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Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: October 1, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 190)]
[Notices]
[Page 51486]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc97-77]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the final programmatic environmental
impact statement; INT-FES 97-30, Filed September 26, 1997.

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SUMMARY: The Gila River Indian Community (Community) and the Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) have prepared a Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) on the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation
Project (Project) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended, and other applicable environmental laws. The
purpose of the final PEIS is to assist in decision making 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 final 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 final 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.

ADDRESSES: Single copies of the final PEIS may be obtained on request.
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) 395-5683.
    Copies of the final PEIS are available for inspection at the
address above and also at the following locations:

Office of the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, Room 7612, 849 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 Region, Bureau of Reclamation, Library, Room 105, Mead
Building, 3 Miles South on Buchanan Boulevard, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bruce D. Ellis (PXAO-1500), Bureau
of Reclamation, PO Box 9980, Phoenix, AZ 85068; telephone: (602) 395-
5685.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The recommended plan proposes construction
of 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 recommended plan, 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. No
significant changes have been made to the recommended plan as presented
in the draft PEIS (DEIS 96-46).
    The final PEIS presents the recommended plan, alternatives, and the
no Federal action alternative. The document describes the existing
environment and analyzes, at a programmatic level, the environmental
consequences of project construction. The final PEIS also includes
responses to comments received during the 60-day public review and
hearing process on the draft statement.

    Dated: September 26, 1997.
V. LeGrand Neilson,
Assistant Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 97-25987 Filed 9-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P

 
 

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