[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40665-40666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15224]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


United States Section; Notice of Availability of Final 
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 Final Environmental Impact Statement.

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

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 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 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 
FEIS analyzes effects of the No Action Alternative and three action 
alternatives on the future RGCP operation, maintenance, and 
implementation of environmental measures. No final action will be taken 
on this proposal during the 30 days following the filing of this FEIS, 
in accordance with the Council on Environmental regulations, 40 CFR 
1506.10(b)(2).

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS 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 FEIS will also be posted at the USIBWC site at http://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-100, El Paso, Texas 79902 or call 915/832-4741.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USIBWC evaluated long-term river 
management alternatives for the 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 County, 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, if possible.
    River management alternatives were considered and developed over an 
extensive public consultation process that included input from the 
general public and stakeholders such as regulatory agencies, irrigation 
districts, farmers, and environmental organizations. The No Action 
Alternative and three potential action alternatives were selected for 
further evaluation. Levee rehabilitation, changes associated with 
grazing leases to improve erosion control, floodway management, and 
river restoration

[[Page 40666]]

including aquatic habitat diversification and riparian vegetation 
development are measures considered in the action alternatives. The 
Preferred Alternative is the Integrated USIBWC Land Management 
Alternative representing the best balance of flood control, water 
delivery and habitat enhancement.
    The FEIS has been filed with the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) in accordance with 40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and USIBWC procedures. 
No action will be taken on the proposed action before 30 days following 
publication of the notice of availability of the FEIS by EPA in the 
Federal Register. A Record of Decision will be issued on this proposal 
after the minimum 30 days following the filing of the FEIS by the EPA.

    Dated: June 29, 2004.
Susan Daniel,
Legal Advisor.
[FR Doc. 04-15224 Filed 7-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-P