Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other Water-Related Contract Negotiations

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39171-39173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18553]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other 
Water-Related 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 April 27, 1999. The January 22, 1999, 
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 
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 1999. 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
(BON) Basis of Negotiation
(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
(NEPA) National Environmental Policy Act
(O&M) Operation and Maintenance
(P-SMBP) Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program
(PPR) Present Perfected Right
(RRA) Reclamation Reform Act
(R&B) Rehabilitation and Betterment
(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, Suite 100, Boise, Idaho 83706-1234, telephone 208-378-5346.
    The Pacific Northwest Region has no updates to report for this 
quarter. Please refer to the January 22, 1999, publication of this 
notice for current contract actions.
    Mid-Pacific Region: Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, 
Sacramento, California 95825-1898, telephone 916-978-5250.
    New contract actions:
    40. Byron-Bethany ID, CVP, California: Long-term Warren Act 
contract for conveyance of non-project water in the Delta-Mendota 
Canal.
    Modified contract actions:
    6. El Dorado County Water Agency, CVP, California: M&I water 
service contract for 15,000 acre-feet to supplement existing water 
supply, authorized by Public Law 101-514.
    14. Mercy Springs WD, CVP, California: Assignment of Mercy Springs 
Water District's water service contract to Pajaro Valley Water 
Management Agency. The assignment will provide for delivery of up to 
13,300 acre-feet annually of water to the Agency from the CVP for 
agricultural purposes.

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    Completed contract actions:
    6. El Dorado County Water Agency, San Juan WD, and Sacramento 
County Water Agency, CVP, California: M&I water service contracts to 
supplement existing water supply: 15,000 acre-feet for El Dorado County 
Water Agency, 13,000 acre-feet for San Juan WD, and 22,000 acre-feet 
for Sacramento County Water Agency authorized by Public Law 101-514. 
Completed contract actions with Sacramento County Water Agency 
(contract No. 6-07-20-W1372) executed April 8, 1999, and San Juan WD 
(contract No. 6-07-20-W1373) executed April 8, 1999.
    14. Mercy Springs WD, CVP, California: Assignment of District's 
water service contract to Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. The 
assignment will provide for delivery of up to 13,300 acre-feet annually 
of water to the Agency from the CVP for agricultural purposes. Interim 
assignment of up to 6,260 acre-feet of water annually to Westlands WD 
and Santa Clara Valley WD until Pajaro Water Management Agency 
completes their water project. Interim assignment agreement executed 
May 14, 1999.
    20. Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, 
Solano Project, California: Renewal of water service contract No. 14-
06-200-1290A, which expired February 28, 1999. Contract executed March 
18, 1999, with effective date of March 1, 1999.
    21. Solano County Water Agency, Solano Project, California: Renewal 
of water service contract No. 14-06-200-4090, which expired February 
28, 1999. Contract executed February 28, 1999, with effective date of 
March 1, 1999.
    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. Contract No. 9-07-20-
X0358 executed June 2, 1999.
    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:
    56. Southern Nevada Water Authority, Robert B. Griffith Water 
Project, BCP, Nevada: Title transfer of physical facilities with 
interest in acquired lands, grant or assignment of perpetual rights or 
easements over Federal-owned lands.
    57. Hohokam IDD, CAP, Arizona: Amend distribution system repayment 
contract to reflect final project costs.
    58. Sun City Water Co., CAP, Arizona: Partial assignment of 2,372 
acre-feet of CAP M&I water to Sun City West Utilities Co.
    59. Sun City Water Co., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to M&I water 
service subcontract with Citizens Utilities Co., Agua Fria Division.
    60. Gila River Indian Community, CAP, Arizona: Amend CAP water 
delivery contact and distribution system repayment, and OM&R contract 
pursuant to proposed Gila River Indian Community Water Rights 
Settlement Agreement.
    61. Cortaro Marana ID, CAP, Arizona: Assignment of 47 acre-feet of 
CAP M&I water to the Town of Marana.
    62. Basic Management, Inc., Salinity Project, Nevada: Title 
transfer of the Pitman Wash Bypass Demonstration Project facilities and 
all interests in acquired lands and easements with an obligation to 
continue bypassing the water in Pitman Wash.
    63. BHP Copper, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Proposed agreement and 
amendments to CAP water delivery subcontracts to transfer BHP Copper's 
CAP water allocation to the City of Scottsdale, Town of Carefree, and 
Tonto Hills Utility Company.
    Discontinued contract actions:
    28. McMicken ID/Town of Goodyear, CAP, Arizona: Amend McMicken's 
CAP water service subcontract to reduce its entitlement by 507 acre-
feet and Goodyears' water service subcontract to increase its 
entitlement by 507 acre-feet. This action is included in No. 53.
    54. McMicken ID, CAP, Arizona: Amendment No.1 to terminate CAP 
water service subcontract.
    Completed contract actions:
    2. Arizona State Land Department, State of Arizona, BCP, Arizona: 
Contract for 6,607 acre-feet per year of Colorado River water for 
agricultural use and related purposes on State-owned land.
    37. Arizona State Land Department, BCP, Arizona: Water delivery 
contract for delivery of up to 9,000 acre-feet per year of unused 
apportionment and surplus Colorado River water for irrigation.
    45. ASARCO Inc., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline for 
giving notice of termination on exchange subcontract.
    46. BHP Copper, Inc., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to extend deadline 
for giving notice of termination on exchange subcontract.
    47. Cyprus Miami Mining Corporation, CAP, Arizona: Amendment to 
extend deadline for giving notice of termination on exchange 
subcontract.
    59. Sun City Water Co., CAP, Arizona: Amendment to M&I water 
service subcontract with Citizens Utilities Co., Agua Fria Division.
    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(g) Whetstone Vista L.L.C., Aspinall Unit, CRSP, Colorado: 
Contract for 1 acre-foot to support augmentation plans, Water Division 
Court No. 4, State of Colorado (Case No. 96CW298), to provide for 
single-family residential use, irrigation, and livestock watering.
    19. Individual irrigators, Carlsbad Project, New Mexico: The United 
States proposes to enter into long-term forbearance lease agreements 
with individuals who have privately held water rights to divert non-
project water either directly from the Pecos River or from shallow/
artesian wells in the Pecos River Watershed. This action will result in 
additional water in the Pecos River to make up for the water depletions 
caused by changes in operations at Sumner Dam which were made to 
improve conditions for a threatened species, the Pecos Bluntnose 
Shiner.
    Completed contract actions:
    1(e) Frank M. Colman, Karen Edstrom, William and Lorena Gunn, Emily 
Vernon, and William 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.
    15. Emery County Water Conservancy District, Emery County Project, 
Utah: Warren Act contract to allow temporary storage of non-project 
water in Joes Valley Reservoir and/or Huntington North Reservoir.
    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:
    39. Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado: Pueblo Board of Water 
Works, long-term storage and conveyance contract.
    40. Keith Bower (Individual), Boysen Unit, Wyoming, P-SMBP: 
Contract for up to 500 acre-feet of irrigation water to service 144 
acres.
    41. Canyon Lam. Liability (Individual), Boysen Unit, Wyoming, P-
SMBP: Contract for up to 16 acre-feet of supplemental irrigation water 
to service 4 acres.

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    42. L. Sheep Company (Individual), Boysen Unit, Wyoming, P-SMBP: 
Contract for up to 60 acre-feet of irrigation water to service 180 
acres.
    Modified contract actions:
    9. Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana: In accordance 
with section 9 of the Northern Cheyenne Reserved Water Rights 
Settlement Act of 1992, the United States and the Northern Cheyenne 
Indian Tribe are proposing to contract for 30,000 acre-feet per year of 
stored water from Bighorn Reservoir, Yellowtail Unit, Lower Bighorn 
Division, P-SMBP, Montana. The Tribe will pay the United States both 
capital and O&M costs associated with each acre-foot of water the Tribe 
sells from this storage for M&I purposes. Agreement undergoing final 
review by Reclamation. A date for execution has not been scheduled.
    15. Fort Shaw and Greenfields IDs, Sun River Project, Montana: 
Contract for SOD costs for repairs to Willow Creek Dam. Have received 
the revised/approved BON from the Commissioner. The contract has been 
sent to the Fort Shaw ID for signature.
    24. Lower Marias Unit, P-SMBP, Montana: Water service contract 
expired June 1997. Initiating renewal of existing contract for 25 years 
for up to 480 acre-feet of storage from Tiber Reservoir to irrigate 160 
acres. Received approved BON from the Commissioner. Currently 
developing the contract and consulting with the Tribes regarding the 
Water Rights Compact. A 1-year interim contract has been issued to 
continue delivery of water until the necessary actions can be completed 
to renew a long-term contract.
    32. Savage ID, P-SMBP, Montana: A 1-year interim contract has been 
entered into with the District. The District is currently seeking title 
transfer.
    36. Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado: Proposed contract 
amendment to contract No. 9-07-70-W099 with Busk-Ivanhoe, Inc.
    37. Fort Shaw and Greenfields IDs, Sun River Project, Montana: 
Contract for additional SOD costs for repairs to Willow Creek Dam. 
Approved BON has been received for the Greenfields ID. Contract will be 
executed upon approval of the MOD report by Congress. Awaiting approval 
of the BON for the Fort Shaw ID.
    Discontinued contract actions:
    6. Lakeview ID, Shoshone Project, Wyoming: New long-term water 
service contract for up to 3,200 acre-feet of firm water supply 
annually and up to 11,800 acre-feet of interim water from Buffalo Bill 
Reservoir. Pursuant to section 9(e) of the Reclamation Project Act of 
1939 and Public Law 100-516. Category undetermined, removed due to 
District not receiving Federal water.
    Completed contract actions:
    5. Tom Green County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, 
San Angelo Project, Texas: Pursuant to section 501 of Public Law 101-
434, negotiate amendatory contract to increase irrigable acreage within 
the project.
    21. Canadian River Project, Texas: Recalculate existing contract 
repayment schedule to conform with the provisions of the Emergency 
Drought Relief Act of 1996. The revised schedule is to reflect a 
consideration for project land transferred to the National Park 
Service, and a 3-year deferment of payments.
    27. Glendo Unit, P-SMBP, Wyoming: Initiate amendments to extend the 
current contracts until December 31, 2000, in accordance with the 
``Irrigation Project Contract Extension Act of 1998'' for Burbank 
Ditch, New Grattan Ditch Company, Torrington ID, Lucerne Canal and 
Power Company, and Wright and Murphy Ditch Company.
    28. Glendo Unit, P-SMBP, Nebraska: Initiate amendments to extend 
the current contracts until December 31, 2000, in accordance with the 
``Irrigation Project Contract Extension Act of 1998'' for Bridgeport, 
Enterprise, and Mitchell IDs, and Central Nebraska Public Power and ID.
    31. Canadian River Project, Texas: Amend repayment contract No. 14-
06-500-485 to allow for prepayment of construction charge obligation as 
authorized by Public Law 105-316, signed October 30, 1998.
    33. San Angelo Project, Texas: San Angelo Water Supply Corporation, 
amend contract to reflect increase in irrigable acreage as authorized 
pursuant to section 501 of Public Law 101-434.

    Dated: July 14, 1999.
Wayne O. Deason,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-18553 Filed 7-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P