[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31205-31206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8352]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[FES-06-10]


Carlsbad Project, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability for the Carlsbad Project Water 
Operations and Water Supply Conservation Final Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the New Mexico 
Interstate Stream Commission, as joint lead agencies, have prepared and 
made available to the public a final environmental impact statement 
(FEIS) pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 United States Code 4332.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS are available for public inspection and 
review at the following locations:
     Albuquerque Main Library, 501 Copper NW, Albuquerque, New 
Mexico 87102.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 555 
Broadway NE, Suite 100, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102.
     Carlsbad Irrigation District, 201 South Canal Street, 
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220.
    The FEIS is also available on the Internet at the following Web 
address: http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/envdocs/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Marsha Carra, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 555 Broadway NE, Suite 100, 
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102; telephone (505) 462-3602; facsimile 
(505) 462-3780; e-mail: [email protected] or Ms. Coleman Smith, New 
Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, P.O. Box 25102, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico 87504; telephone (505) 476-0551; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Carlsbad Project Water Operations and 
Water Supply Conservation FEIS describes the potential effects of 
proposed changes in the operation of Sumner Dam and the implementation 
of a water acquisition program in the Pecos River Basin. The FEIS 
includes a description of alternative means of implementing the 
proposed Federal action and presents an evaluation of the 
environmental, economic, and social consequences that could result from 
implementing these alternatives.

[[Page 31206]]

    Proposed changes in water operations are designed to avoid the 
likelihood of jeopardy to the Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus 
pecosensis) (shiner) and its designated critical habitat. The water 
acquisition program is proposed to conserve the Carlsbad Project water 
supply.

Background

    In 1987, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) listed the 
shiner, a small minnow, as a threatened species and designated two 
noncontiguous river reaches, totaling approximately 101 miles of the 
Pecos River, as critical habitat (52 FR 5295-5303). According to the 
Service, the shiner has undergone significant population declines and 
range contraction in the last 65 years and is now restricted to about 
194 miles from Fort Sumner State Park to Brantley Reservoir.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of Reclamation's proposed federal action is to protect 
the Pecos bluntnose shiner and to conserve the Carlsbad Project water 
supply. The proposed action is consistent with Reclamation's Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) compliance activities and will help conserve the 
Carlsbad Project water supply for authorized purposes.
    Through the chosen federal action alternative, Reclamation would 
ensure that any discretionary action it authorizes, funds, or carries 
out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed 
species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat. Reclamation would continue to participate in 
interagency actions to protect federally-listed species and designated 
critical habitats, within its legal and discretionary authority.
    Reclamation is proposing changes in operations of the Carlsbad 
Project that benefit the shiner under its existing authorities and are 
consistent with its ESA section 7(a) (1) obligation to conserve and 
protect listed species. Within the exercise of its discretionary 
authority, Reclamation must avoid jeopardizing the continued existence 
of the shiner or destroying or adversely modifying designated critical 
habitat (ESA section 7(a)(2)).
    Reclamation has also elected to keep the Carlsbad Project water 
supply whole. Conserving the Carlsbad Project water supply means that 
Reclamation would deliver water to the project sufficient to meet all 
project purposes, when available. Without an accompanying program to 
acquire and provide water, changes to historical operations would cause 
reductions to the Carlsbad Project water supply.

Proposed Federal Action

    Reclamation has designated the Taiban Constant Alternative as the 
preferred alternative. Under this alternative, Reclamation proposes to 
operate the Carlsbad Project to (1) divert to storage when flows at the 
Taiban gage are greater than 35 cfs and (2) deliver from storage 
Carlsbad Project water as contracted for irrigation, consistent with 
applicable federal and state laws and contracts. This alternative best 
meets the purpose of and need for the proposed action.
    The Carlsbad Project Water Operations and Water Supply Conservation 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was issued in September 
2005, and a Notice of Availability of the DEIS was published in the 
Federal Register on September 1, 2005. The 60-day review and comment 
period for the DEIS ended on October 31, 2005. During the comment 
period, four public meetings were held and 25 formal comments were 
received. All comments were carefully reviewed and considered in 
preparing the FEIS. Where appropriate, revisions were made to the 
document in response to specific comments. The comments and responses, 
together with the final environmental impact statement, will be 
considered in determining whether or not to implement the proposed 
action.
    No decision will be made on the proposed federal action until 30 
days after release of the FEIS. After the 30-day waiting period, 
Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision. The Record of Decision 
will state the action that will be implemented and discuss all factors 
leading to that decision.

     Dated: May 23, 2006.
Dave Sabo,
Assistant Regional Director--UC Region, Bureau of Reclamation.
[FR Doc. E6-8352 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P