81 FR 63204 - Notice of Cancellation To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the San Carlos Irrigation Project, Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 178 (September 14, 2016)

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is terminating preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San Carlos Irrigation Project. The proposed project scope has been modified, and Reclamation has determined that an Environmental Assessment (EA) rather than an EIS is the appropriate level of environmental documentation for the proposed action.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 63204]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22053]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[RR03250000; XXXR4079V1; RA.R3441003.0960000]


Notice of Cancellation To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the San Carlos Irrigation Project, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is terminating 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San 
Carlos Irrigation Project. The proposed project scope has been 
modified, and Reclamation has determined that an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) rather than an EIS is the appropriate level of 
environmental documentation for the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Sean Heath at (623) 773-6250, or 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project includes rehabilitation 
and modernization of San Carlos Irrigation Project Joint Works and 
District Works irrigation canals. Primary components of the 
rehabilitation are the lining of all or most of the main canals with 
concrete to reduce seepage and evaporation losses from the system, the 
modification of the canal prism (cross-sections and profiles) to 
increase system efficiency, the inclusion of a water storage facility, 
and modernized measurement and control amenities to improve delivery 
service. To protect and preserve the new lined conveyance system, 
separate storm water drainage facilities would be dedicated to cross 
drainage storm water management.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS for the San Carlos Irrigation 
Project was published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2010 (75 FR 
53332). The proposed action was originally scoped as an EIS. 
Publication of the Federal Register notice was followed with a scoping 
letter to potentially interested individuals, organizations, tribes, 
and agencies, and posting of the notice on Reclamation's Phoenix Area 
Office Web site. In addition, a news release was submitted to 12 news 
media outlets. Two public scoping meetings were held to solicit public 
comment. Reclamation received nine comment letters regarding the 
proposed action, none of which identified potentially significant 
effects to the human environment.
    The Notice of Intent described a proposal to rehabilitate and line 
up to 40 miles of major canals, such as the Florence-Casa Grande, Casa 
Grande, and North Side canals, along with construction of new check 
structures and cross-drainage features. During preparation of the EIS, 
a new alternative was subsequently developed that would reduce 
potential environmental impacts of the project. The new alternative 
would accommodate the delivery of irrigation flows during construction, 
thereby reducing potential adverse impacts to sensitive riparian 
habitat and bird species on the Gila River. Furthermore, the geographic 
scope of the rehabilitation was reduced from 40 miles to 25 miles. 
Reclamation has not identified other environmental effects of the 
proposed action that are potentially significant and would warrant us 
to consider preparation of an EIS over an EA. Based on the reduction in 
scope, and the limited response to solicitation of comments, 
Reclamation has determined that an EA is the appropriate level of 
environmental analysis for the proposed action.

    Dated: September 8, 2016.
Marc Maynard,
Acting Regional Director, Lower Colorado Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-22053 Filed 9-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4332-90-P