[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59771-59772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16113]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact for Management of Federal Grazing 
Leases at the Falcon Dam and Reservoir, Starr and Zapata Counties, 
Texas

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The USIBWC hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental 
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for 
Management of Federal Grazing Leases at the Falcon Dam and Reservoir, 
Starr and Zapata Counties, Texas is available.

ADDRESSES: The electronic version of the Final EA and FONSI is 
available at the USIBWC web page: https://www.ibwc.gov/reports-studies/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Howe, Cultural Resources 
Specialist, USIBWC, El Paso, Texas 79902. Telephone: (915) 832-4767, 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USIBWC is updating or eliminating active 
and inactive grazing leases in use for commercial, residential, or 
recreational purposes on federal land in the Falcon Project (i.e., 
Falcon Dam and Reservoir). Rights-of-way for the Falcon Project totaled 
63,192 acres on the U.S. side of the Falcon Project as of 2000. This 
project will assist USIBWC in determining if grazing leases should be 
allowed or discontinued and/or whether land management alternatives 
should be established in lieu of grazing.
    The grazing lease program has continued for areas along the Falcon 
Reservoir that were originally ranches and farms before the land was 
acquired by the Federal Government pursuant to the Water Treaty of 1944 
between the U.S. and Mexico, with construction of the Falcon Project 
completed on October 19, 1953. The grazing lease program assured those 
areas not under water or flooded and owned by the Federal Government 
would be economically used as they were in the past by the local 
community. Initially leases allowed for agricultural uses in addition 
to grazing, but agricultural activities and any clearing of leased 
lands were later restricted to reduce potential impacts on cultural 
resources in accordance with National Historic Preservation Act 
requirements. Active leases currently only allow grazing activities.
    Grazing leases, licenses, and permits consist of any written permit 
or other legal document for an individual, corporation, etc., to use 
and improve land owned by the U.S. Government under the jurisdiction of 
the USIBWC at Falcon Reservoir. In the past, 22,270.57 acres of land 
were under 159 active grazing leases originally issued in 1956. As of 
2020, there were 117 active grazing leases with many that are still 
held by the descendants of the original permittees and/or stakeholders.

[[Page 59772]]

    The purpose for the Proposed Action is to successfully manage 
Federal land in the Falcon Project. Federal lands associated with the 
Falcon Project have been utilized by the public for various activities, 
including grazing leases, since the Falcon Project was established. 
However, the economic value of these leases and the challenges to 
successful land management require a reevaluation of the grazing lease 
program. The need is to implement land management alternatives to 
grazing leases that address low grazing lease values, limited access by 
USIBWC to leased lands, and unauthorized activities on leased lands.
    Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations, and the USIBWC Operational Procedures for Implementing 
Section 102 of NEPA, published in the Federal Register September 2, 
1981, USIBWC developed a Draft EA in November 2023 that analyzed eight 
alternatives for modifying the grazing lease program at the Falcon 
Project, including the No Action Alternative. Alternative 1--No Action 
Alternative, is a requirement of the NEPA process and is included to 
provide a baseline against which the other alternatives can be 
evaluated. The action alternatives include: Alternative 2--Terminate 
Leases, Alternative 3--Change Rental Rates on Active Leases and 
Implement Improved Program Management, Alternative 4--Allow Hunting on 
Existing Grazing Leases, Alternative 5--Terminate Leases Not Directly 
Accessible from Public Rights-of-Way, Alternative 6--Negotiate Access 
Easements on Private Property for Existing Leases, Alternative 7--Amend 
Leases to Allow Vegetation Management, and Alternative 8--Form a 
Citizens' Committee to Provide Lease Management Support.
    In May 2024, the USIBWC prepared a Final EA and FONSI and 
determined that one or any combination of Alternatives 2 through 8 
could be implemented to manage the grazing lease program at the Falcon 
Project. Details of the implementation of alternatives to manage the 
grazing lease program would be determined by the USIBWC Realty 
Division. All active leases would not be terminated simultaneously. The 
entire lease program would not be terminated. Grazing Lease actions 
could include termination of any leases, change of rental rates on 
active leases, hunting on existing leases, terminate non-accessible 
leases, allow vegetation management, and form a citizen's committee.
    Potential impacts on natural, cultural, and other resources were 
evaluated. A Finding of No Significant Impact for one or any 
combination of Alternatives 2 through 8 has been prepared and signed 
based on a review of the facts and analyses contained in the EA. An 
environmental impact statement will not be prepared unless additional 
information which may affect this decision is brought to our attention 
within 30 days from the date of this Notice.

    Dated: July 11, 2024.
Jennifer Pena,
Chief Legal Counsel, International Boundary and Water Commission, 
United States Section.
[FR Doc. 2024-16113 Filed 7-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010-01-P