[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37923-37924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18469]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Resource Management Plan and Draft Environment Impact Statement
for Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs, New Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of scoping meeting and intent to prepare a draft
environment impact statement.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes
through a private consultant to prepare a draft environment impact
statement (DEIS) in conjunction with the Resource Management Plan (RMP)
for Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs, New Mexico. Reclamation
through its' consultant, will conduct a scoping meeting to inform the
public of significant issues identified to date, and to identify
additional issues that should be analyzed in the DEIS.
DATES: The meeting will be held on August 28, 1996, An ``Open House''
will
[[Page 37924]]
be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a more structured meeting
scheduled to begin immediately following the ``Open House''.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Civic Center, 400 West 4th
Street, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clay McDermeit, Reclamation Team
Leader for the Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoir RMP, 505 Marquette
N.W., Suite 1313, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102; Telephone (505) 248-
5391; or Ms. Rosemary Romero, Public Involvement Specialist, Western
Network, 811 St. Michael's Drive, Suite 106, Santa Fe, New Mexico
87505; Telephone 1-800-326-9805.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the RMP is to produce a
written management document, consistent with existing laws, treaties,
and compacts, that may be used as guide by Reclamation and other
involved agencies in the allocation of resources and appropriate uses
of both lands and waters within the reservation boundaries.
The RMP will address: (1) Multiple uses, and (2) other agency
management functions as delegated through various agreements with
Reclamation. The DEIS will present an analysis of the impacts of
alternative management practices associated with the land and water
resources at both reservoirs.
Four ``open house'' meetings were previously held during February
1996 in El Paso, Las Cruces, Truth or Consequences and Albuquerque to
solicit input form agencies and the general public on issues that
should be addressed during the development of the RMP. As a result of
these meetings and further discussions with the planning work group and
the general public, it has been determined that a draft environmental
impact statement will be prepared in conjunction with the RMP.
Reclamation has previously prepared four NEPA documents that
address operation and maintenance activities on the Rio Grande in the
vicinity of both reservoirs. The documents are:
* Final Environmental Impact Statement, Operation and Maintenance
Program for the Rio Grande-Velarde to Caballo Dam-Rio Grande and Middle
Rio Grande Projects (1977);
* Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact, Rio Grande Conveyance rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance
Program, Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico (1982);
* Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact, Rio Grande Channel Restoration, Operation and Maintenance
Program, Elephant Butte Dam to Caballo Reservoir, Sierra County, New
Mexico, (1985); and
* Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement-
River Maintenance Program for the Rio Grande-Velarde to Caballo Dam,
Rio Grande and Middle Rio Grande Projects, New Mexico.
During the ``Open House'' and the more structured part of the
Scoping Meeting, agencies and the general public are encouraged to
submit written comments and may request additional clarification of the
RMP and EIS process. Anyone interested in more information concerning
the study should contact Mr. Clay McDarmeit or Ms. Romero.
The Truth or Consequences Civic Center is accessible to the
disabled. However, any individuals requiring special assistance at the
meeting should make their needs known in advance to Ms. Romero.
Dated: July 16, 1996.
Garry Mr. Rowe,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-18469 Filed 7-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M
