[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 1364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-607]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Central Utah Project Completion Act

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA), 
Water System Improvements, Federal Riverdell Property, Duchesne and 
Uintah Counties, Utah.

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SUMMARY: The Central Utah Project Completion Act Office proposes to 
rehabilitate and improve the water deliver system serving the Federal 
Riverdell property near Myton, Utah, to maintain and improve existing 
wetland habitats for fish and wildlife mitigation purposes. Three 
alternative concepts are evaluated, along with the No Action 
Alternative, without indicating a Proposed Action or preferred 
alternative. Public comment is invited on all alternatives. A Proposed 
Action will be developed based on environmental impacts and benefits of 
each alternative, costs, available funding, and public comments 
received.
    One alternative would abandon the existing river diversion and 
canal delivery system and relocate the irrigation diversion downstream 
on the Duchesne River to a point nearer the property. Irrigation water 
would be delivered to the property from the new location by means of an 
electrically-powered pump and buried irrigation pipeline. Other 
features of this alternative include installing perforated drain pipe 
in a portion of the abandoned delivery canal to collect and redirect 
agricultural drainwater (that accumulates in and near the Riverdell 
Canal) through the Riverdell property and back to the Duchesne River.
    In addition, a pair of rock sills would be constructed at a 
strategic location across the Duchesne River to divert high river flows 
into a remnant oxbow on the property, thereby recharging degraded 
wetlands formerly sustained by river flows. A second alternative 
evaluates a minimal cost option that abandons the existing diversion 
dam and canal, and relocates the point of diversion as in the first 
alternative. Irrigation water would be delivered to the property from 
the new location by means of an electrically powered pump and buried 
irrigation pipe. The third alternative would relocate the diversion 
point to an upstream location. A new diversion dam and buried pipeline 
would deliver water to the property by gravity flow along the existing 
canal alignment. Pumping of water would not be included in this 
alternative.
    The public is invited to submit comments on the adequacy of the DEA 
and the assessment of environmental impacts. Comments received in 
response to this solicitation will be part of the public record and 
available for public review pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 
(5 U.S.C. 552) and may be released to the public upon request. This 
will normally include names, addresses, and any other personal 
information provided with comments. Reviewers may request that personal 
information be withheld from such releases by so indicating in their 
letter of comment or by means of separate written communication.

DATES: The DEA will be available for public review and comment for a 
minimum of thirty (30) calendar days following the publication of this 
notice. The deadline for submittal of written comments on the DEA will 
be stated on the cover sheet of the document and noted in the 
transmittal letter to all reviewers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information on matters 
related to this Federal Register notice can be obtained by contacting 
Mr. Ralph G. Swanson, Program Coordinator, CUP Completion Act Office, 
Department of the Interior, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, UT 84606-6154, 
Telephone: (801) 379-1254, E-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: January 4, 2002.
Ronald Johnston,
CUP Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 02-607 Filed 1-9-02; 8:45 am]
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