[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28153-28155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11198]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other 
Water-Related Contract Negotiations

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been 
proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and are new, 
modified, discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this 
notice on February 27, 2004. This notice is one of a variety of means 
used to inform the public about proposed contractual actions for 
capital recovery and management of project resources and facilities 
consistent with section 9(f) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. 
Additional announcements of individual contract actions may be 
published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general 
circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by 
the proposed action.

ADDRESSES: The identity of the approving officer and other information 
pertaining to a specific contract proposal may be obtained by calling 
or writing the appropriate regional office at the address and telephone 
number given for each region in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra L. Simons, Manager, Contract 
Services Office, Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 25007, Denver, Colorado 
80225-0007; telephone 303-445-2902.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Consistent with section 9(f) of the 
Reclamation Project Act of 1939 and the rules and regulations published 
in 52 FR 11954, April 13, 1987 (43 CFR 426.22), Reclamation will 
publish notice of proposed or amendatory contract actions for any 
contract for the delivery of project water for authorized uses in 
newspapers of general circulation in the affected area at least 60 days 
prior to contract execution. Announcements may be in the form of news 
releases, legal notices, official letters, memorandums, or other forms 
of written material. Meetings, workshops, and/or hearings may also be 
used, as appropriate, to provide local publicity. The public 
participation procedures do not apply to proposed contracts for the 
sale of surplus or interim irrigation water for a term of 1 year or 
less. Either of the contracting parties may invite the public to 
observe contract proceedings. All public participation procedures will 
be coordinated with those involved in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act. Pursuant to the ``Final Revised Public 
Participation Procedures'' for water resource-related contract 
negotiations, published in 47 FR 7763, February 22, 1982, a tabulation 
is provided of all proposed contractual actions in each of the five 
Reclamation regions. When contract negotiations are completed, and 
prior to execution, each proposed contract form must be approved by the 
Secretary of the Interior, or pursuant to delegated or redelegated 
authority, the Commissioner of Reclamation or one of the regional 
directors. In some instances, congressional review and approval of a 
report, water rate, or other terms and conditions of the contract may 
be involved.
    Public participation in and receipt of comments on contract 
proposals will be facilitated by adherence to the following procedures:
    1. Only persons authorized to act on behalf of the contracting 
entities may negotiate the terms and conditions of a specific contract 
proposal.
    2. Advance notice of meetings or hearings will be furnished to 
those parties that have made a timely written request for such notice 
to the appropriate regional or project office of Reclamation.
    3. Written correspondence regarding proposed contracts may be made 
available to the general public pursuant to the terms and procedures of 
the Freedom of Information Act, as amended.
    4. Written comments on a proposed contract or contract action must 
be submitted to the appropriate regional officials at the locations and 
within the time limits set forth in the advance public notices.
    5. All written comments received and testimony presented at any 
public hearings will be reviewed and summarized by the appropriate 
regional office for use by the contract approving authority.
    6. Copies of specific proposed contracts may be obtained from the 
appropriate regional director or his designated public contact as they 
become available for review and comment.
    7. In the event modifications are made in the form of a proposed 
contract, the appropriate regional director shall determine whether 
republication of the notice and/or extension of the comment period are 
necessary.
    Factors considered in making such a determination shall include, 
but are not limited to (i) the significance of the modification, and 
(ii) the degree of public interest which has been expressed over the 
course of the negotiations. At a minimum, the regional director shall 
furnish revised contracts to all parties who requested the contract in 
response to the initial public notice.
    The February 27, 2004, notice should be used as a reference point 
to identify changes. The numbering system in this notice corresponds 
with the numbering system in the February 27, 2004.

Definitions of Abbreviations Used in This Document

BCP--Boulder Canyon Project
Reclamation--Bureau of Reclamation
CAP--Central Arizona Project
CVP--Central Valley Project
CRSP--Colorado River Storage Project
FR--Federal Register
IDD--Irrigation and Drainage District
ID--Irrigation District
M&I--Municipal and Industrial
O&M--Operation and Maintenance
P-SMBP--Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program

[[Page 28154]]

PPR-Present Perfected Right
SOD--Safety of Dams
WD-Water District

    Pacific Northwest Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis 
Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234, telephone 208-378-5223.

Completed Contract Action

    8. Baker Valley ID, Baker Project, Oregon: Warren Act contract with 
cost of service charge to allow for use of project facilities to store 
nonproject water. Contract executed on February 28, 2004.

    Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-978-5250.

New Contract Action

    39. Pershing County Water Conservation District, Humboldt Project, 
Nevada: Title transfer agreement for conveyance of the Humboldt 
Project. Modified contract action:
    5. Sutter Extension WD, Delano-Earlimart ID, and the State of 
California Department of Water Resources, CVP, California: Pursuant to 
Pub. L. 102-575, cooperative agreements with non-Federal entities for 
the purpose of providing funding for CVP refuge water wheeling facility 
improvements to provide water for refuge and private wetlands.

Discontinued Contract Actions

    16. City of Redding, CVP, California: Amend water service contract 
No. 14-06-200-5272A, for the purpose of renegotiating the provisions of 
contract Article 15, ``Water Shortage and Apportionment,'' to conform 
to current CVP M&I water shortage policy.
    27. Contra Costa WD, CVP, California: Amend water service contract 
No. I75r-3401A to extend the date for renegotiation of the provisions 
of contract Article 12 ``Water Shortage and Apportionment.''

Completed Contract Actions

    21. El Dorado ID, CVP, California: Title transfer agreement for 
conveyance of CVP facilities. This agreement will allow transfer of 
title for Sly Park Dam, Jenkinson Lake, and appurtenant facilities from 
the CVP to El Dorado ID. Title transfer completed on December 23, 2003.
    35. Banta-Carbona ID, CVP, California: Proposed partial assignment 
of up to 5,000 acre-feet of Banta Carbona ID's CVP water to the City of 
Tracy for M&I use. Partial assignment executed on February 27, 2004.
    36. The West Side ID, CVP, California: Proposed partial assignment 
of up to 5,000 acre-feet of the West Side ID's CVP irrigation water to 
the City of Tracy for M&I use. Partial assignment executed in February 
27, 2004.
    Lower Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 61470 (Nevada 
Highway and Park Street), Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470, telephone 
702-293-8536.

New Contract Actions

    45. Miscellaneous PPR No. 43, BCP, California: Contract with the 
City of Needles for 1,500 acre-feet diversion and 950 acre-feet 
consumptive use.
    46. Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, CAP, Arizona: 
Subcontract for 8,858 acre-feet of water for M&I use.
    47. Cortaro-Marina ID, CAP, Arizona: Agreement with Reclamation and 
Arizona municipalities concerning the operation of a managed effluent 
recharge facility in the Santa Cruz River Channel.

Modified Contract Actions

    3. GOBO Farms, BCP, Arizona: Colorado River water delivery contract 
for 924 acre-feet of Colorado River water per year as recommended by 
the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
    26. Jessen Family Limited Partnership, BCP, Arizona: Contract for 
delivery of 1,080 acre-feet of Colorado River water for agricultural 
purposes.

Completed Contract Actions

    41. Green Valley Water Company, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 
subcontract entitlement of 1,900 acre-feet of M&I water per year to 
Green Valley Domestic Improvement District.
    42. Midvale Farms Water Company, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 
allocation for 1,500 acre-feet of M&I water per year to the City of 
Tucson.
    46. Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, CAP, Arizona: 
Subcontract for 8,858 acre-feet of water for M&I use.

    Upper Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 125 South State 
Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1102, telephone 801-524-
3864.

New Contract Actions

    1.(e) Thomas Chapman, Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: Mr. Chapman has 
requested a 40-year water service contract for 1 acre-foot of water out 
of Blue Mesa Reservoir to support his pending plan of augmentation, 
Water Division 4.
    23. State of Colorado, Animas-La Plata Project, Colorado and New 
Mexico: Cost sharing/repayment contract for up to 10,440 acre-feet per 
year of M&I water; contract terms to be consistent with the Colorado 
Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 (Title III of Pub. L. 106-554).
    24. Coon Creek Reservoir and Ditch Company, Collbran Project: The 
Coon Creek Reservoir and Ditch Company and the Collbran Conservancy 
District have requested a nonproject irrigation carriage contract (40-
year) to have 3 cfs, not to exceed 1,000 acre-feet annually, of their 
direct flow irrigation water rights diverted into and delivered through 
the existing Southside Canal, a feature of the Collbran Project 
delivery structures.

Discontinued Contract Actions

    1.(a) United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Aspinall Unit, CRSP; 
Colorado: Contract for 25 acre-feet to support an augmentation plan to 
provide water for the Hotchkiss Fish Hatchery ponds, used to grow out 
endangered fish, which is a part of the Endangered Fish Recovery 
Program.
    13. Castle Valley Special Service District, City of Huntington, 
Emery County Project: Assignment of contract for 189 acre-feet of water 
for municipal purposes.
    17. South Cache Water Users Association, Hyrum Project, Utah: 
Contract to allow the Association to convert up to 1,000 acre-feet of 
project irrigation water annually to municipal, domestic, and 
industrial uses.

    Great Plains Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 36900, Federal 
Building, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59107-6900, 
telephone 406-247-7790.

New Contract Actions

    36. Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water 
Conservancy District, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Colorado: 
Consideration of a new long-term contract or amendment of contract No. 
4-07-70-W0107 with the Municipal Subdistrict and the Northern Colorado 
Water Conservancy District for the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project.
    37. Northern Integrated Supply Project, Colorado-Big Thompson 
Project, Colorado: Consideration of a new long-term contract with 
approximately 14 regional water suppliers and the Northern Colorado 
Water Conservancy District for the Northern Integrated Supply Project.
    38. Kansas-Bostwick ID No. 2; Franklin, Superior-Courtland, and 
Courtland Units; Bostwick Division; P-SMBP; Courtland, Kansas: The 
District requested a deferment of its 2004 repayment obligation. A 
request is being prepared to amend contract No.

[[Page 28155]]

009D6B0120 to defer payments in accordance with the Act of September 
21, 1959.
    39. Frenchman Valley ID, Frenchman Unit, Frenchman-Cambridge 
Division, P-SMBP, Culbertson, Nebraska: The District requested a 
deferment of its 2004 repayment and reserve fund obligations. A request 
is being prepared to amend contract No. 009E6B0123 to defer payments in 
accordance with the Act of September 21, 1959.
    40. Bostwick ID; Franklin, Superior-Courtland, and Courtland Units; 
Bostwick Division; P-SMBP; Red Cloud, Nebraska: The District requested 
a deferment of its 2004 repayment and water service obligations. A 
request is being prepared to amend contract No. 009E6B0121 to defer 
payments in accordance with the Act of September 21, 1959.
    41. Frenchman-Cambridge ID; Meeker-Driftwood, Red Willow, and 
Cambridge Units; Frenchman-Cambridge Division; P-SMBP; Cambridge, 
Nebraska: The District requested a deferment of its 2004 repayment 
obligation. A request is being prepared to amend contract No. 
009D6B0122 to defer payments in accordance with the Act of September 
21, 1959.

Modified Contract Actions

    14. Lower Marias Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Negotiating for a long-term 
water service contract with Julie Peterson for the use of up to 478 
acre-feet of storage water from Tiber Reservoir to irrigate 239 acres. 
Temporary/interim contracts are being issued to allow continued 
delivery of water and the time necessary to complete required actions 
for the long-term contract process.
    22. Helena Valley Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Initiating discussions 
with Helena Valley ID for renewal of Part A of the A/B contract which 
expires December 31, 2004.
    23. Crow Creek Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Initiating discussions with 
Toston ID for renewal of Part A of the A/B contract which expires 
December 31, 2004.
    28. Helena Valley Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: The long-term water 
service contract with the City of Helena, Montana, expires December 31, 
2004. Initiating discussions for contract renewal for an annual supply 
of raw water for domestic and M&I use from Helena Valley Reservoir.

Completed Contract Actions

    32. Town of Deaver, Shoshone Project, Wyoming: Negotiate a long-
term contract for up to 475 acre-feet of irrigation water from the two 
drains below Deaver Reservoir. The contract was executed December 27, 
2003.
    33. Tom Green County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, 
San Angelo Project, Texas: The District has requested a partial 
deferment of its 2003 repayment obligation. An amendment to contract 
No. 14-06-500-369 was executed January 29, 2004.

    Dated: March 25, 2004.
Roseann Gonzales,
Director, Office of Program and Policy Services.
[FR Doc. 04-11198 Filed 5-17-04; 8:45 am]
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