[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69031-69032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31469]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Revised Interim 
Guidelines for Implementation of the Water Transfer Provisions of the 
Central Valley Project Improvement Act

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: To meet the requirements of the Central Valley Project 
Improvement Act (CVPIA) of 1992, the Bureau of Reclamation 
(Reclamation) developed and published the Interim Guidelines for 
Implementation of Water Transfers Under Title XXXIV of Public Law 102-
575 (Interim Guidelines) on February 25, 1993. On September 30, 1999, 
certain provisions of section 3405(a) of the CVPIA sunseted. 
Consequently, Reclamation has drafted revised Interim Guidelines to 
reflect these Congressionally mandated changes.
    The Interim Guidelines were prepared pursuant to the provisions of 
section 3405(a) specifying the conditions and requirements for the 
transfer of Central Valley Project (Project) water. Section 3405(a)(3) 
states ``Transfers executed after September 30, 1999, shall only be 
governed by the provisions of subparagraphs 3405(a)(1)(A)-(C), (E), 
(G), (H), (I), (L), and (M) of this title, and by State law.'' The 
interim guidelines have been changed to reflect this CVPIA provision. 
Reclamation has made a commitment to publish a notice of its revised 
Interim Guidelines in the Federal Register and to allow the public 30 
days to comment.
DATES: All public comments must be received by January 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please mail comments to Julie Spezia, Bureau of Reclamation, 
2800 Cottage Way, MP-410, Sacramento CA 95825.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To be placed on a mailing list for any 
subsequent information, please contact Julie Spezia at the address 
above, or by telephone at (916) 978-5295 (TDD 978-5608).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reclamation's objectives in developing 
Interim Guidelines for the implementation of section 3405(a) of Public 
Law 102-575, commonly referred to as the Central Valley Project 
Improvement Act (CVPIA), are to address all water transfers equitably, 
to provide for a more efficient and effective use of the water supply 
developed by the Project, and to provide greater flexibility to water 
users in transferring water developed by the Project. These revised 
Interim Guidelines will establish the conditions for transfer of 
Project water subsequent to September 30, 1999.
    Section 3405(a) authorizes all individuals or districts who receive 
Project water under water service or repayment contracts, water rights 
settlement contracts or exchange contracts to transfer, subject to 
certain conditions, all or a portion of their Project water to any 
California water user or water agency, State or Federal agency, Indian 
Tribe or private nonprofit organization for Project purposes or any 
purpose recognized as beneficial under State law.
    The sections of the Interim Guidelines are listed as follows with a 
brief description of changes made:
    I  Objective: No substantive change.
    II  Authority: No substantive change.
    III  Applicability: No substantive change.
    IV  Implementation: No substantive change.
    V  Criteria for Transfers Authorized Under Section 3405(a): delete 
paragraphs (D), (F), (G) and (N).

    Note: Even though CVPIA no longer prohibits water transfers with 
long-term impacts on ground water, any such impacts would need to be 
identified under the environmental compliance process; also water 
transfers need to comply with State and local ground-water law and 
ordinances, if any.

    VI  Transferor's Responsibility: delete paragraph (C).
    VII  Reclamation Responsibility: no substantive change.

[[Page 69032]]

    VIII  Appendix No. 1 Criteria Checklist for a Complete Written 
Water Transfer Proposal: delete requirements 18 and 19.
    IX  Appendix No. 2 Public Notice Requirements: change MP-440 to MP-
410.
    Public comment on Reclamation's revised Interim Guidelines is 
invited at this time. A copy of the revised Interim Guidelines will be 
available for review at Reclamation's MP Regional Office located in 
Sacramento, California. If you wish to review a copy of the revised 
Interim Guidelines, please contact Ms. Spezia, or access it on the 
Internet at www.mp.usbr.gov.

    Dated: November 29, 1999.
Mary Johannis,
Acting Regional Resources Manager, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 99-31469 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M