assessment of Reclamation's
ongoing and future discretionary actions, which the Service will
utilize in preparing a biological opinion per section 7 of the ESA. The
Metropolitan Water District is the designated CEQA lead agency for the
EIR.
The Lower Colorado River MSCP is a partnership of state, Federal,
tribal, and other public and private stakeholders with interest in
managing the water and related resources of the Lower Colorado River
basin. In August of 1995, the Department of the Interior and the states
of Arizona, Nevada, and California entered into a Memorandum of
Agreement and later a Memorandum of Clarification (MOA/MOC) for
Development of a Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation
Program. The purpose of the MOA/MOC was to initiate development of an
MSCP that will: (1) conserve habitat and work toward the recovery of
threatened and endangered species as well as reduce the likelihood of
additional species listings under the ESA and the CESA, and (2)
accommodate current water diversions and power production and optimize
opportunities for future water and power development, to the extent
consistent with the law.
The participants agreed to develop, implement, and fund the MSCP.
It was also agreed to pursue an ecosystem-based approach to developing
the MSCP for interim and long-term compliance with applicable
endangered species and environmental laws and to implement conservation
and protection measures for included species and habitats.
It is proposed that the MSCP will serve as a coordinated,
comprehensive conservation approach for the lower Colorado River basin
within the 100-year floodplain from below Glen Canyon Dam to the
Southerly International Boundary with Mexico for a period of 50 years.
Potential conservation measures or alternatives currently under
consideration for various fish species (e.g., endangered razorback
sucker) and their habitats may include evaluating the use of backwaters
between native and nonnative species; managing to minimize conflicts
between native and nonnative aquatic species by constructing isolated
native fish refugia; restoring floodplain connections and ephemeral
backwaters in an effort to restore floodplain functions; augmenting
native fish populations through stocking and additional rearing
capacity; implementing a genetic management plan for native fish
populations; enhancing fish passage; managing to minimize take; and
managing discretionary flows to enhance and restore habitat. Potential
conservation measures or alternatives currently under consideration to
benefit various bird species (e.g., endangered southwestern willow
flycatcher) and their habitats may include protecting and restoring
habitat; protecting existing habitat through activities such as
managing access; maintaining hydrologic conditions; fire protection
using prescribed fires/fire planning and postfire rehabilitation;
converting agricultural land to habitat (acquire land and water rights
from willing sellers); managing large mammal problems (e.g., burro
grazing and trampling); controlling threats from other species such as
cowbird trapping; vegetation management including the need to improve
habitat; and manipulating discretionary flows to enhance and restore
habitat. Additional conservation measures or alternatives may be
identified during the scoping process. The needs of these and other
species identified in the MSCP will be integrated to maximize
biodiversity of the Lower Colorado River. Research and monitoring in
combination with adaptive management will be used to facilitate
accomplishment of these goals.
Under the No Action/No Project alternative, it is assumed that some
or all of the current and future projects proposed for coverage under
the MSCP would be implemented, as long as they are in compliance with
the ESA. The No Action/No Project alternative would imply that the
impacts from these potential projects on sensitive species and habitats
would be evaluated and mitigated on a project-by-project basis, as is
presently the case. Individual ESA Section 10 permits would be required
for activities involving take of listed species due to nonfederal
projects/actions. Without a coordinated, comprehensive ecosystem-based
conservation approach for the region, listed species may not be
adequately addressed by individual project-specific mitigation
requirements, unlisted ``at risk'' species would not receive proactive
action intended to prevent their listing, and project-specific
mitigation would be less cost effective in helping Federal and
nonfederal agencies work toward recovery of listed species. Current
independent conservation actions would continue, although some of these
are not yet funded.
A public involvement program has been initiated and will be
maintained throughout this EIS/EIR process. The goal is to keep the
public and affected parties informed and actively involved as the
project evolves. Given the number of entities participating (Federal,
State, and local governments, tribes, and private interest groups),
successfully providing information and soliciting feedback are critical
to the project's effectiveness.
Probable Environmental Effects--Following is a preliminary list of
probable environmental issues and effects associated with the project.
Other issues may be identified during the internal MSCP and public
scoping process. Until a firm proposal and alternatives with specific
actions and locations are developed, it is difficult to predict
specific impacts.
Biological Resources--Among the endangered species known to use the
project area are the southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma clapper rail,
razorback sucker, bonytail, peregrine falcon, and bald eagle (being
considered for delisting). Of prime concern will be the conservation of
these and other species, such as the yellow billed cuckoo (under review
for listing under the ESA), and associated habitat within the 100-year
floodplain. Overall impacts on
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biological resources are expected to be positive.
Hydrology and Water Quality--Certain conservation measures and flow
regimes may alter onsite water resources, including waters of the
United States [as defined in 40 CFR 230.3(s)], which are under the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) jurisdiction. Under Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act, the Corps is responsible for issuing a permit if a
project may result in the placement of material into water of the
United States. Until specific alternatives are developed, the effects
on hydrology and water quality are unknown.
Floodplains and Wetlands--Implementation of the MSCP will have
overall beneficial impacts on floodplains and wetlands, especially in
maintaining or creating backwaters (wetlands) and reestablishing native
riparian habitat which is essential to the recovery of species.
Municipal and Industrial Uses--Municipal and industrial water uses
may be affected by various conservation measures that require
additional water. However, it is the intent of the MSCP to accommodate
these uses and optimize future opportunities while protecting
threatened and endangered species and their habitat within the project
area.
Cultural Resources--The program could disturb or affect
archaeological resources, traditional cultural properties, Indian
sacred sites, and Indian Trust Assets. However, it is the intent of the
MSCP to avoid such effects.
Socioeconomics--The program may have overall beneficial
socioeconomics effects on the Lower Colorado River. However, the extent
of such effects will not be known until specific conservation
alternatives are identified.
Recreation--In addressing species needs, there may be adverse
impacts to localized recreational uses such as motorized boating, off-
highway vehicle use, and angling.
Water and Hydroelectric Power Uses--Water and hydroelectric power
uses may be affected by various conservation measures that involve
discretionary release patterns. However, it is the intent of the MSCP
to accommodate these uses while protecting threatened and endangered
species and their habitat within the project area.
Agricultural and Other Land Uses--Current agricultural resources or
operations and land uses may be impacted. Land use and cropping
patterns would change with the voluntary conversion of agricultural
lands to native riparian habitat or the transfer of water rights for
habitat maintenance and restoration.
International Impacts--Potential trans-boundary impacts to Mexico
will be identified and analyzed. The project will not affect the
delivery of water pursuant to the Mexico Water Treaty.
Environmental Justice--It is anticipated that the MSCP will not
result in disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects on minorities and/or low income populations.
Related Project Documentation--It is anticipated that the EIS/EIR
process will make full use (including incorporation by reference, as
appropriate, pursuant to NEPA and CEQA) of the following project
documents, copies of which are available for inspection at the
Metropolitan Water District, Reclamation, and Service offices:
Bureau of Reclamation, Description and Assessment of Operations,
Maintenance, and Sensitive Species of the Lower Colorado River--Final
Biological Assessment, August 1996.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological and Conference Opinion on
Lower Colorado River Operations and Maintenance--Lake Mead to Southerly
International Boundary, April 1997.
Starting in June 1999, these documents may also be accessed through
Reclamation's web site at www.lc.usbr.gov.
The draft EIS/EIR is expected to be completed by June 2000.
Dated: May 5, 1999.
LeGrand Neilson,
Assistant Regional Director, Lower Colorado Region, Bureau of
Reclamation.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12316 Filed 5-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P