[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 38210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18022]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science; Central 
Utah Project Completion Act; Notice of Intent To Negotiate Agreements 
Among the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Sanpete Water 
Conservancy District, Sanpete County, and Department of the Interior 
for Implementation of Projects in Sanpete County, UT

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to negotiate agreements among the Central Utah 
Water Conservancy District (CUWCD), Sanpete Water Conservancy District 
(SWCD), Sanpete County, and the Department of the Interior for 
implementation of Projects in Sanpete County, Utah.

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SUMMARY: Public Law 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 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 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 SWCD was formed to assist 
Sanpete County in developing, managing, and conserving its water 
resources. The SWCD has proposed to develop a county-wide water 
resources master plan to collect and summarize current water resource 
information so that the SWCD can easily assess and prioritize the 
County's water resource needs. SWCD has also proposed to develop a 
secondary water system for the community of Centerfield, Sanpete 
County, Utah. Two agreements will be negotiated. One to provide funding 
for the Master Plan and another for the Centerfield water system.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 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: July 8, 1999.
Ronald Johnston,
CUP Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 99-18022 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
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