[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 115 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 40964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15021]



[[Page 40964]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Resource Management Plan for Elephant Butte and Caballo 
Reservoirs, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement on the Resource Management Plan for Elephant Butte and 
Caballo Reservoirs INT-FES-02-17.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) 
has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Elephant Butte and Caballo 
Reservoirs. Reclamation's proposed action is to develop an RMP that 
provides a conceptual framework for the conservation, protection, 
development, use, enhancement, and management of resources at Elephant 
Butte and Caballo Reservoirs. The proposed action exercises the 
provisions of several federal laws applicable to Reclamation.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS are available for public review and 
inspection at the following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office, 125 
South State Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1147; 
telephone (801) 524-3829
     Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 505 
Marquette NW., Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102; telephone 
(505) 248-5357
     Bureau of Reclamation, Elephant Butte Field Division, 
HC32, Box 312, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 87901; telephone (505) 
894-6661
     Bureau of Reclamation, El Paso Field Division, 700 East 
San Antonio Avenue, Room 710, El Paso, Texas 79901; telephone (915) 
534-6299
     Local Government Division, Attention: Ken Hughes, Bataan 
Memorial Building, Room 201, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503.

Libraries

     Copies will also be available for public review and 
inspection at the following public libraries:
     Santa Fe Library, 145 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico
     Rio Grande Valley Library, 501 Cooper Avenue, N.W., 
Albuquerque, New Mexico
     Socorro Public Library, 401 Park Street, Socorro, New 
Mexico
     Truth or Consequences Public Library, 325 Library Lane, 
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
     Las Cruces Library, 200 East Picacho, Las Cruces, New 
Mexico
     El Paso Public Library, 501 North Oregon Street, El Paso, 
Texas

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clay McDermeit, Reclamation Team 
Leader, Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs RMP, 505 Marquette NW., 
Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102, telephone (505) 248-5391; 
or Ms. Rosemary Romero, Western Network, 1350-B, San Juan Drive, Santa 
Fe, New Mexico 87505; telephone (505) 982-9805.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS considers the effects of four 
management alternatives on the land and water resources at Elephant 
Butte and Caballo Reservoirs. The Multi-Purpose Emphasis Alternative, 
which provides for a variety of multiple uses including expanded 
developed recreation areas, improved primitive recreation areas, and 
designated wildlife management areas, has been selected as the 
preferred alternative. This alternative further identifies a course of 
action with minimal environmental impact, increased resource 
protection, and an acceptable level of recreational use. Under the 
selected alternative, grazing would continue based on extensive 
monitoring and confirmation of the capability of the resources to 
sustain grazing, a total of 378 lease lots would be privatized, 
additional wildlife management areas would be established, and selected 
recreation facilities would be expanded to accommodate future public 
recreation needs.
    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement was issued September 24, 
1999. Responses to comments received from interested organizations and 
individuals on the draft are addressed in the FEIS. No decision will be 
made on the proposed action until 30 days after release of the FEIS. 
After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a Record of 
Decision. The Record of Decision will state the action that will be 
implemented and discuss all factors leading to that decision.

    Dated: May 3, 2002.
Rick L. Gold,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 02-15021 Filed 6-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P