[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105090-105095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30743]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[256A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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[[Page 105091]]
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns or has an interest in
irrigation projects located on or associated with various Indian
reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish
irrigation assessment rates to recover the costs to administer,
operate, maintain, and rehabilitate these projects. We request your
comments on the proposed rate adjustments.
DATES: Interested parties may submit comments on the proposed rate
adjustments on or before February 24, 2025.
ADDRESSES: All comments on the proposed rate adjustments must be in
writing. You may send comments via email to [email protected]. Please
reference ``Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects'' in the
subject line. Or you may submit comments to the Program Specialist,
Division of Water and Power, Office of Trust Services, 2021 4th Avenue
North, Billings, Montana 59101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Underwood, Program Specialist,
Division of Water and Power, Office of Trust Services, (406) 657-5985.
For details about a particular irrigation project, please use the table
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to contact the BIA regional or
local office where the project is located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The first table in this notice provides
contact information for individuals who can give further information
about the irrigation projects covered by this notice. The second table
provides the proposed rates for calendar year (CY) 2026 for all
irrigation projects.
What is the meaning of the key terms used in this notice?
In this notice:
Administrative costs mean all costs we incur to administer our
irrigation projects at the local project level and are a cost factor
included in calculating your operation and maintenance assessment.
Costs incurred at the local project level do not normally include
agency, region, or central office costs unless we state otherwise in
writing.
Assessable acre means lands designated by us to be served by one of
our irrigation projects, for which we collect assessments in order to
recover costs for the provision of irrigation service. (See also
``total assessable acres.'')
BIA means the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Bill means our statement to you of the assessment charges and/or
fees you owe the United States for administration, operation,
maintenance, and/or rehabilitation. The date we mail or hand-deliver
your bill will be stated on it.
Costs means the costs we incur for administration, operation,
maintenance, and rehabilitation to provide direct support or benefit to
an irrigation facility. (See administrative costs, operation costs,
maintenance costs, and rehabilitation costs).
Customer means any person or entity to whom or to which we provide
irrigation service.
Due date is the date on which your bill is due and payable. This
date will be stated on your bill.
I, me, my, you and your mean all persons or entities that are
affected by this notice.
Irrigation project means a facility or portion thereof for the
delivery, diversion, and storage of irrigation water that we own or
have an interest in, including all appurtenant works. The term
``irrigation project'' is used interchangeably with irrigation
facility, irrigation system, and irrigation area.
Irrigation service means the full range of services we provide
customers of our irrigation projects. This includes our activities to
administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate our projects in order
to deliver water.
Maintenance costs means costs we incur to maintain and repair our
irrigation projects and associated equipment and is a cost factor
included in calculating your operation and maintenance assessment.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) assessment means the periodic
charge you must pay us to reimburse costs of administering, operating,
maintaining, and rehabilitating irrigation projects consistent with
this notice and our supporting policies, manuals, and handbooks.
Operation or operating costs means costs we incur to operate our
irrigation projects and equipment and is a cost factor included in
calculating your O&M assessment.
Past due bill means a bill that has not been paid by the close of
business on the 30th day after the due date as stated on the bill.
Beginning on the 31st day after the due date, we begin assessing
additional charges accruing from the due date.
Rehabilitation costs means costs we incur to restore our irrigation
projects or features to original operating condition or to the nearest
state which can be achieved using current technology and is a cost
factor included in calculating your O&M assessment.
Responsible party means an individual or entity that owns or leases
land within the assessable acreage of one of our irrigation projects
and is responsible for providing accurate information to our billing
office and paying a bill for an annual irrigation rate assessment.
Total assessable acres mean the total acres served by one of our
irrigation projects.
Water delivery is an activity that is part of the irrigation
service we provide our customers when water is available.
We, us, and our mean the United States Government, the Secretary of
the Interior, the BIA, and all who are authorized to represent us in
matters covered under this notice.
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 if 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) for the irrigation
project that serves you. Please use the table in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section to contact the regional or local office where the
project is located.
Why are you publishing this notice?
We are publishing this notice to inform you that we propose to
adjust our irrigation assessment rates. This notice is published in
accordance with the BIA's regulations governing its operation and
maintenance of irrigation projects, found at 25 CFR part 171. This
regulation provides for the establishment and publication of the
proposed rates for annual irrigation assessments as well as related
information about our irrigation projects.
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.
When will you put the rate adjustments into effect?
We will put the rate adjustments into effect for CY 2026.
How do you calculate irrigation rates?
We calculate annual irrigation assessment rates in accordance with
25
[[Page 105092]]
CFR 171.500 by estimating the annual costs of operation and maintenance
at each of our irrigation projects and then dividing by the total
assessable acres for that particular irrigation project. The result of
this calculation for each project is stated in the rate table in this
notice.
What kinds of expenses do you consider in determining the estimated
annual costs of operation and maintenance?
Consistent with 25 CFR 171.500, these expenses include the
following:
(a) Personnel salary and benefits for the project engineer/manager
and project employees under the project engineer/manager's management
or control;
(b) Materials and supplies;
(c) Vehicle and equipment repairs;
(d) Equipment costs, including lease fees;
(e) Depreciation;
(f) Acquisition costs;
(g) Maintenance of a reserve fund available for contingencies or
emergency costs needed for the reliable operation of the irrigation
facility infrastructure;
(h) Maintenance of a vehicle and heavy equipment replacement fund;
(i) Systematic rehabilitation and replacement of project
facilities;
(j) Contingencies for unknown costs and omitted budget items; and
(k) Other expenses we determine necessary to properly perform the
activities and functions characteristic of an irrigation project.
When should I pay my irrigation assessment?
We will mail or hand deliver your bill notifying you (a) the amount
you owe to the United States; and (b) when such amount is due. If we
mail your bill, we will consider it as being delivered no later than
five (5) business days after the day we mail it. You should pay your
bill by the due date stated on the bill.
What information must I provide for billing purposes?
All responsible parties are required to provide the following
information to the billing office associated with the irrigation
project where you own or lease land within the project's assessable
acreage or to the billing office associated with the irrigation project
with which you have a carriage agreement:
(1) The full legal name of the person or entity responsible for
paying the bill;
(2) An adequate and correct address for mailing or hand delivering
our bill; and
(3) The taxpayer identification number or social security number of
the person or entity responsible for paying the bill.
Why are you collecting my taxpayer identification number or social
security number?
Public Law 104-134, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996,
requires that we collect the taxpayer identification number or social
security number before billing a responsible party and as a condition
to servicing the account.
What happens if I am a responsible party, but I fail to furnish the
information required to the billing office responsible for the
irrigation project within which I own or lease assessable land or for
which I have a carriage agreement?
If you are late paying your bill because of your failure to furnish
the required information listed above, you will be assessed interest
and penalties as provided below, and your failure to provide the
required information will not provide grounds for you to appeal your
bill or any penalties assessed.
What can happen if I do not provide the information required for
billing purposes?
We can refuse to provide you irrigation service.
If I allow my bill to become past due, could this affect my water
delivery?
Yes. 25 CFR 171.545(a) states: ``We will not provide you irrigation
service until: (1) Your bill is paid; or (2) You make arrangement for
payment pursuant to Sec. 171.550 of this part.'' If we do not receive
your payment before the close of business on the 30th day after the due
date stated on your bill, we will send you a past due notice. This past
due notice will have additional information concerning your rights. We
will consider your past due notice as delivered no later than five (5)
business days after the day we mail it. We follow the procedures
provided in 31 CFR 901.2, ``Demand for Payment,'' when demanding
payment of your past due bill.
Are there any additional charges if I am late paying my bill?
Yes. We are required to assess interest, penalties, and
administrative costs on past due bills in accordance with 31 U.S.C.
3717 and 31 CFR 901.9. The rate of interest is established annually by
the Secretary of the United States Treasury (Treasury) and accrues from
the date your bill is past due. If your bill becomes more than 90 days
past due, you will be assessed a penalty charge of no more than six
percent per year, which accrues from the date your bill became past
due. Each time we try to collect your past due bill, you will be
charged an administrative fee of $12.50 for processing and handling.
What else will happen to my past due bill?
If you do not pay your bill or make payment arrangements to which
we agree, we are required to transfer your past due bill to Treasury
for further action. Pursuant to 31 CFR 285.12, bills that are 120 days
past due will be transferred to Treasury.
Who can I contact for further information?
The contact table below contains the regional and project/agency
contacts for our irrigation facilities. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
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Northwest Region Contacts
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Rudy Peone, Acting Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Northwest Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4169.
Telephone: (360) 291-7684.
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Flathead Indian Irrigation Eric Bruguier, Irrigation Project
Project. Manager, 220 Project Drive, St.
Ignatius, MT 59865. Telephone: (406) 745-
2661.
Fort Hall Irrigation Project. David Bollinger, Irrigation Project
Manager, 36 Bannock Avenue, Fort Hall,
ID 83203-0220. Telephone:(208) 238-1992.
Wapato Irrigation Project.... Pete Plant, Project Administrator, 413
South Camas Avenue, Wapato, WA 98951-
0220. Telephone: (509) 877-3155.
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[[Page 105093]]
Rocky Mountain Region Contacts
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Lorna Babby, Acting Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky
Mountain Regional Office, 2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101.
Telephone: (406) 247-7943.
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Blackfeet Irrigation Project. Kenneth Bird, Superintendent, Greg
Tatsey, Irrigation Project Manager, P.O.
Box 880, Browning, MT 59417. Telephones:
Superintendent (406) 338-7544;
Irrigation Project Manager (406) 338-
7519.
Crow Irrigation Project...... Harold ``Jess'' Brien, Superintendent,
Richard Taptto, Acting Irrigation
Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M
performed by Water Users Association),
P.O. Box 69, Crow Agency, MT 59022.
Telephones: Superintendent (406) 638-
2672; Acting Irrigation Project Manager
(406) 698-5631.
Fort Belknap Irrigation Mark Azure, Superintendent, Richard
Project. Taptto, Acting Irrigation Project
Manager (BIA), (Project O&M contracted
to Tribes under PL 93-638),158 Tribal
Way, Suite B, Harlem, MT 59526.
Telephones: Superintendent (406) 353-
2901; Irrigation Project Manager, Tribal
Office (406) 353-8454.
Fort Peck Irrigation Project. Anna Eder, Superintendent, Richard
Taptto, Acting Irrigation Project
Manager (BIA), (Project O&M performed by
Fort Peck Water Users Association), P.O.
Box 637, Poplar, MT 59255. Telephones:
Superintendent (406) 768-5312; Acting
Irrigation Project Manager (406) 698-
5631.
Wind River Irrigation Project Leslie Shakespeare, Superintendent,
Richard Taptto, Acting Irrigation
Project Manager (BIA), (Project O&M for
Little Wind, Johnstown, and Lefthand
Units contracted to Tribes under PL 93-
638; Little Wind-Ray and Upper Wind
Units O&M performed by Ray Canal, A
Canal, and Crowheart Water Users
Associations), P.O. Box 158, Fort
Washakie, WY 82514. Telephones:
Superintendent (307) 332-7810; Acting
Irrigation Project Manager (406) 698-
5631.
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Southwest Region Contacts
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Patricia L. Mattingly, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road NW, Albuquerque, NM
87104. Telephone: (505) 563-3100.
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Pine River Irrigation Project Priscilla Bancroft, Superintendent,
Vickie Begay, Irrigation Project
Manager, P.O. Box 315, Ignacio, CO 81137-
0315. Telephones: Superintendent (970)
563-4511; Irrigation Project Manager
(970) 563-9484.
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Western Region Contacts
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Jessie Durham, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western
Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom,
Phoenix, AZ 85004. Telephone: (480) 535-1552.
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Colorado River Irrigation Davetta Ameelyenah, Superintendent, Gary
Project. Colvin, Irrigation Project Manager,
12124 1st Avenue, Parker, AZ 85344.
Telephones: Superintendent (928) 669-
7111; (928) 662-4392 Irrigation Project
Manager.
Duck Valley Irrigation Jane Jackson-Bear, Superintendent,
Project. (Project O&M compacted to Shoshone-
Paiute Tribes under PL 93-638), 2719
Argent Avenue, Suite 4, Gateway Plaza,
Elko, NV 89801. Telephones:
Superintendent (775) 738-5165; Tribal
Office (208) 759-3100.
Yuma Project, Indian Unit.... Maureen Brown, Superintendent, (Bureau of
Reclamation (BOR) owns the Project and
is responsible for O&M), 256 South
Second Avenue, Suite D, Yuma, AZ 85364.
Telephones: Superintendent (928) 782-
1202; BOR Area Office Manager (928) 343-
8100.
San Carlos Irrigation Project Ferris Begay, Project Manager (BIA),
(Indian Works and Joint Clarence Begay, Supervisory Civil
Works). Engineer (BIA), (Portions of Indian
Works O&M compacted to Gila River Indian
Community under PL 93-638; Joint Control
Board is responsible for portions of
Joint Works maintenance pursuant to Gila
River Indian Community Water Rights
Settlement Act of 2004, 118 Stat. 3499),
13805 North Arizona Boulevard, Coolidge,
AZ 85128. Telephones: Project Manager
(520) 723-6225; Supervisory Civil
Engineer (520) 723-6203; Gila River
Indian Irrigation & Drainage District
(520) 562-6720; Joint Control Board
(520) 562-9760, (520) 723-5408.
Uintah Irrigation Project.... Antonio Pingree, Superintendent, Ken
Asay, Irrigation System Manager (BIA),
(Project O&M performed by Uintah Indian
Irrigation Project Operation and
Maintenance Company), P.O. Box 130, Fort
Duchesne, UT 84026. Telephones:
Superintendent (435) 722-4300;
Irrigation System Manager (435) 722-
4344; Uintah Indian Irrigation Operation
and Maintenance Company (435) 724-5200.
Walker River Irrigation Colleen Labelle, Superintendent, 311 East
Project. Washington Street, Carson City, NV
89701. Telephone: (775) 887-3500.
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What irrigation assessments or charges are proposed for adjustment by
this notice?
The rate table below contains final CY 2025 rates for irrigation
projects where we recover costs of administering, operating,
maintaining, and rehabilitating them. The table also contains proposed
CY 2026 rates for all irrigation projects. An asterisk immediately
following the rate category notes irrigation projects where rates are
proposed for adjustment.
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Final 2025 Proposed 2026
Project name Rate category rate rate
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Northwest Region Rate Table
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Flathead Irrigation Project (See Note #1)..... Basic per acre--A *............. $39.00 $44.00
Basic per acre--B *............. 19.50 22.00
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 75.00 200.00
Fort Hall Irrigation Project.................. Basic per acre *................ 66.50 68.00
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 43.00 44.50
Fort Hall Irrigation Project--Minor Units..... Basic per acre *................ 45.50 46.50
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 43.00 44.50
[[Page 105094]]
Fort Hall Irrigation Project--Michaud Unit.... Basic per acre *................ 75.50 77.50
Pressure per acre *............. 117.00 120.00
Minimum Charge per tract *...... 43.00 44.50
Wapato Irrigation Project--Toppenish/Simcoe Minimum Charge per bill......... 28.00 28.00
Units.
Basic per acre.................. 28.00 28.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Ahtanum Units...... Minimum Charge per bill......... 35.00 35.00
Basic per acre.................. 35.00 35.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Satus Unit......... Minimum Charge per bill......... 100.00 100.00
``A'' Basic per acre............ 86.00 86.00
``B'' Basic per acre............ 92.00 92.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Additional Works... Minimum Charge per bill......... 100.00 100.00
Basic per acre.................. 87.00 87.00
Wapato Irrigation Project--Water Rental....... Minimum Charge per bill......... 100.00 100.00
Basic per acre.................. 100.00 100.00
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Rocky Mountain Region Rate Table
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Blackfeet Irrigation Project.................. Basic-per acre *................ 21.50 22.00
Crow Irrigation Project--Willow Creek O&M Basic-per acre *................ 30.00 34.00
(includes Agency, Lodge Grass #1, Lodge Grass
#2, Reno, Upper Little Horn, and Forty Mile
Units).
Crow Irrigation Project--All Others (includes Basic-per acre *................ 30.00 34.00
Bighorn, Soap Creek, and Pryor Units).
Crow Irrigation Project--Two Leggins Unit..... Basic-per acre *................ 15.00 17.00
Crow Irrigation Two Leggins Drainage District. Basic-per acre *................ 3.00 5.00
Fort Belknap Irrigation Project............... Basic-per acre *................ 20.00 25.00
Fort Peck Irrigation Project.................. Basic-per acre *................ 29.00 35.00
Wind River Irrigation Project--Units 2, 3 and Basic-per acre *................ 26.00 28.00
4.
Wind River Irrigation Project--Unit 6......... Basic-per acre *................ 23.00 28.00
Wind River Irrigation Project--LeClair Basic-per acre.................. 47.00 47.00
District (See Note #2).
Wind River Irrigation Project--Crow Heart Unit Basic-per acre *................ 16.50 17.50
Wind River Irrigation Project--A Canal Unit... Basic-per acre *................ 16.50 17.50
Wind River Irrigation Project--Riverton Valley Basic-per acre.................. 30.65 30.65
Irrigation District (See Note #2).
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Southwest Region Rate Table
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Pine River Irrigation Project................. Minimum Charge per tract........ $75.00 $75.00
Basic-per acre *................ 24.00 24.50
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Western Region Rate Table
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Colorado River Irrigation Project............. Basic per acre up to 5.75 acre- $69.00 $85.00
feet *.
Excess Water per acre-foot over 18.00 18.00
5.75 acre-feet.
Duck Valley Irrigation Project................ Basic per acre *................ 11.00 12.00
Yuma Project, Indian Unit (See Note #3)....... Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre- ( + ) ( + )
feet.
Excess Water per acre-foot over ( + ) ( + )
5.0 acre-feet.
Basic per acre up to 5.0 acre- ( + ) ( + )
feet (Ranch 5).
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San Carlos Irrigation Project (Joint Works) (See Note #4).................................. Basic per acre * $26.00................. $28.00
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Proposed 2026 Construction Water Rate Schedule:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Off Project On Project On Project
Construction............ Construction--......... Construction--
Gravity Water.......... Pump Water
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Administrative Fee...... $300.00................. $300.00................ $300.00
Usage Fee............... $250.00 per month....... No Fee................. $100.00 per acre foot
Excess Water Rate $5.00 per 1,000 gal..... No Charge.............. No Charge
[dagger].
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San Carlos Irrigation Project (Indian Works) Basic per acre *................ $93.85 $98.85
(See Note #5).
Uintah Irrigation Project..................... Basic per acre.................. 25.00 25.00
Minimum Bill.................... 25.00 25.00
Walker River Irrigation Project............... Basic per acre.................. 32.00 32.00
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* Notes irrigation projects where rates are adjusted.
+ These rates have not yet been determined.
[dagger] The excess water rate applies to all water used in excess of 50,000 gallons in any one month.
[[Page 105095]]
Note # 1: The Minimum Charge per tract for Flathead Irrigation Project is currently applied to parcels sized
2.00 acres or smaller. Starting in 2026, the Minimum Charge per tract is proposed to apply to parcels sized
4.54 acres or smaller.
Note # 2: O&M rates for LeClair and Riverton Valley Irrigation Districts apply to Trust lands that are serviced
by each irrigation district. The annual O&M rates are based on budgets submitted by LeClair and Riverton
Valley Irrigation Districts, respectively.
Note # 3: The O&M rate for the Yuma Project, Indian Unit has two components. The first component of the O&M rate
is established by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the owner and operator of the Project. BOR's rate, which is
based upon the annual budget submitted by BOR, has not been established for 2025 or 2026. The second component
of the O&M rate is established by BIA to cover administrative costs, which includes billing and collections
for the Project. The final 2025 BIA rate component is $4.50 per acre. The proposed 2026 BIA rate component is
$4.50 per acre.
Note # 4: The Construction Water Rate Schedule identifies fees assessed for use of irrigation water for non-
irrigation purposes.
Note # 5: The O&M rate for the San Carlos Irrigation Project--Indian Works has three components. The first
component is established by BIA San Carlos Irrigation Project--Indian Works, the owner and operator of the
Project; the final 2025 rate is $55.85 per acre, and proposed 2026 rate is $55.85 per acre. The second
component is established by BIA San Carlos Irrigation Project--Joint Works; the final 2025 rate is $26.00 per
acre, and proposed 2026 rate is $28.00 per acre. The third component is established by the San Carlos
Irrigation Project Joint Control Board (comprised of representatives from the Gila River Indian Community and
the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District); the 2025 rate is $12.00 per acre, and 2026 rate is $15.00
per acre.
Consultation and Coordination With Tribal Governments (Executive Order
13175)
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their
right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this
notice under the Department's consultation policy and under the
criteria of Executive Order 13175 and have determined there to be
substantial direct effects on federally recognized Tribes because the
irrigation projects are located on or associated with Indian
reservations. To fulfill its consultation responsibility to Tribes and
Tribal organizations, BIA communicates, coordinates, and consults on a
continuing basis with these entities on issues of water delivery, water
availability, and costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of projects that concern them. This is accomplished at
the individual irrigation project by project, agency, and regional
representatives, as appropriate, in accordance with local protocol and
procedures. This notice is one component of our overall coordination
and consultation process to provide notice to, and request comments
from, these entities when we adjust irrigation assessment rates.
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211)
The proposed rate adjustments are not a significant energy action
under the definition in Executive Order 13211. A statement of energy
effects is not required.
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866), as Amended by
Executive Order 14094)
These proposed 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, as amended by Executive Order
14094.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
These proposed rate adjustments are not a rule for the purposes of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act because they establish ``a rule of
particular applicability relating to rates.'' 5 U.S.C. 601(2).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
These proposed rate adjustments do not impose an unfunded mandate
on State, local, or Tribal governments in the aggregate, or on the
private sector, of more than $130 million per year. They do not have a
significant or unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or
the private sector. Therefore, the Department is not required to
prepare a statement containing the information required by the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Takings (Executive Order 12630)
These proposed rate adjustments do not effect a taking of private
property or otherwise have ``takings'' implications under Executive
Order 12630. The proposed rate adjustments do not deprive the public,
State, or local governments of rights or property.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, these
proposed rate adjustments do not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact
statement because they will not affect the States, the relationship
between the national government and the States, or the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. A
federalism summary impact statement is not required.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
This notice complies with the requirements of Executive Order
12988. Specifically, in issuing this notice, the Department has taken
the necessary steps to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity,
minimize potential litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for
affected conduct as required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These proposed 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 (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The OMB Control Number is 1076-0141
and expires March 31, 2026.
National Environmental Policy Act
The Department has determined that these proposed rate adjustments
do not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment. A detailed statement under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required
because the proposed rate adjustments are of an administrative,
financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature. (For further
information see 43 CFR 46.210(i)). We have also determined that the
proposed rate adjustments would not involve any of the extraordinary
circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require further
analysis under NEPA.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2024-30743 Filed 12-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P