[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62778-62779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27977]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Closure of the Al Black Recreation Area at the Cochiti Dam 
Outlet Works in Sandoval County, NM

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District (Corps) 
intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
proposed closure of the Al Black Recreation area at the Cochiti Dam 
Outlet Works in Sandoval County, NM.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ernest Jahnke, U.S., Army Corps of 
Engineers, 4101 Jefferson Plaza, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 342-
3416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps, the Cochiti de Pueblo (Pueblo), 
and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are investigating modifying the 
easement for the operation of the Cochiti Dam Outlet Works/Al Black 
Recreation Area. Specifically, the recreation easement would be 
rescinded but the Corps would retain the original dam operation and 
maintenance easement. Public access to the recreation area would no 
longer be allowed. All public-oriented facilities and other amenities 
that have no bearing on operation or maintenance of the Outlet Works 
would be removed and surplused or disposed of following Federal 
guidelines. The Corps would restore the site as prescribed by the 
Pueblo. The Cochiti Dam Outlet Works operation and maintenance easement 
granted to the Corps would remain in effect. Corps, Middle Rio Grande 
Conservancy District, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) personnel 
would have access to the area for operation and maintenance purposes. 
Members of the Pueblo would continue to access the area for religious 
and cultural ceremonies. This Federal action would satisfy a November 
8, 2001, understanding between the Corps, Pueblo and BIA.

[[Page 62779]]

    Construction of the Cochiti Dam and Lake (Project) was authorized 
for flood and sediment control in the Upper Rio Grande Basin by the 
Flood Control Act of 1960 (Pub. L. 86-645). Various Pueblo/Corps lease 
agreements defined the use and management of the Project land owned by 
the Pueblo including Corps construction of public use recreation 
facilities at various locations that the Pueblo would operate and 
maintain. In a lease amendment dated June 12, 1984, the Pueblo 
transferred the operation and maintenance of the Outlet Channel Area/Al 
Black Recreation Area to the Corps.
    All private interests and Federal, State, local agencies, and 
tribes having an interest in the project are hereby notified of the 
proposed action and are invited to comment at this time. The scoping 
process will consist of public notification to explain and describe the 
proposed action, early identification of resources that should be 
considered during the study, and public review periods. Coordination 
with the public and with other agencies will be carried out through 
public announcements, letters, report review periods telephone 
conversations, and meetings.
    The Corps prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment on the proposed 
action and held a public meeting on August 28, 2003 in Rio Rancho, NM. 
Additional information and evidence gathered during that meeting and 
expressed public resistance to establishing a recreation facility at 
Pena Blanca, NM resulted in the decision to prepare an EIS for the 
proposed action. All Federal, State and local agencies, affected Indian 
tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties will be 
notified of the meeting and will be provided copies of the Draft EIS 
(DEIS) for comment.
    Significant issues to be discussed in the DEIS include the 
alternatives analysis for the possible relocation of the Al Black 
Recreation Area and other avenues for replacing lost recreation 
opportunities incurred as a result of the proposed action.
    The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Albuquerque District. Cooperating agency status has not been 
assigned, nor requested, by any other agency.
    The EIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and will 
address the project's relationship to all other applicable Federal and 
State laws and Executive Orders.
    Scoping meetings will be held in Pe[ntilde]a Blanca, Albuquerque 
and other locations as deemed necessary. Specific information regarding 
location and time of the meetings will be published in local 
newspapers. It is anticipated that the DEIS will be available for 
public review and comment by February 1, 2004.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-27977 Filed 11-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KK-M