[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 175 (Friday, September 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54546-54547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23145]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[INT-DES-00-39]


Rio Grande and Low Flow Conveyance Channel Between San Acacia 
Diversion Dam, NM, and the Narrows of Elephant Butte Reservoir, NM

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public hearings for the 
Draft Eenvironmental Impact Statement on the Rio Grande and Low Flow 
Conveyance Channel Modifications.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969 (as amended), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Reclamation (Reclamation), has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) on modifications to the Rio Grande and Low Flow 
Conveyance Channel system. The proposed modifications are located 
downstream from San Marcial, New Mexico.
    The purpose of the DEIS is to analyze the environmental impacts of 
the proposed modifications to the main channel of the Rio Grande and 
Low Flow Conveyance Channel system. The proposed channel system 
realignment would allow for efficient conveyance of water to Elephant 
Butte Reservoir, effective valley drainage, and effective sediment 
management. The proposed changes would also promote the protection and 
restoration of the riparian and riverine ecosystem in the project area.
    The DEIS describes and analyzes the impacts of two alternatives 
that would realign the Low Flow Conveyance Channel and Rio Grande 
system to the west side of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Other 
alternatives included are the No Action and Discontinue Maintenance 
Alternatives. The project, as proposed, would be implemented in phases 
over the next 4 to 11 years, depending upon flow conditions, sediment 
deposition, and other factors. An adaptive management process would be 
used to provide a structured but flexible management approach to the 
construction and maintenance of the realigned channel system.

DATES: A 60-day public review period commences with the publication of 
this notice. Written comments on the DEIS are due by November 7, 2000, 
and should be submitted to Mr. Art Coykendall at the address given 
below. Public hearings on the DEIS will be held during the months of 
October and November in Socorro, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces, New 
Mexico. The public hearings schedule is as follows:
     October 30, 2000, 7 to 9 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 1100 
California, N.E., Socorro, New Mexico.
     November 1, 2000, 7 to 9 p.m., Indian Pueblo Cultural 
Center, 2401 12th Street, N.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico.
     November 2, 2000, 7 to 9 p.m., New Mexico Farm and Ranch 
Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the DEIS and requests for copies should 
be addressed to Mr. Art Coykendall, Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque 
Area Office, 505 Marquette Street, NW., Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New 
Mexico 87102-2162; telephone (505) 248-5351; faxogram (505) 248-5308; 
e-mail: [email protected]. The DEIS is also available on the 
Internet at www.uc.usbr.gov.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual 
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from public 
disclosure, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. If you 
wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this 
prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will make all 
submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.
    Copies of the DEIS are also available for public review and 
inspection at the following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior, 
Room 7455, 18th and C Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20240.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Denver 
Federal Center, Building 67, Room 167, Denver, Colorado 80225.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, 125 
South State Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1102.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 505 
Marquette Street, NW., Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-2162.
     Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, 
Attention: Jennifer A. Salisbury, Secretary, 2040 South Pacheco Street, 
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505.

Libraries

Albuquerque Public Library, Albuquerque

[[Page 54547]]

University of New Mexico Library, Albuquerque
Zimmerman Library, Albuquerque
New Mexico State Library, Santa Fe
New Mexico State University Library, Las Cruces
Socorro Public Library, Socorro

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Art Coykendall, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 505 Marquette Street, NW., Suite 
1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-2162; telephone (505) 248-5351.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Flood Control Acts of 1948 and 1950 
authorize Reclamation to construct and maintain channel works on the 
Rio Grande between Velarde, New Mexico, and Caballo Reservoir. These 
works promote the efficient conveyance of water to Elephant Butte 
Reservoir. Channel works also assist in meeting water delivery 
obligations required by interstate compact and international treaty. 
They also assist in providing reliable valley drainage and contribute 
to the safe passage of flood waters. To ensure that these project 
purposes continue to be met effectively, Reclamation has proposed to 
modify the main channel of the Rio Grande and Low Flow Conveyance 
Channel system.
    Factors prompting a reevaluation of the channel system include 
changes in the flow of the Rio Grande due to climatic variation and 
infrastructure changes. Chronic sediment management problems, 
anticipated reductions in federal funding, and new legal constraints on 
system operations, such as the Endangered Species Act, are also factors 
prompting this reevaluation.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purposes of the proposed federal action are to convey water to 
Elephant Butte Reservoir, maintain effective valley drainage, manage 
sediment, and protect and promote restoration of the riparian and 
riverine system to help meet the following needs:
     Fulfill obligations to deliver water to Mexico and as 
required under interstate water compact;
     Sustain agricultural production;
     Maintain high flow capacity in the river;
     Manage costs of system operation and maintenance; and
     Restore native species habitat.

Hearing Process Information

    Oral comments at the hearings will be limited to 10 minutes. The 
hearing officer may allow any speaker to provide additional oral 
comments after all persons wishing to comment have been heard. All 
comments will be formally recorded. Speakers not present when called 
will lose their privilege in the scheduled order and will be recalled 
at the end of the scheduled speakers. Speakers are encouraged to 
provide written versions of their oral comments, and any other 
additional written materials, for the hearing record.
    Written comments from those unable to attend or those wishing to 
supplement their oral presentations at the hearings should be received 
by Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office at the address given above no 
later than November 7, 2000, for inclusion in the hearing record. Under 
the NEPA process, written and oral comments, received by the due date, 
are given the same consideration.

    Dated: September 1, 2000.
Charles A. Calhoun,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 00-23145 Filed 9-7-00; 8:45 am]
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