[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17679-17680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8207]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

United States Section


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
and Notice of Public Meetings for the El Paso-Las Cruces Regional 
Sustainable Water Project, Sierra and Dona Ana Counties, NM and El Paso 
County, TX

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission, United States and Mexico.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
and Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the United States Section, 
International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) in conjunction 
with the El Paso Water Utilities/Public Service Board has prepared a 
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the El Paso-Las Cruces 
Regional Sustainable Water Project in Sierra and Dona Ana counties, New 
Mexico and El Paso County, Texas as proposed by the New Mexico-Texas 
Water Commission. The DEIS analyzes the no action alternative and the 
impacts of five action alternatives from construction and operation of 
the project. Public meetings will also be held to discuss and receive 
comments on the DEIS from interested organizations and individuals.

DATES: Written comments are requested by June 13, 2000. Public meetings 
will be held on May 2, 3, and 4, 2000 in Anthony and Las Cruces, New 
Mexico and in El Paso, Texas, respectively. See addresses below for 
location and time.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Mr. Douglas Echlin, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Management Division, 
USIBWC, 4171 North Mesa Street, C-310, El Paso, Texas 79902.
    Three public scoping meetings will be conducted from 4:00 to 7:00 
p.m. MDT each day on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at the Gadsden Middle School 
Cafeteria, 1325 West Washington, Anthony, New Mexico; on Wednesday, May 
3, 2000 at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs 
Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico; and on Thursday, May 4, 2000 at Chamizal 
National Memorial, 800 South San Marcial, El Paso, Texas.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection and review at the 
following locations: Branigan Memorial Library, 200 East Picacho 
Avenue, Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso Public Library, 501 North 
Oregon Street, El Paso, Texas; New Mexico State University Library, Las 
Cruces, New Mexico; University Library, The University of Texas at El 
Paso, El Paso, Texas; El Paso Water Utilities, 1154 Hawkins Boulevard, 
El Paso, Texas; and United States Section, International Boundary and 
Water Commission, 4171 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Douglas Echlin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Environmental Management Division, USIBWC, 4171 
North Mesa Street, C-310, El Paso, Texas 79902 or call 915/832-4741. E-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Mexico-Texas Water Commission, 
established in 1991 to help meet the water resource challenges of the 
region, proposed the El Paso-Las Cruces Regional Sustainable Water 
Project to secure future drinking water supplies from surface sources 
for the El Paso-Las Cruces region. The project includes the 
acquisition, conveyance, treatment, and distribution of a drinking 
water supply, and upgrading or constructing facilities for water 
conveyance, treatment, distribution, and aquifer storage and

[[Page 17680]]

recovery. These activities comprise the following three project 
purposes:
     Provide a year-round drinking water supply from the Rio 
Grande Project that is of sufficient quantity and quality to meet the 
anticipated municipal needs of Hatch; Las Cruces; northern and southern 
Dona Ana County; and El Paso.
     Protect and maintain the sustainability of the Mesilla 
Bolson (ground water basin or aquifer).
     Extend the longevity of the Hueco Bolson.
     Project alternatives presented in this DEIS were designed 
to achieve these three project purposes. In addition, the project will 
strive to meet the following criteria:
     The project should attempt to provide high quality water 
needed to achieve successful treatment and to meet federal drinking 
water standards.
     The project should seek to deliver water efficiently, and 
to promote water conservation.
     The project should provide overall benefits to the 
riverine ecosystem, particularly aquatic and riparian habitats.
    The project recognizes and accepts existing institutional and 
social constraints. The project would continue to meet treaty, compact, 
and contract requirements for delivery of Rio Grande Project waters. 
The project would not adversely affect the quantity and quality of 
water deliveries to agricultural users; impose new responsibilities on 
state or federal governments; or preclude other opportunities to 
enhance the Rio Grande ecosystem.
    The need for this project is based on the region's future drinking 
water supply requirements. The project is necessary to avoid both 
potentially permanent impacts on the Mesilla and Hueco Bolsons and 
critical drinking water shortages in the El Paso-Las Cruces region. 
Population growth rates have increased sharply, increasing the demand 
for drinking water. It is projected that the Texas portion of the Hueco 
Bolson will be exhausted of all fresh water by the year 2025 because 
water is being pumped from the aquifer faster than it can be naturally 
replenished. If additional surface waters are not made available to 
supplement the drinking water supply, water shortages in the region 
will likely lead to severe health and sanitation problems.
    A copy of the Draft EIS has been filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency EPA in accordance with 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 and 
USIBWC procedures. Written comments concerning the Draft EIS will be 
accepted at the address provided above until June 13, 2000.

    Dated: March 29, 2000.
William A. Wilcox, Jr.,
Legal Advisor.
[FR Doc. 00-8207 Filed 4-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-P