[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 71128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30224]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION

United States and Mexico


Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the El Paso-Las Cruces Regional Sustainable Water Project Sierra 
and Dona Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of final environmental impact statement.

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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 
final environmental impact statement (FEIS) 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 FEIS analyzes the no action alternative and the 
impacts of five action alternatives from construction and operation of 
the project. No final decision can be made on this proposal during the 
30 days following the filing of this FEIS, in accordance with the 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations, 40 CFR 1506.10(b)(2).

ADDRESSES: The FEIS may be inspected by appointment during normal 
business hours at: El Paso Water Utilities, 1154 Hawkins Boulevard, El 
Paso, Texas; and United States Section, International Boundary and 
Water Commission, 4171 North Mesa Street, Suite C-315, El Paso, Texas. 
Public libraries that have the FEIS available for review are: 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; and University 
Library, The University of Texas at El Paso, 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 recovery. 
These activities comprise the following three project purposes to 
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, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas; to protect and maintain the 
sustainability of the Mesilla Bolson (ground water basin or aquifer); 
and to extend the longevity of the Hueco Bolson.
    Project alternatives presented in this FEIS were designed to 
achieve these three project purposes. In addition, the project will 
strive to provide high quality water needed to achieve successful 
treatment and to meet federal drinking water standards; to deliver 
water efficiently and promote water conservation; and provide overall 
benefits to the riverine ecosystem, particularly aquatic and riparian 
habitats.
    The project recognizes and accepts existing institutional and 
social constraints, including continuing 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.
    Copies of the FEIS have been sent to agencies, organizations and 
individuals who participated in the scoping process and to those who 
have requested copies of the FEIS. A limited number of the FEIS may be 
obtained upon request from the contact person identified above. A 
Record of Decision will be prepared on this proposal after a minimum of 
30 days following the filing of the FEIS. Any comments on the Final EIS 
must be received no later than 30 days after the date of publication of 
the notice of availability by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
in the Federal Register. No action will be taken on the proposed action 
before 30 days following publication of the notice of availability of 
the EIS by EPA.

    Dated: November 17, 2000.
William A. Wilcox, Jr.,
Legal Advisor.
[FR Doc. 00-30224 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-U