[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 41 (Friday, February 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 11146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3530]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Equus Beds Division of the Wichita Project; Wichita, KS

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to 
prepare an EIS on the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery 
Component of the `Integrated Local Water Supply Plan, Wichita, Kansas' 
(referred to as the `Equus Beds Division'). The purpose of the Equus 
Beds Division is to provide a reliable supply of potable water to meet 
the maximum daily demand within the projected metropolitan area of 
Wichita, Kansas, through 2050 while protecting the Equus Beds aquifer's 
water quality. The proposed action would include the diversion of 100 
million gallons per day (MGD) of above base flow water from the Little 
Arkansas River into the Equus Beds aquifer. The proposed action would 
involve adding a new point of diversion with a proposed new water right 
to be held by the City of Wichita.

DATES: A public scoping notice will be sent out to all interested 
parties to assist in identifying the significant environmental issues 
related to the proposed action. Written comments will be accepted 
through March 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests to be added to the mailing list may be 
submitted to Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma-Texas Area Office, 
Attention: Charles Webster, Environmental Protection Specialist, 5924 
NW 2nd Street, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73127-6514.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Webster, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Telephone: (405) 470-4831. TTY users may dial 
711 to obtain a toll free TTY relay.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reclamation has been authorized to assist in 
the funding of the Equus Beds Division under the authority of Public 
Law 109-299 (October 5, 2006). Public Law 109-299 states: ``The 
Secretary of the Interior may assist in the funding and implementation 
of the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Component which is a 
part of the `Integrated Local Water Supply Plan, Wichita, Kansas' 
(referred to in this section as the `Equus Beds Division') * * * Before 
obligating funds for design or construction under this section, the 
Secretary of the Interior shall work cooperatively with the City of 
Wichita, Kansas, to use, to the extent possible, plans, designs, and 
engineering and environmental analyses that have already been prepared 
by the City for the Equus Beds Division. The Secretary of the Interior 
shall assure that such information is used consistent with applicable 
Federal laws and regulations.''
    The City of Wichita has historically relied on the Equus Beds 
aquifer as a major source of water. In addition to the City, other 
agricultural and industrial users also depend on the aquifer. Over the 
years, this use has exceeded recharge and has resulted in a severe drop 
in the water table which has led to saltwater intrusion into the Equus 
Beds aquifer. The City of Wichita began using more surface water to 
meet water demands in an effort to slow the saltwater intrusion. While 
this change has slowed the saltwater intrusion into the Equus Beds 
aquifer, it has not completely stopped it and the water quality of the 
aquifer continues to be degraded. In an effort to recharge the aquifer 
to prevent further water quality degradation and provide a large volume 
of stored groundwater for future use during drought, the City of 
Wichita is developing the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery 
Component of the Integrated Local Water Supply Plan.
    If you wish to comment, you may mail us your comments as indicated 
under the Addresses section. Before including your name, address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including 
your personal identifying information may be made publicly available at 
any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: February 15, 2008.
Donald E. Moomaw,
Assistant Regional Director, Great Plains Region.
 [FR Doc. E8-3530 Filed 2-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P