Quarterly Status Report of Water Service and Repayment Contract Negotiations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

Quarterly Status Report of Water Service and Repayment Contract

Negotiations

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of proposed contractual actions that

are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last

publication of this notice on July 27, 1998. The January 27, 1998, (63

FR 3913), notice should be used as a reference point to identify

changes. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the

public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and

management of project resources and facilities. Additional Bureau of

Reclamation (Reclamation) announcements of individual contract actions

may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general

circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by

the proposed action. Announcements may be in the form of news releases,

legal notices, official letters, memorandums, or other forms of written

material. Meetings, workshops, and/or hearings may also be used, as

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appropriate, to provide local publicity. The public participation

procedures do not apply to proposed contracts for sale of surplus or

interim irrigation water for a term of 1 year or less. Either of the

contracting parties may invite the public to observe contract

proceedings. All public participation procedures will be coordinated

with those involved in complying with the National Environmental Policy

Act.

ADDRESSES: The identity of the approving officer and other information

pertaining to a specific contract proposal may be obtained by calling

or writing the appropriate regional office at the address and telephone

number given for each region in the supplementary information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alonzo Knapp, Manager, Reclamation

Law, Contracts, and Repayment Office, Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box

25007, Denver, Colorado 80225-0007; telephone 303-445-2889.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 226 of the Reclamation

Reform Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 1273) and 43 CFR 426.20 of the rules and

regulations published in 52 FR 11954, Apr. 13, 1987, Reclamation will

publish notice of the proposed or amendatory contract actions for any

contract for the delivery of project water for authorized uses in

newspapers of general circulation in the affected area at least 60 days

prior to contract execution. Pursuant to the ``Final Revised Public

Participation Procedures'' for water resource-related contract

negotiations, published in 47 FR 7763, Feb. 22, 1982, a tabulation is

provided of all proposed contractual actions in each of the five

Reclamation regions. Each proposed action is, or is expected to be, in

some stage of the contract negotiation process in 1998. When contract

negotiations are completed, and prior to execution, each proposed

contract form must be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, or

pursuant to delegated or redelegated authority, the Commissioner of

Reclamation or one of the regional directors. In some instances,

congressional review and approval of a report, water rate, or other

terms and conditions of the contract may be involved.

Public participation in and receipt of comments on contract

proposals will be facilitated by adherence to the following procedures:

1. Only persons authorized to act on behalf of the contracting

entities may negotiate the terms and conditions of a specific contract

proposal.

2. Advance notice of meetings or hearings will be furnished to

those parties that have made a timely written request for such notice

to the appropriate regional or project office of Reclamation.

3. Written correspondence regarding proposed contracts may be made

available to the general public pursuant to the terms and procedures of

the Freedom of Information Act (80 Stat. 383), as amended.

4. Written comments on a proposed contract or contract action must

be submitted to the appropriate regional officials at the locations and

within the time limits set forth in the advance public notices.

5. All written comments received and testimony presented at any

public hearings will be reviewed and summarized by the appropriate

regional office for use by the contract approving authority.

6. Copies of specific proposed contracts may be obtained from the

appropriate regional director or his designated public contact as they

become available for review and comment.

7. In the event modifications are made in the form of a proposed

contract, the appropriate regional director shall determine whether

republication of the notice and/or extension of the comment period is

necessary.

Factors considered in making such a determination shall include,

but are not limited to: (i) The significance of the modification, and

(ii) the degree of public interest which has been expressed over the

course of the negotiations. As a minimum, the regional director shall

furnish revised contracts to all parties who requested the contract in

response to the initial public notice.

Acronym Definitions Used Herein

(BCP) Boulder Canyon Project

(CAP) Central Arizona Project

(CUP) Central Utah Project

(CVP) Central Valley Project

(CRSP) Colorado River Storage Project

(D&MC) Drainage and Minor Construction

(FR) Federal Register

(IDD) Irrigation and Drainage District

(ID) Irrigation District

(M&I) Municipal and Industrial

(O&M) Operation and Maintenance

(P-SMBP) Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program

(R&B) Rehabilitation and Betterment

(PPR) Present Perfected Right

(RRA) Reclamation Reform Act

(NEPA) National Environmental Policy Act

(SOD) Safety of Dams

(SRPA) Small Reclamation Projects Act

(WCUA) Water Conservation and Utilization Act

(WD) Water District

Pacific Northwest Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis

Road, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234, telephone 208-378-5346. Completed

contract actions:

10. Lewiston Orchards ID, Lewiston Orchards Project, Idaho:

Repayment contract for reimbursable cost of dam safety repairs to

Reservoir ``A.'' Contract was executed September 29, 1998.

Discontinued contract actions:

6. Douglas County, Milltown Hill Project, Oregon: SRPA loan

repayment contract; proposed combination loan and grant obligation of

approximately $31 million. Douglas County Commissioners have tabled the

project due to environmental considerations.

Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way,

Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-979-2401.

New contract actions:

31. Solano County Water Agency and Solano ID, Solano Project,

California: Contract to transfer responsibility for O&M of Monticello

Dam, Putah Diversion Dam, Putah South Canal, Headworks of Putah South

Canal, and Parshall Flume at Milepost 0.18 of Putah South Canal to

Solano ID and provide that the Solano County Water Agency shall provide

the funds necessary for O&M of the facilities.

32. Tuolumme Utility District (formerly Tuolumne Regional WD), CVP,

California: Water service contract for up to 9,000 acre-feet from New

Melones Reservoir.

33. Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, State of Nevada, State of

California, Town of Fernley, Nevada, Truckee-Carson ID, and any other

local interest or Native-American Tribal interest, who may have

negotiated rights under Public Law 101-618; Nevada and California:

Contract for the storage of non-Federal water in Truckee River

reservoirs as authorized by Public Law 101-618 and consistent with the

terms and conditions of the proposed Truckee River Operating Agreement.

Modified contract actions:

8. Sutter Extension WD, Biggs-West Gridley WD, Buena Vista Water

Storage District, and the State of California Department of Water

Resources, CVP, California: Pursuant to Public Law 102-575, conveyance

agreements for the purpose of wheeling refuge water supplies and

funding District facility improvements and exchange agreements to

provide water for refuge and private wetlands.

23. Sierra Pacific Power Company and Washoe County Water

Conservation

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District, Washoe and Truckee Storage Projects, Nevada and California:

Contract for the storage of non-Federal water in Truckee River

reservoirs as authorized by Pub. L. 101-618 and consistent with the

terms and conditions of the proposed Truckee River Operating Agreement.

Completed contract actions:

8. Sutter Extension WD, Biggs-West Gridley WD, Buena Vista Water

Storage District, and the State of California Department of Water

Resources, CVP, California: Pursuant to Pub. L. 102-575, conveyance

agreements for the purpose of wheeling refuge water supplies and

funding District facility improvements and exchange agreements to

provide water for refuge and private wetlands. Two agreements with

Glenn-Colusa ID executed on September 30, 1998 (no. 1425-98-FC-20-17630

for construction improvements to Glenn-Colusa ID's facilities and no.

1425-98-FC-20-17620 for a 50-year wheeling agreement).

Lower Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 61470 (Nevada

Highway and Park Street), Boulder City, Nevada 89006-1470, telephone

702-293-8536.

New contract actions:

57. McMicken ID, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 486 acre-feet of M&I

water to the City of Peoria.

58. ASARCO INC., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline for

giving Notice of Termination on exchange subcontract.

59. BHP Copper, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline

for giving Notice of Termination on exchange subcontract.

60. Cyprus Miami Mining Corporation, CAP, Arizona: Amendment to

extend deadline for giving Notice of Termination on exchange

subcontract.

61. San Carlos-Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Agreement among the

United States, San Carlos-Apache Tribe, Salt River Project Agricultural

Improvement and Power District, and Salt River Valley Water Users'

Association for exchange of up to 14,000 acre-feet of Black River Water

for CAP water.

62. San Carlos-Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Agreement among the

United States, San Carlos-Apache Tribe, and Phelps Dodge Corporation

for the lease of Black River water.

63. San Carlos Apache Tribe, CAP, Arizona: Amendatory contract to

increase the Tribe's CAP water entitlement pursuant to the San Carlos

Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act.

64. United States, BCP, California/Arizona: Contracts to store

water from the Colorado River and other sources for future Federal

purposes.

Modified contract actions:

4. Brooke Water Co., Havasu Water Co., City of Quartzsite, and

Arizona State Land Department, BCP, Arizona: Contracts for additional

M&I allocations of Colorado River water to entities located along the

Colorado River in Arizona for up to 2,657 acre-feet per year as

recommended by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Completed contract actions:

4. McAllister Subdivision, BCP, Arizona: Contract for additional

M&I allocation of Colorado River water for 40 acre-feet per year.

11. Windsor Beach State Park, Lake Havasu City, BCP, Arizona:

Contract for 90 acre-feet entitlement to Colorado River domestic water.

20. Gila River Indian Community, CAP, Arizona: Master repayment/O&M

contract for the CAP-funded distribution system to serve up to

approximately 77,000 acres of land.

45. Arizona State Lands, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 3,900 acre-

feet of CAP water to the City of Scottsdale.

46. Town of Youngstown, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 380 acre-feet

of CAP water to Sun City Water Co.

47. Sun City Water Co., CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 9,654 acre-feet

to Citizens Utilities, Aqua Fria Division.

49. City of Scottsdale, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 3,232 acre-feet

of CAP water annually from Cottonwood Water Works, Inc., and Camp Verde

Water System, Inc.

52. City of Tucson, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 9,500 acre-feet of

M&I water to First Trust of Arizona.

53. First Trust of Arizona, CAP, Arizona: Partial assignment of

8,852 acre-feet of M&I water to Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement

District.

54. First Trust of Arizona, CAP, Arizona: Partial assignment of 642

acre-feet of M&I water to Oro Valley.

55. Camp Verde Water System, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 1,443

acre-feet of M&I water to the City of Scottsdale.

56. Cottonwood Water Works, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 1,789

acre-feet of M&I water to the City of Scottsdale.

Upper Colorado Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 125 South State

Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1102, telephone 801-524-

4419.

New contract actions:

1(i) Harrison F. Russell and Patricia E. Russell, Aspinall Unit,

CRSP, Colorado: Contract for 1 acre-foot to support an augmentation

plan, Case No. 97CW39, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado,

to provide for single-family residential well, including home, lawn,

and noncommercial livestock watering.

1(j) Frank M. Colman, Karen Edstrom, William and Lorena Gunn, Emily

Vernon, and Williams E. Williams, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, Colorado:

Contract for 3 acre-feet to support augmentation plans, Water Division

Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to provide for single-family

residential use, irrigation, fire protection, and livestock watering.

Completed contract actions:

1(c) East Alum Creek Ranch Corporation, Aspinall Unit, CRSP,

Colorado: Contract for 23 acre-feet to support an augmentation plan,

Case No. 97CW198, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to

provide East Alum Creek Ranch Subdivision with domestic, lawn

irrigation, pond evaporation, and livestock water.

1(d) Horizon Ranch Corporation, Aspinall Unit, CRSP, Colorado:

Contract for 4 acre-feet to support an augmentation plan, Case No.

97CW201, Water Division Court No. 4, State of Colorado, to provide

Horizon Ranch with domestic, lawn irrigation, pond evaporation, and

livestock water.

1(g) TransColorado Gas Transmission Company, Aspinall Unit, CRSP,

Colorado: One-year contract for 15 acre-feet of water to be used for

hydrostatic testing of a natural gas pipeline and dust abatement in

construction area.

25. Robbins Ranches, Mancos Project, Colorado: Long-term contract

for the carriage of 2.5 cfs of water for irrigation purposes under the

authority of the Warren Act of 1911.

Great Plains Region: Bureau of Reclamation, PO Box 36900, Federal

Building, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59107-6900,

telephone 406-247-7730.

New contract actions:

34. Canadian River Project, Texas: Contract to allow correction of

groundwater source to project pipeline. Pending NEPA completion and

Regional Director signature.

35. Savage ID, P-SMBP: Contract with district has expired.

Preparing an interim contract to continue district operations until a

long-term contract can be negotiated.

Modified contract actions:

14. Northwest Area Water Supply, North Dakota: Long-term contract

for water supply from Garrison Diversion Unit facilities. Negotiations

are pending.

15. Fort Shaw and Greenfields IDs, Sun River Project, Montana:

Contract for SOD costs for repairs to Willow Creek Dam. Greenfields ID

has signed a 1-year repayment contract for its share of the SOD costs.

The basis of negotiation is in the process of being revised to extend

the repayment term.

Completed contract actions:

30. Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado: Repayment contract with

Southeastern Colorado Water

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Conservancy District for repayment of cost of SOD modifications to

Pueblo Dam.

Dated: October 13, 1998.

Wayne O. Deason,

Deputy Director, Program Analysis Office.

[FR Doc. 98-28030 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]

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