Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement; Availability and Notice of Public Hearings

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[INT-DES-96-46]

Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement; Availability

and Notice of Public Hearings

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public hearings on the

draft programmatic environmental impact statement; INT-DES-96-46.

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SUMMARY: The Gila River Indian Community (Community) and the Bureau of

Reclamation (Reclamation) have prepared a Draft Programmatic

Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation

Project (Project) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy

Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and other applicable environmental

laws. The purpose of the draft PEIS is to assist in decisionmaking by

the Commissioner of Reclamation regarding the approval of construction-

related expenditures of funds authorized for the Central Arizona

Project (CAP) to implement portions of the Project within the

constraints of law. Any project that involves a major Federal action,

such as Federal funding, permitting or approval, must comply with NEPA.

This draft PEIS describes four alternatives for rehabilitation of

66,000 acres and new development of 80,330 acres of irrigated

agricultural lands. The proposed action is to rehabilitate San Carlos

Indian Irrigation Project (SCIIP) facilities and build new facilities

both on and off the Reservation. Ultimate project size would be 146,330

acres which will enable the Gila River Indian Community to better

utilize water supplies and provide additional economic employment

opportunities. A No Federal Action alternative is also described.

The Community is the Project proponent and is responsible for the

preparation of this draft PEIS through a Self-Governance Agreement with

Reclamation. Reclamation is responsible for disbursing CAP-related

Federal funds and functions as the lead Federal agency for the Project.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is a cooperating agency in this

process because of its trust responsibility and administration of

SCIIP.

DATES: A 60-day public review period begins with the publication of

this notice. Written comments on the draft PEIS should be submitted to

the Bureau of Reclamation.

Public hearings on the draft PEIS will be held on the following

dates at the locations indicated.

December 3, 1996, Sacaton, Arizona: Tribal Council

Chambers, Corner of Pima and Main Street, Sacaton, AZ 85247, 7:00-9:00

p.m.

December 4, 1996, Laveen, Arizona: District 6 Service

Center, Corner of St. Johns Road and 51st Avenue, Laveen, AZ 85339,

7:00-9:00 p.m.

December 5, 1996, Coolidge, Arizona: Coolidge Adult

Center, 250 South 3rd Street, Coolidge, AZ 85228, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

December 5, 1996, Phoenix, Arizona: Quality Inn--South

Mountain, 5121 East La Puente Street, Phoenix AZ 85044, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the draft PEIS and requests for copies

should be addressed to: Mr. Bruce D. Ellis (PXAO-1500), Bureau of

Reclamation, PO Box 9980, Phoenix, AZ 85068. Copies may also be

requested by telephone at (602) 870-6760.

Copies of the draft PEIS are available for inspection at the

address above and also at the following locations:

Office of the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Room

7612, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington DC 20240

Reclamation Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation,

Library, Room 167, Building 67, Denver Federal Center, Denver CO 80225

Lower Colorado Regional Office, Bureau of Reclamation,

Library, Room M117, Nevada Highway and Park Street, Boulder City NV

89005

Libraries

Arizona Department of Library Archives and Public Records, Phoenix AZ

Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix AZ

Chandler Public Library, Chandler AZ

Florence Public Library, Florence AZ

Coolidge Public Library, Coolidge AZ

Arizona Collection, Hayden Library, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ

University of Arizona, Main Library, Tucson AZ

Ms. Rebecca Burke, Government Document Service, Arizona State

University, Tempe AZ

Ms. Holly Amegen, Tucson AZ

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bruce D. Ellis (PXAO-1500), Bureau

of Reclamation, PO Box 9980, Phoenix, AZ 85068; telephone: (602) 870-

6760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gila River Indian Community (Community)

proposes to construct a common-use irrigation system to deliver water

to 146,330 acres within the Gila River Indian Reservation (Reservation)

and to rehabilitate SCIIP Joint Works facilities. The Proposed Action,

known as the Project, represents a component of the Community's Master

Plan for Land and Water Use (Franzoy Corey, 1985). The Master Plan

identifies the Community's major goals and preferences for improving

and developing Reservation land and water resources.

The Project would support the continued role of agriculture as a

primary element of the Community's traditional economy and way of life.

The Project would enhance economic growth, development and self-

sufficiency of the Community. The Project has the potential to

significantly improve the standard of living for Community members.

The Community is the Project proponent and is responsible for the

preparation of this draft PEIS through a Self-Governance Agreement with

Reclamation. Reclamation is responsible for disbursing CAP-related

Federal funds and functions as the lead Federal agency for the Project.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is a cooperating agency in this

process because of its trust responsibility and administration of

SCIIP.

Hearing Process Information

The purpose of the hearings is to allow the public an opportunity

to present their views and comments on the environmental impacts of the

proposed project.

[[Page 56705]]

Those wishing to request time to make comments prior to the hearing

dates should write or call the Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area

Office. The address and telephone number are listed on the previous

page. Requests should be received on or before November 26, 1996, and

should indicate at which session the speaker wishes to appear. Speakers

will be called upon to present their comments in the order in which

their requests were received by the Bureau of Reclamation. Requests to

speak may also be made at each session, and speakers will be called

after the advance requests. Oral comments will be limited to 5 minutes

per individual.

Written comments, for inclusion in the hearing record, from those

unable to attend the hearing or wanting to supplement their oral

presentation should be received at the Bureau of Reclamation Phoenix

Area Office by December 15, 1996.

Dated: October 23, 1996.

V. LeGrand Neilson,

Assistant Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 96-28229 Filed 11-1-96; 8:45 am]

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