[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20398-20400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7789]



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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 March 10, 2005. 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 is 
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 March 10, 2005, notice should be used as a reference point to 
identify changes. The numbering system in this notice corresponds with 
the numbering system in the March 10, 2005, notice.

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
NMISC--New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
O&M--Operation and Maintenance
P-SMBP--Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program
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 208-378-5344.
    The Pacific Northwest Region has no updates to report for this 
quarter. Please refer to the March 10, 2005, publication of this notice 
for current contract actions.
    Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-978-5250.

New contract actions:
    37. Broadview WD, CVP, California: Proposed assignment of 27,000 
acre-feet of Broadview WD's entire CVP supply to Westlands WD for 
irrigation and M&I use.
    38. Mendota Wildlife Area, CVP, California: Reimbursement agreement 
between the California Department of Fish and Game and Reclamation for 
conveyance service costs to deliver Level 2 water to the Mendota 
Wildlife Area during infrequent periods when the Mendota Pool is down 
due to unexpected but needed maintenance. This action is taken pursuant 
to Pub. L. 102-575, Title 34, Section 3406(d)(1), to meet full Level 2 
water needs of the Mendota Wildlife Area.

Discontinued contract item:
    29. Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, CVP, California: 
Proposed assignment of 27,000 acre-feet of

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Broadview WD's entire CVP supply to Pajaro Valley Water Management 
Agency for M&I use.

Completed contract action:
    2. Contractors from the American River Division, Cross Valley 
Canal, Delta Division, Friant Division, Sacramento River Division, San 
Felipe Division, Shasta Division, Trinity River Division, and West San 
Joaquin Division; CVP; California: Renewal of up to 114 long-term water 
service contracts; water quantities for these contracts total in excess 
of 3.4M acre-feet. These contract actions will be accomplished through 
long-term renewal contracts pursuant to Pub. L. 102-575. Prior to 
completion of negotiation of long-term renewal contracts, existing 
interim renewal water service contracts may be renewed through 
successive interim renewal of contracts. Execution of long-term renewal 
contracts began in late February 2005. Execution of these contracts 
will continue through July 2005.
    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:
    40. Cibola Valley IDD, BCP, Arizona: Assign 396 acre-feet per year 
of the district's entitlement to fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-priority 
water to The Conservation Fund.
    41. Golden Shores Water Conservation District, BCP, Arizona: Amend 
the district's contract to include the water allocation for Topock 
Village Estates within the district's boundaries.
    42. Ronald E. and Shannon L. Williamson, BCP, California: Assign 
contract No. 6-07-30-W0342 to Kendell Perrett from Ronald E. and 
Shannon L. Williamson.
Modified contract action:
    33. Wellton-Mohawk IDD, BCP, Arizona: Amend contract No. 1-07-30-
W0021 to revise the authority to deliver domestic use water from 5,000 
to 12,000 acre-feet per calendar year, which is within the district's 
current overall Colorado River water entitlement.

Completed contract actions:
    9. San Tan ID, CAP, Arizona: Amend distribution system repayment 
contract No. 6-07-30-W0120 to increase the repayment obligation by 
approximately $168,000. Amendatory contract executed on February 16, 
2005.
    31. Cibola Valley IDD, BCP, Arizona: Contingent upon completion of 
sale documents, proposed assignment and transfer of a portion of the 
district's right to divert up to 24,120 acre-feet of Colorado River 
water per year to the Mohave County Water Authority, the Hopi Tribe, 
and Reclamation. Contract was executed on December 14, 2004.
    42. Ronald E. and Shannon L. Williamson, BCP, California: Assign 
contract No. 6-07-30-W0342 to Kendell Perrett from Ronald E. and 
Shannon L. Williamson. Amendatory contract executed on February 16, 
2005.
    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.(c) Dry West Nursery, Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: Dry West 
Nursery has requested a 40-year water service contract for 3 acre-feet 
of water out of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Dry West Nursery has submitted 
their augmentation plan to Water District 4, Case No. 04CW174.
    1.(d) United Companies, Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: United 
Companies has requested 22.0 acre-feet of M&I water out of Blue Mesa 
Reservoir for four gravel pits.
    1.(e) Downy Excavating, Inc., Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: Downy 
Excavating, Inc., has requested a 40-year water service contract for 2 
acre-feet of water out of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Downy Excavation has 
submitted their augmentation plan to Water District 4, Case No. 97CW49.
    1.(f) Bowie Resources, LLC, Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: Bowie 
Resources, LLC has requested a 40-year water service contract for 105 
acre-feet of water out of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Bowie Resources has 
submitted their augmentation plan to Water District 4, Case No. 02CW77.
    29. Carbon Water Conservancy District, Scofield Project, Utah: 
Contract providing for the district to repay to the United States 15 
percent of the cost of SOD modifications to the spillway at Scofield 
Dam.
    30. Weber River Water Users Association, Weber River Project, Utah: 
Contract providing for the association to repay to the United States 15 
percent of the cost of SOD modifications at Echo Dam.
    31. Central Utah Project, Utah. Petition for project water among 
the United States, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and the 
Duchesne County Water Conservancy District for use of 3,000 acre-feet 
of irrigation water from the Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah 
Project.

Modified contract action:
    10. Pine River ID, Pine River Project, Colorado: Contract to allow 
the district to convert project irrigation water 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 406-247-7752.

New contract actions:
    45. Belle Fourche ID, Belle Fourche Project, P-SMBP, South Dakota: 
Temporary contract for a supplemental water supply from Keyhole 
Reservoir.
    46. Buford-Trenton ID, P-SMBP, North Dakota: Amend existing power 
contract to provide for increase in project use pumping power rate of 
delivery and enter new repayment and power contract for additional 
project use pumping power for project purposes in irrigating bench 
lands existing within the district.
    47. East Bench ID, East Bench Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: The district 
requested a deferment of its 2005 distribution works repayment 
obligation. A request is being prepared to amend Contract No. 14-06-
600-3593 to defer payments in accordance with the Act of September 21, 
1959.
    48. ExxonMobil Corporation, Ruedi Reservoir, Fryingpan-Arkansas 
Project, Colorado: Consideration of ExxonMobil Corporation's request to 
amend its Ruedi Round I contract to include additional uses for the 
water.
    49. Frenchman Valley ID; Frenchman Unit, Frenchman-Cambridge 
Division, P-SMBP; Culbertson, Nebraska: The district requested a 
deferment of its 2005 repayment and reserve fund obligations in 
accordance with the Act of September 21, 1959.
    50. Kansas-Bostwick ID No. 2; Courtland Unit, Bostwick Division, P-
SMBP; Courtland, Kansas: The district requested a deferment of its 2005 
repayment and water service obligations in accordance with the Act of 
September 21, 1959.

Discontinued contract action:
    37. City of Huron, P-SMBP, South Dakota: Renewal of long-term 
operation, maintenance, and replacement agreement for O&M of the James 
Diversion Dam, South Dakota, with the City of Huron, South Dakota, or 
negotiation of water service and O&M with other interested, but as of 
yet, unidentified entity.

Completed contract actions:
    13. Sisk Ranch, Inc., Lower Marias Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: 
Initiating a long-term contract for up to 552 acre-feet of storage 
water from Tiber Reservoir to irrigate 276 acres. Temporary contracts 
have been issued to allow continued delivery of water. A new 40-year 
water service contract was executed on December 13, 2004.
    14. I.J. Peterson Ranch, Inc., Lower Marias Unit, P-SMBP, Montana:

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Initiating a long-term contract for up to 478 acre-feet of storage 
water from Tiber Reservoir to irrigate 239 acres. Temporary contracts 
have been issued to allow continued delivery of water. A new 40-year 
water service contract was executed on December 13, 2004.
    22. Helena Valley Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Negotiating with Helena 
Valley ID for renewal of Part A of the A/B contract which expired 
December 31, 2004. A new 40-year repayment contract was executed on 
December 28, 2004.
    23. Crow Creek Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Negotiating with Toston ID 
for renewal of Part A of the A/B contract which expired December 31, 
2004. A new 40-year repayment contract was executed on December 30, 
2004.
    27. Tiber Enterprises, Inc., Lower Marias Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: 
Initiating a long-term contract for up to 1,388 acre-feet of storage 
water from Tiber Reservoir to irrigate 694 acres. Temporary contracts 
have been issued to allow continued delivery of water. A new 40-year 
water service contract was executed on December 13, 2004.
    28. Helena Valley Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Initiating negotiations 
for contract renewal for an annual supply of water for domestic and M&I 
use to the City of Helena, Montana. A new 40-year water service 
contract was executed on December 29, 2004.

    Dated: March 18, 2005.
Roseann Gonzales,
Director, Office of Program and Policy Services.
[FR Doc. 05-7789 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P