Acreage Limitation and Water Conservation Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

43 CFR Parts 426 and 427

[IN: 1006-AA32]

Acreage Limitation and Water Conservation Rules and Regulations

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public hearings on the proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: In response to a September 1993 contract for settlement of a

lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, National

Wildlife Federation, California Natural Resources Federation,

[[Page 20069]] California Association of Family Farmers, California

Action Network, League of Rural Voters Inc., and County of Trinity,

California; the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared new

acreage limitation and water conservation rules and regulations for

implementing the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, as amended, throughout

the 17 Western United States. The proposed rules were published in the

Federal Register on April 3, 1995 (60 FR 16922, Apr. 3, 1995), and are

open to a 60-day review and comment period which will close on June 2,

1995.

Public hearings will be held to receive comments from interested

organizations and individuals on the proposed rules. During the week

prior to the scheduled hearings there will be several public forums at

various locations throughout the Western States to provide an

opportunity for the public to receive information and clarification

concerning the proposed changes to the rules and regulations.

Information regarding these forums will be provided to affected parties

by mail.

DATES: Public hearings on the proposed rules are scheduled as follows:

1. May 8, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. Yakima, Washington; Billings, Montana

2. May 9, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., Boise, Idaho; Lakewood, Colorado

3. May 10, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., Sacramento, California; Phoenix, Arizona

4. May 11, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., Salt Lake City, Utah; Fresno, California

ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held at the following locations:

1. Yakima--Red Lion Inn (Yakima Valley), 1507 North First Street,

Yakima, Washington

Billings--Sheraton Hotel, 27 North 27th Street, Billings, Montana

2. Boise--Red Lion Inn Riverside, 2900 Chinden Blvd., Boise, Idaho

Lakewood--Sheraton Denver West Hotel, 360 Union Blvd, Lakewood,

Colorado

3. Sacramento--Red Lion Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento,

California

Phoenix--Hilton Point at South Mountain, 7777 South Point Parkway,

Phoenix, Arizona

4. Salt Lake City--Hilton Hotel, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City,

utah

Fresno--Holiday Inn (Airport), 5090 East Clinton, Fresno, California

Written comments for inclusion in the official record should be

received at the Bureau of Reclamation by June 2, 1995. Comments should

be addressed to: Mr Ronald J. Schuster (D-5010), Westwide Settlement

Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office, PO Box 25007, Denver CO

80225.

A dedicated toll-free telephone line has been established at 1-800-

861-5443 through June 2, 1995 to accommodate oral comments from those

not attending a public hearing. Comments will be recorded on tape and

transcribed by a court reporter, and will be part of the official

record. Statements are limited to 10 minutes and must include the

commentor's name in order to be included in the official record.

Address and affiliation are optional.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Schuster, (303) 236-9336,

ext. 237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An identical notice is published in this

Federal Register regarding public hearings on the environmental impacts

of the proposed rules and regulations for implementing the Reclamation

Reform Act of 1982.

Ground rules for the hearings are presented below:

--While each hearing is in session, all comments will be recorded by a

court reporter.

--Speakers should identify themselves and any organization that they

represent.

--Statements will be limited to 10 minutes, and speakers will not be

allowed to trade time to obtain longer presentations. The hearing

officer may allow any speaker additional time after all scheduled

speakers have been heard. The hearing officer may also shorten the 10

minute limit if the number of speakers is too large to fit within a

reasonable time frame.

--No one will be recognized to speak other than those parties who are

presenting statements.

--To ensure a complete and accurate record, it will be necessary that

only one person speak at a time.

--Persons presenting views will not be sworn in or otherwise placed

under oath.

--There will be no examination or interrogation of speakers.

--There will be no response by the hearing officer or other Bureau of

Reclamation staff on speaker comments.

--Due to the shortness of available time, speakers are encouraged to

summarize their comments as much as possible and give the court

reporter a copy of their full statement which will be added to the

official record.

--Speakers will be scheduled according to the order in which they sign

up. Any speaker not present when called will lose his or her turn in

the scheduled order, but will be given an opportunity to speak at the

end of the scheduled presentations.

--After the scheduled speakers have been heard, each individual who

wishes to speak will be afforded that opportunity.

--People are asked to refrain from clapping or other actions that might

interfere with the speakers or hearing.

Dated: April 18, 1995.

Wayne O. Deason,

Assistant Director, Program Analysis Office.

[FR Doc. 95-10011 Filed 4-21-95; 8:45 am]

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