Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Elephant Butte/Caballo New Mexico Reservoirs Resource Management Plan

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[DES 99-37]

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Elephant Butte/Caballo

New Mexico Reservoirs Resource Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (NEPA) as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)

announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS) for the Elephant Butte/Caballo Resource Management Plan (RMP).

The DEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of proposed management

activities through a conceptual framework of conservation, protection,

development, use, and resource enhancement. The project area

encompasses approximately 78,000 acres of Federal lands and water and

is located near the towns of Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg, in

south-central New Mexico. Elephant Butte Reservoir was constructed

primarily for irrigation and flood control with power generation added

later, and Caballo Reservoir for flood control and re-regulation of

water releases from Elephant Butte Dam. Activities such as fishing,

camping, boating and other recreational activities have become

important secondary uses of the available resources. Public hearings

will be held to receive comments from interested individuals and

organizations on the environmental impact of the proposal.

DATES: A 60-day public review period will commence with the publication

of this notice. The Public hearings are scheduled as follows:

Date: October 26.

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: NM Farm & Ranch, Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs

Road, Las Cruces, NM.

Date: October 27.

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Civic Center, 400 West 4th Street, Truth or Consequences,

NM.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Bureau of Reclamation, Attn:

ALB-156, Albuquerque Area Office, 505 Marquette NW, Suite 1313,

Albuquerque, NM 87102-2162. If you wish to have your name and/or home

address withheld from public documents related to the DEIS, please

indicate that with your written comments and we will honor your request

to the extent allowable by law. For a complete copy of the DEIS,

contact Ms. Rosemary Romero, Public Involvement Specialist, Western

Network, 811 St. Michaels Drive, Suite 106, Santa Fe, NM 87505,

telephone 1-800-326-9805. A summary of the DEIS is also available to

download or view online at http://uc.usbr.gov. The DEIS may be

inspected and reviewed at the at the following locations:

Santa Fe Public Library, 145 Washington Ave., Santa Fe, NM

87501.

Rio Grande Valley Library, 501 Cooper Ave. NW,

Albuquerque, NM 87102.

Socorro Public Library, 401 Park Street, Socorro, NM

87801.

Truth or Consequences Public Library, 325 Library Lane,

Truth or Consequences, NM 87901.

Las Cruces Public Library, 200 East Picacho, Las Cruces,

NM 88001.

El Paso Public Library, 501 North Oregon Street, El Paso,

Texas 79901.

Bureau of Reclamation, Elephant Butte Field Division, HC-

32, Box 312, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, Telephone 505-894-6661.

Bureau of Reclamation, El Paso Field Division, 700 E. San

Antonio Ave., Room B318, El Paso, TX 79901, Telephone 915-534-6300.

Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office, 505

Marquette NW, Suite 1313, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Telephone 505-248-

5357.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clay McDermeit, telephone (505) 248-

5391.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In recent years, the project area has

experienced a sharp increase in recreation-oriented visitation and

adjacent private land development that has subsequently increased

demands on Project Area recreational and natural resources. The DEIS

project proposes management guidelines and analyzes the impacts of such

actions through the identification of the following alternatives: (A)

No Action--Existing facilities maintained without expansion and with

minimal improvement; (B) Resource Conservation Emphasis--Significant

emphasis placed on conservation, protection, and enhancement of natural

and cultural resources; (C) Multi-Purpose Emphasis--Allows for a

variety of uses including expanded developed recreation areas, improved

primitive recreation areas, adjustment of grazing, and establishment of

wildlife management areas; and (D) Recreation Development Emphasis--

Expansion of recreation opportunities by maximizing development on

Project Area.

Based upon issues and concerns identified during the scoping

process, this DEIS includes an assessment of lease lots, grazing,

recreation development, wildlife and endangered species, cultural

resources, socioeconomics, and other related concerns. The preferred

alternative identifies a course of action with minimal environmental

impact, increased resource protection, and an acceptable level of

recreational use.

Dated: August 31, 1999.

Charles A. Calhoun,

Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 99-24964 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]

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