[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16602-16603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8780]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Central Utah Project Completion Act; Notice of Availability of
the Record of Decision on the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project
and Daniel Replacement Project Final Environmental Impact Statement
Documenting the Department of the Interior's Approval for the Central
Utah Water Conservancy District To Proceed With the Construction of the
Proposed Action Alternative
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Wasatch County Water Efficiency
Project and Daniel Replacement Project Record of Decision.
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SUMMARY: On March 21, 1997, Patricia J. Beneke, Assistant Secretary--
Water and Science, Department of the Interior, signed the Record of
Decision (ROD) which documents the selection of the Proposed Action
Alternative as presented in the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project
and Daniel Replacement Project (WCWEP and DRP) Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS), INT FES 96-58, filed November 22, 1996, and as
described in the WCWEP Feasibility Study dated January 1997. The ROD
also approves the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD)
proceeding with construction of WCWEP and DRP, in accordance with
statutory and contractual obligations. Construction of WCWEP will
provide a replacement water supply out of water conserved in Wasatch
County, for the water presently being diverted from the Strawberry
River basin. The replacement supply will be delivered by means of the
DRP.
The FEIS for WCWEP and DRP, considered three alternatives to
restore flows in the upper Strawberry River and to provide water and
water conveyance facilities from Jordanelle Reservoir to the existing
Daniel Irrigation Company (DIC) water storage facilities as mandated in
section 303 of the Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA) and a No
Action Alternative. The Department of the Interior (Interior), the Utah
Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation
Commission), and the CUWCD served as the Joint Lead Agencies in the
preparation of the NEPA compliance documents.
In addition to satisfying the requirements and authorizations of
CUPCA, the construction of the WCWEP and DRP will satisfy Interior's
environmental commitment made in the
[[Page 16603]]
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's 1990 Final Supplement to the Final
Environmental Impact Statement, Diamond Fork System, and now binding
upon the Mitigation Commission, to restore flows in the upper
Strawberry River that have been historically diverted by the DIC, and
to provide the mandated replacement water supply. Of principal
significance, the selected alternative will fulfill the mandates of
CUPCA and the environmental commitment by: improving the efficiency of
delivering CUP agricultural and municipal and industrial water stored
in Jordanelle Reservoir; conserving water and improving water
management in the Heber Valley; supplementing instream flows in some
Heber Valley streams; protecting the water rights of downstream users;
and minimizing adverse impacts on groundwater, wetlands and other
environmental resources.
During preparation of the FEIS, CUWCD consulted formally on listed
species with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under Sec. 7 of
the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C.A. sections 1531 to 1544, as
amended). In a letter dated January 14, 1997, the FWS indicated that
the Proposed Action Alternative selected by this ROD is not likely to
adversely affect listed or proposed species or designated or proposed
critical habitats. CUWCD and Interior will continue to consult with FWS
prior to and during construction to avoid action that may affect
proposed or listed species, or their proposed or designated critical
habitat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional information on matters related to
this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and
telephone number set forth below: Mr. Reed Murray, Program Coordinator,
CUP Completion Act Office, Department of the Interior, 302 East 1860
South Provo, UT 84606-6154, Telephone: (801) 379-1237.
Dated: April 1, 1997.
Ronald Johnston,
Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 97-8780 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
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