[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45740-45745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15575]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of rate adjustments.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns, or has an interest 
in, irrigation facilities located on various Indian reservations 
throughout the United States. We are required to establish rates to 
recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate 
those facilities. We are notifying you that we have adjusted the 
irrigation assessment rates at several of our irrigation facilities for 
operation and maintenance.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The irrigation assessment rates shown in the tables 
were effective on January 1, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For details about a particular BIA 
irrigation project, please use the tables in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section to contact the regional or local office where the 
project is located.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Proposed Rate Adjustment was 
published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2005 (70 FR 20), to 
adjust the irrigation rates at several BIA irrigation facilities. The 
public and interested parties were provided an opportunity to submit 
written comments during the 60-day period prior to April 1, 2005.

Did the BIA receive any comments on the proposed irrigation assessment 
rate adjustments?

    Written comments were received for the proposed rate adjustments 
for the Fort Peck Irrigation Project, Montana, the San Carlos 
Irrigation Project--Indian Works, Arizona and the San Carlos Irrigation 
Project--Joint Works, Arizona.

What issues were of concern by the commenters?

    The commenters were concerned with one or more of the following 
five issues: (1) How funds collected from stakeholders are expended on 
operation and maintenance; (2) the impact of an assessment rate 
increase on the local agricultural economy; (3) what is deferred 
maintenance and why was the rate increased to handle the deferred 
maintenance; and (4) why do the irrigation projects need to have a 
reserve fund.
    For the San Carlos Irrigation Project--Joint Works (SCIP-JW), 
commenters were concerned with the following issues: (1) What are the 
record keeping practices and sharing them with water users; (2) why 
doesn't the SCIP-JW budget reflect income from other sources, such as, 
excess pumping; (3) why doesn't SCIP-JW charge tribal concessions that 
operate at BIA project reservoirs; (4) why doesn't the SCIP-JW power 
project pay revenues to the irrigation project; and (5) why does SCIP-
JW have to pay for environmental and archaeological surveys with O&M 
monies.

[[Page 45741]]

How does BIA respond to the concern of how funds are expended for 
operation and maintenance?

    The BIA's records for expenditures on all of its irrigation 
facilities are public records and available for review by stakeholders 
or interested parties. Stakeholders (project water users/land owners/
tribes) can review these records during normal business hours at the 
individual agency offices. Alternatively, BIA may treat requests to 
review project records as requests under the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) and provide copies of such records to the requesting party in 
accordance with FOIA. To review or to obtain copies of these records, 
stakeholders and interested parties are directed to contact the BIA 
representative at the specific facility serving them using the tables 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

How does BIA respond to concerns about irrigation assessment rate 
increases and related impacts on the local agricultural economy?

    All of the BIA's irrigation projects are important economic 
contributors to the local communities they serve, contributing millions 
in crop value annually. Historically, BIA tempered irrigation rate 
increases to demonstrate sensitivity to the economic impact on water 
users. This has resulted in a rate deficiency at most of the irrigation 
projects.
    Over the past several years the BIA's irrigation program has been 
the subject of several Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits. In the 
most recent audit, No. 96-I-641, March 1996, the OIG concluded, 
``Operation and maintenance revenues were insufficient to maintain the 
projects, and some projects had deteriorated to the extent that their 
continued capability to deliver water was in doubt. This occurred 
because operation and maintenance rates were not based on the full cost 
of delivering water, including the costs of systematically 
rehabilitating and replacing project facilities and equipment, and 
because project personnel did not seek regular rate increases to cover 
the full cost of operation.'' This audit recommendation is still 
outstanding.
    A previous OIG audit, No. 88-42, February 1988, reached the same 
conclusion. A separate audit performed on one of BIA's largest 
irrigation projects, Wapato Indian Irrigation Project, No. 95-I-1402, 
September 1995, reinforced the general findings of the OIG on the BIA's 
irrigation program. This pointed out a lack of response by the BIA to 
the original findings of the OIG in addressing this critical issue over 
an extended period of time. The BIA must systematically review and 
evaluate irrigation assessment rates and adjust them when necessary to 
reflect the full costs to properly operate, and perform all appropriate 
maintenance on, the irrigation facility infrastructure for safe and 
reliable operation. If this review and evaluation is not accomplished, 
a rate deficiency can eventually accumulate. Overcoming rate 
deficiencies can result in the BIA having to raise irrigation 
assessment rates in larger increments and over shorter time frames than 
would have been otherwise necessary.

How does BIA respond to what is deferred maintenance and why was the 
rate increased to handle the deferred maintenance?

    Deferred maintenance is maintenance that was not performed and is 
delayed for a future period due to insufficient funds or other reasons. 
Historically, BIA tempered irrigation rate increases to demonstrate 
sensitivity to the economic impact on water users. This has resulted in 
a rate deficiency at most of the irrigation projects and a cumulative 
increase in deferred maintenance. The BIA must systematically review 
and evaluate irrigation assessment rates and adjust them when necessary 
to reflect the full costs to properly operate, and perform all 
appropriate maintenance on, the irrigation facility infrastructure for 
safe and reliable operation. If this review and evaluation is not 
accomplished, a rate deficiency can eventually accumulate. Overcoming 
rate deficiencies can result in the BIA having to raise irrigation 
assessment rates in larger increments and over shorter time frames than 
would have been otherwise necessary.

How does BIA respond to why do the irrigation projects need to have a 
reserve fund?

    Like any ``fee-for-service'' activity, the BIA irrigation projects 
must maintain revenue in a reserve fund to adequately react to an 
emergency, should one arise. As such, the Irrigation Indian Affairs 
Manual requires BIA irrigation projects to ``prepare contingency plans 
for events or emergencies which might interrupt the delivery of 
irrigation water.'' The irrigation projects should maintain cash 
reserves sufficient to support anticipated events and/or emergencies 
that may arise. Planning for major repairs/rehabilitation of major 
structures and planning for replacement of major equipment (graders, 
backhoes, etc.) is also required.
    The following comments may pertain to other irrigation projects, 
but are specific to San Carlos Irrigation Project--Joint Works (SCIP-
JW).

How does BIA respond to what are the record keeping practices and 
sharing this information with water users?

    SCIP-JW has provided an itemized accounting of income and 
expenditures (by obligations) to the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage 
District (District) on a monthly basis, including a verbal report to 
the District at its monthly Board meeting. SCIP-JW keeps copies of 
monthly transactions, which includes records of collections, expenses, 
obligations, deobligations and cash balances. In addition, SCIP-JW 
keeps detailed payroll records. These records are and have been 
available at any time for the District to review, pursuant to the 
``Books of Accounts'' section of the 1931 Repayment Contract, or 
through the Freedom of Information Act. More recently, SCIP responded 
to a request by the District to review project records as a request for 
information under FOIA and provided the District with six binders of 
copies of records and documents relating to SCIP expenditures. In 
addition, SCIP provides a variety of other documents and records to the 
District during the course of any given year, such as monthly pump 
reports, monthly water reports, daily water reports, and several 
iterations of the proposed SCIP-JW budget on an annual basis, and 
regular updates of the operating budget during the year.

How does BIA respond to concerns about why the SCIP-JW budget does not 
reflect income from other sources, such as, excess pumping?

    Projected miscellaneous income has fluctuated due to unanticipated 
reduction in overnight interest rates, sales of land, and inability to 
predict income from over pumping by water users. Since the budgets for 
SCIP-JW are prepared 2 years in advance, it is impossible to predict 
the amount of excess pumping (or if there will be any). The practice of 
allowing excess pumping by the water users generates income to SCIP-JW, 
which only covers the costs of excess pumping.

How does BIA respond to concerns about why SCIP-JW does not charge 
tribal concessions that operate at BIA project reservoirs?

    Currently, no formal concession agreement is in place at San Carlos 
Reservoir. The previous concession agreement between the BIA and the 
San Carlos Apache Tribe expired

[[Page 45742]]

approximately 5 years ago. In 1992, the San Carlos Apache Tribe was 
authorized to participate in decisions concerning recreation and fish 
and wildlife concessions at San Carlos Reservoir. See Public Law 102-
575, Title XXXVII, section 3710(e), October 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 4600, 
4750 (``1992 Act''), amending 25 U.S.C. 390. In addition, while the 
Repayment Contract generally provides that ``any sums collected by or 
for the benefit of the Project'' are to be used to pay operation and 
maintenance costs, it makes no reference to concession revenues and 
there is no provision, express or implied, that requires the Secretary 
or the BIA to develop such other sources of funding.

How does BIA respond to concerns about why the SCIP-JW power project 
does not pay revenues to the irrigation project?

    Because the generators are inoperable, there are no additional 
revenues in the Power Division to subsidize power costs for the 
Irrigation Division. Additionally, there are no other Government (or 
appropriated) funds to cover power for pumping. San Carlos Irrigation 
and Drainage District (District) made the claim in San Carlos 
Irrigation and Drainage District v. United States, 32 Fed. Cl. 200 
(1994), that SCIP-JW could not charge the District for power for 
pumping, which ``replaced'' power, formerly generated at Coolidge Dam. 
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the 
holding of the U.S. Claims Court and concluded: ``We agree with the 
government's contention that providing power for pumps is properly 
considered part of the ``operation'' of the pumps. There is no 
statement that free power to run the pumps is assured in the Contract 
or the Act.'' San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District v. United 
States, 111 F.3d 1557, 1566 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
    The BIA provides power for SCIP-JW pumps at the lowest possible 
cost using Federal preferred-rate Parker-Davis hydro-power, the least 
expensive source of power available, consistent with the court's 
ruling. The cost of providing power also includes transmission, 
distribution, and operation and maintenance costs attributable to power 
for the pumps. To the extent that the SCIP-JW is able to purchase 
federal preference power in excess of what is needed for SCIP-JW pumps, 
that power is made available to serve the Power Division's customers. 
Any benefit to those customers from preference power has no effect on 
the cost of power for Project pumps.

How does BIA respond to concerns about why SCIP-JW must pay for 
environmental and archaeological surveys with O&M monies?

    The environmental and archaeological studies being conducted are 
valid O&M costs.

Did the BIA receive comments on any proposed changes other than rate 
adjustments?

    No.

Does this notice affect me?

    This notice affects you if you own or lease land within the 
assessable acreage of one of our irrigation projects, or you have a 
carriage agreement with one of our irrigation projects.

Where can I get information on the regulatory and legal citations in 
this notice?

    You can contact the appropriate office(s) stated in the tables for 
the irrigation project that serves you, or you can use the Internet 
site for the Government Printing Office at http://www.gpo.gov.

What authorizes you to issue this notice?

    Our authority to issue this notice is vested in the Secretary of 
the Interior by 5 U.S.C. 301 and the Act of August 14, 1914 (38 Stat. 
583; 25 U.S.C. 385). The Secretary has in turn delegated this authority 
to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs under Part 209, Chapter 
8.1A, of the Department of the Interior's Departmental Manual.

Who can I contact for further information?

    The following tables are the regional and project/agency contacts 
for our irrigation facilities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Project name                   Project/Agency contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Northwest Region Contacts
 
                   Stanley Speaks, Regional Director,
   Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911 N.E. 11th
                                 Avenue,
                      Portland, Oregon 97232-4169,
                        Telephone: (503) 231-6702
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Irrigation Project............  Ernest T. Moran,
                                          Superintendent, Flathead
                                          Agency Irrigation Division, PO
                                          Box 40, Pablo, Montana 59855-
                                          0040, Telephone: (406) 675-
                                          2700
Fort Hall Irrigation Project...........  Eric J. LaPointe,
                                          Superintendent, Fort Hall
                                          Agency, PO Box 220, Fort Hall,
                                          Idaho 83203-0220, Telephone:
                                          (208) 238-2301
Wapato Irrigation Project..............  Pierce Harrison, Project,
                                          Administrator, Wapato
                                          Irrigation Project, PO Box
                                          220, Wapato, WA 98951-0220,
                                          Telephone: (509) 877-3155
----------------------------------------
                     Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
 
                   Keith Beartusk, Regional Director,
        Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional Office,
                         316 North 26th Street,
                        Billings, Montana 59101,
                        Telephone: (406) 247-7943
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackfeet Irrigation Project...........  Ross Denny, Superintendent, Ted
                                          Hall, Project Manager, Box
                                          880, Browning, MT 59417,
                                          Telephones: (406) 338-7544,
                                          Superintendent, (406) 338-
                                          7519, Irrigation
Crow Irrigation Project................  Ed Lone Fight, Superintendent,
                                          Jim Forseth, Acting Project
                                          Engineer, PO Box 69, Crow
                                          Agency, MT 59022, Telephones:
                                          (406) 638-2672,
                                          Superintendent, (406) 638-
                                          2863, Irrigation

[[Page 45743]]

 
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project........  Judy Gray, Acting
                                          Superintendent, Grant Stafne,
                                          Acting Irrigation Manager,
                                          R.R.1, Box 980, Harlem, MT
                                          59526, Telephones: (406) 353-
                                          2901, Superintendent, (406)
                                          353-2905, Irrigation
Fort Peck Irrigation Project...........  Spike Bighorn, Superintendent,
                                          PO Box 637 Poplar, MT 59255,
                                          Huber Wright, Acting
                                          Irrigation Manager, 602 6th
                                          Avenue North, Wolf Point, MT
                                          59201, Telephones: (406) 768-
                                          5312, Superintendent, (406)
                                          653-1752, Irrigation
Wind River Irrigation Project..........  George Gover, Superintendent,
                                          Ray Nation, Acting Irrigation
                                          Manager, PO Box 158, Fort
                                          Washakie, WY 82514,
                                          Telephones: (307) 332-7810,
                                          Superintendent, (307) 332-
                                          2596, Irrigation
----------------------------------------
                        Southwest Region Contacts
                    Larry Morrin, Regional Director,
          Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office,
                        1001 Indian School Road,
                     Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104,
                        Telephone: (505) 563-3100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pine River Irrigation Project..........  Diana Olguin, Acting
                                          Superintendent, John Formea,
                                          Irrigation Engineer, PO Box
                                          315, Ignacio, CO 81137-0315,
                                          Telephones: (970) 563-4511,
                                          Superintendent, (970) 563-
                                          1017, Irrigation
----------------------------------------
                         Western Region Contacts
                 Brian Bowker, Acting Regional Director,
           Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Regional Office,
                               PO Box 10,
                         Phoenix, Arizona 85001,
                        Telephone: (602) 379-6600
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River Irrigation Project......  Rodney McVey, Acting
                                          Superintendent, R.R. 1 Box 9-
                                          C, Parker, AZ 85344,
                                          Telephone: (928) 669-7111
----------------------------------------
Duck Valley Irrigation Project.........  Virgil Towndsen,
                                          Superintendent, 1555 Shoshone
                                          Circle, Elko, Nevada 89801,
                                          Telephone: (775) 738-0569
Fort Yuma Irrigation Project...........  William Pyott, Land Operations
                                          Officer, P.O. Box 11000, Yuma,
                                          Arizona, Telephone: (520) 782-
                                          1202
San Carlos Irrigation Project Joint      Carl Christensen, Supervisory
 Works.                                   General Engineer, 13805 N.
                                          Arizona Boulevard, Coolidge,
                                          AZ 85228, Telephone: (520) 723-
                                          6216
San Carlos Irrigation Project Indian     Joe Revak, Supervisory General
 Works.                                   Engineer, Pima Agency, Land
                                          Operations, Box 8, Sacaton, AZ
                                          85247, Telephone: (520) 562-
                                          3372
Uintah Irrigation Project..............  Lynn Hansen, Irrigation
                                          Manager, PO Box 130, Fort
                                          Duchesne, UT 84026, Telephone:
                                          (435) 722-4341
Walker River Irrigation Project........  Robert Hunter, Superintendent,
                                          1677 Hot Springs Road, Carson
                                          City, Nevada 89706, Telephone:
                                          (775) 887-3500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Will BIA Charge for the 2005 and Later Irrigation Seasons?

    The rate tables below show the rates we will bill at each of our 
irrigation facilities for the 2005 irrigation seasons. An asterisk 
immediately following the name of the facilities notes the irrigation 
facilities where rates were adjusted.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Current      Current
                 Project name                                Rate category               2004 rate    2005 rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flathead Irrigation Project...................  Basic per acre........................       $21.45       $21.45
Flat Hall Irrigation Project..................  Basic per acre........................        22.00        22.00
Fort Hall Irrigation Project Minor Units......  Basic per acre........................        14.00        14.00
Fort Hall Irrigation Project *, Michaud.......  Basic per acre........................        30.00        30.00
                                                Pressure per acre.....................        43.50        46.50
Wapato Irrigation Project, Simcoe Units.......  Billing Charge Per Tract..............         5.00         5.00
                                                Farm unit/land tracts up to one acre          13.00        13.00
                                                 (minimum charge).
                                                Farm unit/land tracts over one acre--         13.00        13.00
                                                 per acre.
Wapato Irrigation Project, Ahtanum Units......  Billing Charge Per Tract..............         5.00         5.00
                                                Farm unit/land tracts up to one acre          13.00        13.00
                                                 (minimum charge).
                                                Farm unit/land tracts over one acre--         13.00        13.00
                                                 per acre.
Wapato Irrigation Project, Satus Unit.........  Billing Charge Per Tract..............         5.00         5.00
                                                Farm unit/land tracts up to one acre          51.00        51.00
                                                 (minimum charge).
                                                ``A'' farm unit/land tracts over one          51.00        51.00
                                                 acre--per acre.
                                                Additional Works farm unit/land tracts        56.00        56.00
                                                 over one acre--per acre.
                                                ``B'' farm unit/land tracts over one          61.00        61.00
                                                 acre--per acre.

[[Page 45744]]

 
                                                Water Rental Agreement Lands--per acre        62.00        62.00
-----------------------------------------------
                                        Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackfeet Irrigation Project..................  Basic-per acre........................       $13.00       $13.00
Crow Irrigation Project.......................  Basic-per acre........................        16.00        16.00
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project...............  Indian per acre.......................         7.75         7.75
                                                non-Indian per acre...................        15.50        15.50
Fort Peck Irrigation Project *................  Basic-per acre........................        14.00        17.50
Wind River Irrigation Project.................  Basic-per acre........................        14.00        14.00
-----------------------------------------------
                                           Southwest Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pine River Irrigation Project.................  Minimum Charge per tract..............       $25.00       $25.00
                                                Basic-per acre........................         8.50         8.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Current      Current
            Project name                   Rate category        2004 rate    2005 rate      Current 2006 rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Western Region Rate Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River Irrigation Project...  Basic per acre up to          $47.00       $47.00  To Be Determined
                                       5.75 acre-feet.
                                      Excess Water per acre-         17.00        17.00  .......................
                                       foot over 5.75 acre-
                                       feet.
Duck Valley Irrigation Project......  Basic-per acre.........         5.30         5.30  .......................
Fort Yuma Irrigation Project (See     Basic-per acre up to           62.00        65.00  .......................
 Note 1).                     5.0 acre-feet.
                                      Excess Water per acre-         10.50        10.50  .......................
                                       foot over 5.0 acre-
                                       feet.
San Carlos Irrigation Project (Joint  Basic-per acre.........        20.00        30.00  $30.00
 Works) * (See Note 2).
San Carlos Irrigation Project         Basic-per acre.........        56.00        77.00  To Be Determined
 (Indian Works) *.
Uintah Irrigation Project *.........  Basic-per acre.........        11.00        11.00  .......................
                                      Minimum Bill...........        10.00        25.00
Walker River Irrigation Project.....  Indian per acre........         7.32         7.32  .......................
                                      non-Indian per acre....        15.29        15.29  .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Notes irrigation facilities rates were adjusted.
Note 1--The Fort Yuma Irrigation Project is owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation
  (Reclamation). The irrigation rates assessed for operation and maintenance are established by Reclamation and
  are provided for informational purposes only. The BIA collects the irrigation assessments on behalf of
  Reclamation.
Note 2--The 2006 irrigation rate of $30 per acre is established through this notice.

Consultation and Coordination With Tribal Governments (Executive Order 
13175)

    The BIA irrigation projects are vital components of the local 
agriculture economy of the reservations on which they are located. To 
fulfill its responsibilities to the tribes, tribal organizations, water 
user organizations, and the individual water users, the BIA 
communicates, coordinates, and consults on a continuing basis with 
these entities on issues of water delivery, water availability, costs 
of administration, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation. This is 
accomplished at the individual irrigation projects by Project, Agency, 
and Regional representatives, as appropriate, in accordance with local 
protocol and procedures. This notice is one component of the BIA's 
overall coordination and consultation process to provide notice and 
request comments from these entities on adjusting our irrigation rates.

Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211)

    The rate adjustments will have no adverse effects on energy supply, 
distribution, or use (including a shortfall in supply, price increases, 
and increased use of foreign supplies) should the proposed rate 
adjustments be implemented. This is a notice for rate adjustments at 
BIA owned and operated irrigation projects, except for the Fort Yuma 
Irrigation Project. The Fort Yuma Irrigation Project is owned and 
operated by the Bureau of Reclamation with a portion serving the Fort 
Yuma Reservation.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)

    These rate adjustments are not a significant regulatory action and 
do not need to be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under 
Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rate making is not a rule for the purposes of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act because it is ``a rule of particular applicability 
relating to rates.'' 5 U.S.C. 601(2).

Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995

    These rate adjustments impose no unfunded mandates on any 
governmental or private entity and are in compliance with the 
provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995.

Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not 
have significant ``takings'' implications. The rate adjustments do not 
deprive the public, state, or local governments of rights or property.

[[Page 45745]]

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not 
have significant Federalism effects because they pertain solely to 
Federal-tribal relations and will not interfere with the roles, rights, 
and responsibilities of states.

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the Office of the 
Solicitor has determined that this rule does not unduly burden the 
judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of the Order.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    These rate adjustments do not affect the collections of information 
which have been approved by the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number is 1076-0141 and expires April 30, 
2006.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Department has determined that these rate adjustments do not 
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment and that no detailed statement is required 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370(d)).

    Dated: July 29, 2005.
Michael D. Olsen,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-15575 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P