[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74651-74652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31664]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


United States Section; Notice of Availability of Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement, River Management Alternatives for the 
Rio Grande Canalization Project, Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, 
NM and El Paso County, TX

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the United States Section, 
International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), in cooperation 
with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on River Management 
Alternatives for the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP) located in 
Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, NM and El Paso County, TX. The 
DEIS analyzes effects of the No Action Alternative and three action 
alternatives on the future RGCP operation, maintenance, and 
implementation of environmental measures. One public hearing will be 
held to receive oral comments on the DEIS from interested organizations 
and individuals through transcription by a certified court reporter. 
Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings or mailed to 
the USIBWC contact and address below.

DATES: Written comments are requested by February 10, 2004. A public 
hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2004 in El Paso, Texas. 
See ADDRESSES below for location and time.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Mr. Douglas Echlin, Lead

[[Page 74652]]

Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Management Division, 
USIBWC, 4171 North Mesa Street, C-310, El Paso, Texas 79902. A public 
hearing is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 
2004 at the USIBWC Headquarters, First Floor Conference Room, 4171 
North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902 to present your verbal or 
written comments.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for inspection and review at the 
following locations: 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; University Library, The University of Texas at El 
Paso, El Paso, Texas; and United States Section, International Boundary 
and Water Commission, 4171 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas. A copy of 
the DEIS will also be posted at the USIBWC Web site at 
www.ibwc.state.gov ``IBWC News.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Douglas Echlin, Lead 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 USIBWC is evaluating long-term river 
management alternatives for the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP), 
a narrow river corridor that extends 105.4 river miles along the Rio 
Grande, from below Percha Dam in Sierra County, New Mexico to American 
Dam in El Paso, Texas. The RGCP is operated and maintained by the 
USIBWC and was constructed to facilitate water deliveries to the Rincon 
and Mesilla Valleys in New Mexico, El Paso Valley in Texas, and Juarez 
Valley in Mexico. The project also includes a levee system for flood 
control.
    The USIBWC currently implements operation and maintenance 
procedures to enhance ecosystem functions within the RGCP; however, 
alterations to the river and floodway from events that pre-date RGCP 
construction continue to affect the river and floodway. Therefore, 
USIBWC recognizes the need to accomplish flood control, water delivery, 
and operations and maintenance activities in a manner that enhances and 
restores the riparian ecosystem.
    River management alternatives were considered and developed over a 
three-year-long public consultation process that included input from 
the general public and stakeholders such as regulatory agencies, 
irrigation districts, and environmental organizations. The No Action 
Alternative and three potential action alternatives were selected for 
further evaluation in the DEIS. Levee rehabilitation, changes 
associated with grazing leases to improve erosion control, floodway 
management, and river restoration including aquatic habitat 
diversification and riparian vegetation development are measures 
considered in the action alternatives. The USIBWC will select a 
preferred alternative after public comment on the DEIS.
    A copy of the DEIS has been filed with the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) in accordance with 40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and USIBWC 
procedures. Written comments concerning the DEIS will be accepted at 
the address provided above until February 10, 2004.

    Dated: December 18, 2003.
Mario Lewis,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 03-31664 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-U