[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 225 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70365-70367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27614]


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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 and are new, modified, 
discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this notice on 
August 12, 2008. 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: Michelle Kelly, Water and 
Environmental Resources Office, Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 25007, 
Denver, Colorado 80225-0007; telephone 303-445-2888.

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.

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
CFS--Cubic foot (feet) per second
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
RRA--Reclamation Reform Act of 1982
SOD--Safety of Dams
SRPA--Small Reclamation Projects Act of 1956
USACE--U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
WD--Water District

[[Page 70366]]

    Pacific Northwest Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis 
Road, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234, telephone 208-378-5344.

New Contract Actions

    14. Idaho Water Resource Board, Palisades Project, Idaho: 
Assignment of repayment contract for 5,000 acre-feet of storage space 
in Palisades Reservoir from the F.M.C. Corporation to provide water to 
help mitigate the effects of ground water withdrawal and drought on the 
Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer.
    15. State of Washington, Columbia Basin Project, Washington: Long-
term contract for up to 5,000 acre-feet of water for M&I purposes.
    Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-978-5250.

New Contract Action

    36. California State Department of Water Resources: Reclamation is 
working with the Department to develop a 2009 Drought Water Bank to 
facilitate water transfers from willing sellers to willing buyers to 
assist with the anticipated drought in 2009.

Modified Contract Action

    35. Cawelo WD, CVP, California: Long-term Warren Act contract for 
conveying up to 20,000 acre-feet of nonproject water (exchanged banked 
groundwater) via the Friant-Kern Canal for M&I purposes.
    Lower Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 61470 (Nevada 
Highway and Park Street), Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470, telephone 
702-293-8192.

New Contract Actions

    26. Basic Water Company, BCP, Nevada: Approve the assignment and 
transfer of 400 acre-feet per year of Colorado River water from Basic's 
contract to the Southern Nevada Water Authority's contract.
    27. Basic Water Company, BCP, Nevada: Amend Basic's contract to 
conform to the assignment and transfer of 400 acre-feet per year of 
Colorado River water from Basic's contract to the Southern Nevada Water 
Authority's contract.
    28. Southern Nevada Water Authority, BCP, Nevada: Amend contract to 
conform to the assignment and transfer of 400 acre-feet per year of 
Colorado River water from Basic Water Company's contract to Southern 
Nevada Water Authority's contract.
    29. Metropolitan WD of Southern California, San Diego County Water 
Authority, Otay WD; California: Amendment to extend by 5 years to 
November 9, 2013, an agreement for temporary emergency delivery of a 
portion of the Mexican Treaty Waters of the Colorado River to the 
International Boundary in the vicinity of Tijuana, Baja California, 
Mexico, and for the operation of facilities in the United States.
    30. Hillcrest Water Company, BCP, Arizona: Amend contract to 
exclude lands occupied by Springs del Sol Domestic Water Improvement 
District.

Modified Contract Actions

    17. Mohave County Water Authority, Springs del Sol Domestic Water 
Improvement District, La Paz County; BCP; Arizona: Approval of 
assignment and transfers of 300 acre-feet of Mohave County's fourth-
priority water entitlement from Mohave County to Springs del Sol (50 
acre-feet) and La Paz County (250 acre-feet).
    19. Hopi Tribe, Springs del Sol Domestic Water Improvement 
District, La Paz County; BCP; Arizona: Approval of assignment and 
transfers of 300 acre-feet of fourth-priority water entitlement from 
the Hopi Tribe to Springs del Sol (50 acre-feet) and La Paz County (250 
acre-feet).
    23. La Paz County, BCP; Arizona: Enter into a new contract for 100 
acre-feet per year of fourth-priority water and Amendment No. 1 to add 
400 acre-feet that is being assigned to La Paz County by the Mohave 
County Water Authority (250 acre-feet) and by the Hopi Tribe (250 acre-
feet).

Discontinued Contract Actions

    12. Basic Management, Inc., BCP, Nevada: Amend contract to add 
additional service areas where part of the contractor's entitlement can 
be used.
    21. Ehrenberg Improvement Association on behalf of B&F Investment, 
BCP, Arizona: Amend contract to increase Ehrenberg's fourth-priority 
water entitlement by 100 acre-feet per year being assigned to B&F from 
the Mohave County Water Authority (50 acre-feet) and from the Hopi 
Tribe (50 acre-feet).

Completed Contract Actions

    17. Mohave County Water Authority, Springs del Sol Domestic Water 
Improvement District, La Paz County; BCP; Arizona: Approval of 
assignment and transfers of 300 acre-feet of Mohave County's fourth-
priority water entitlement from Mohave County to Springs del Sol (50 
acre-feet) and La Paz County (250 acre-feet). Contracts executed on 
June 9, 2008, and June 10, 2008.
    18. Mohave County Water Authority, BCP, Arizona: Amend contract to 
decrease the Authority's fourth-priority water entitlement by 300 acre-
feet per year (La Paz County Option). Contracts executed on June 9, 
2008, and June 10, 2008.
    19. Hopi Tribe, Springs del Sol Domestic Water Improvement 
District, La Paz County; BCP; Arizona: Approval of assignment and 
transfers of 300 acre-feet of fourth-priority water entitlement from 
the Hopi Tribe to Springs del Sol (50 acre-feet) and La Paz County (250 
acre-feet). Contracts executed on June 9, 2008, and June 10, 2008.
    20. Hopi Tribe, BCP, Arizona: Amend contract to decrease the Hopi 
Tribe's fourth-priority water entitlement by 300 acre-feet per year (La 
Paz County Option). Contracts executed on June 9, 2008, and June 10, 
2008.
    22. Springs del Sol Domestic Water Improvement District (Springs 
del Sol), BCP, Arizona: Enter into a new contract with Springs del Sol 
for 100 acre-feet per year of fourth-priority water being assigned to 
Springs del Sol from the Mohave County Water Authority (50 acre-feet) 
and the Hopi Tribe (50 acre-feet). Contract executed on June 9, 2008.
    23. La Paz County, BCP, Arizona: Enter into a new contract for 100 
acre-feet per year of fourth-priority water and Amendment No. 1 to add 
400 acre-feet that is being assigned to La Paz County by the Mohave 
County Water Authority (250 acre-feet) and by the Hopi Tribe (250 acre-
feet). Contract and amendment executed on June 10, 2008.
    24. Cibola Valley IDD, BCP, Arizona: Amend contract to decrease the 
district's fourth-priority water entitlement by 2,700 acre-feet per 
year that is being assigned from the district to Arizona Recreational 
Facilities, LLC. Contract executed on September 4, 2008.
    25. Arizona Recreational Facilities, LLC, BCP; Arizona: Enter into 
a new contract with Arizona Recreational Facilities for 2,700 acre-feet 
per year of fourth-priority Colorado River water that is being assigned 
to them from the Cibola Valley IDD. Contract executed on September 4, 
2008.
    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.(i) Michael R. Pelletier, Aspinall Storage Unit, CRSP: Mr. 
Pelletier has requested a 40-year water service contract for 1 acre-
foot of M&I water out of the Blue Mesa Reservoir which requires Mr. 
Pelletier to present a Plan

[[Page 70367]]

of Augmentation to the Division 4 Water Court.
    34. Bridger Valley Water Conservancy District, Lyman Project, 
Wyoming: The district has requested that their Meeks Cabin repayment 
contract be amended from two 25 year contacts to one 40 year contract.
    35. Glen, Michael D., and Tambra Spencer; Mancos Project; Colorado: 
The parties have requested a new carriage contract to replace existing 
contract No. 02-WC-40-8290. Existing carriage contract is for 1 cfs of 
nonproject water to be carried through Mancos Project facilities. The 
new contract will add 2 cfs to the existing quantity for a total of 3 
cfs.

Discontinued Contract Actions

    31. Strawberry High Line Canal Company, Strawberry Valley Project, 
Utah: The company has requested a contract for carriage of nonproject 
water in project canals.
    32. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Metropolitan WD of 
Salt Lake and Sandy, and others; Provo River Project; Utah: The 
entities have requested contracts for storage of nonproject water in 
Deer Creek Reservoir.

Completed Contract Actions

    18. The Grand Valley Water Users Association, Reclamation, and U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service: Construction and O&M of a fish passage and 
fish screen facilities at the Grand Valley Diversion Dam and Government 
Highline Canal Facilities to facilitate recovery of endangered fish 
species in the Colorado River Basin (October 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1602, 
Pub. L. 106-392). Contract was executed June 3, 2008.
    22. Warren-Vosburg Ditch Company, Animas-La Plata Project, Colorado 
and New Mexico: Contract for payment of O&M costs associated with the 
Warren-Vosburg ditch. Contract was executed March 26, 2008.
    Great Plains Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 36900, Federal 
Building, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59101, telephone 
406-247-7752.

New Contract Actions

    43. Helena Sand & Gravel; Helena Valley Unit, P-SMBP; Montana: 
Request for a long-term water service contract for M&I purposes for up 
to 1,000 acre-feet of water per year.
    44. City of Cheyenne, Kendrick Project, Wyoming: The City of 
Cheyenne has requested an amendment to its water storage contract to 
increase the storage entitlement to 15,700 acre-feet of storage space 
in Seminoe Reservoir.
    45. Central Nebraska Public Power and ID; Glendo Unit, P-SMBP; 
Nebraska: Request to amend current water service contract.

Modified Contract Actions

    8. Savage ID, P-SMBP, Montana: The district is currently seeking 
title transfer. The contract is subject to renewal pending outcome of 
the title transfer process. The existing interim contract expired in 
May 2008. A 5-year interim contract was offered to district on June 28, 
2008.
    14. Northern Integrated Supply Project, Colorado-Big Thompson 
Project, Colorado: Consideration of a new long-term contract with 
approximately 15 regional water suppliers and the Northern Colorado 
Water Conservancy District for the Northern Integrated Supply Project.
    28. Glendo Unit, P-SMBP, Nebraska: Contract renewal for long-term 
water service contracts with Bridgeport, Enterprise, and Mitchell IDs.

Completed Contract Actions

    5. Highland-Hanover ID; Hanover-Bluff Unit, P-SMBP; Wyoming: 
Execute long-term water service contract. Contract was executed June 
13, 2008.
    6. Upper Bluff ID; Hanover-Bluff Unit, P-SMBP; Wyoming: Execute 
long-term water service contract. Contract was executed June 13, 2008.
    38. Treeline Springs, LLC., Canyon Ferry Unit, Montana: Request for 
water service contract for up to 620 acre-feet of water per year for 
replacement of water for senior water rights. Contract was executed 
June 19, 2008.

    Dated: October 22, 2008.
Roseann Gonzales,
Director, Policy and Program Services, Denver Office.
[FR Doc. E8-27614 Filed 11-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P