[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 8768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4753]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Office of the Assistant Secretary; Water and Science Central Utah 
Project Completion Act; Uintah Unit Replacement Project

AGENCIES: The Department of the Interior (Department) and the Central 
Utah Water Conservancy District (District).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement: DES 97-7.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Department, and the District have 
issued a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) on the 
Uintah Unit Replacement Project (Uintah Unit). The Draft EIS consists 
of a proposed action and alternatives to construct a combination of 
features that will develop water supplies for the Uintah Unit of the 
Central Utah Project in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah. The Draft 
EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of water storage reservoirs, 
improved diversion and distribution of water, water conservation, 
stabilization of high mountain lakes, instream flows, fish and wildlife 
mitigation and enhancement, recreation developments and land 
retirement.
    There is a need to manage the water supply within the Uintah Unit 
to develop resources of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray 
Reservation, provide early and late season irrigation water, and 
provide water and facilities for environmental and recreation purposes. 
The proposed action and alternatives seek to meet these needs by 
providing storage, improved distribution of water, water conservation, 
instream flows, fish and wildlife enhancements, and recreation 
developments.
    Public participation has occurred throughout the EIS process. A 
Notice of Intent was filed in the Federal Register on December 31, 
1992. Since that time, open houses, public meetings, and mail-outs have 
been conducted to solicit comments and ideas. Any comments received 
throughout the process have been considered.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS must be submitted or 
postmarked no later than April 29, 1997. Comments on the Draft EIS may 
also be presented verbally or submitted in writing at the public 
hearings to be held at the following times and locations:
    <bullet> Tuesday, April 1, 1997, 1:00 p.m., Ute Tribal Auditorium, 
Tribal Headquarters, Fort Duchesne, Utah.
    <bullet> Tuesday, April 1, 1997, 6:00 p.m., Union High School 
Auditorium, 135 North Union, Roosevelt, Utah.
    <bullet> Wednesday April 2, 1997, 6:00 p.m., Salt Lake County 
Commission Chambers, Room N1101, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake 
City, Utah.
    The public hearings are being held to address the Draft EIS for the 
proposed Uintah Unit Replacement Project. In order to be included as 
part of the hearing record, written testimony must be submitted at the 
time of the hearing. Verbal testimony will be limited to 5 minutes. 
Those wishing to give testimony at a hearing should submit a 
registration form, included at the end of the Draft EIS, to the address 
listed below by, March 25, 1997.

ADDRESS: Comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to: Terry 
Holzworth, Project Manager, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, 
355 West 1300 South, Orem, Utah 84058.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional copies of the Draft EIS, copies of 
the resources technical reports, Draft Feasibility Study, or 
information on matters related to this notice can be obtained on 
request from: Ms. Nancy Hardman, Central Utah Water Conservancy 
District, 355 West 1300 South, Orem, Utah 84058, Telephone: (801) 226-
7187, Fax: (801) 226-7150.
    Copies are also available for inspection at:

Central Utah Water Conservancy District, 355 West 1300 South, Orem, 
Utah 84058
Department of the Interior, Natural Resource Library, Serials Branch, 
18th and C Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240
Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 
302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Uintah and Ouray Agency, 988 South 7500 East, 
Fort Duchesne, Utah 84026.

    Dated: February 21, 1997.
Ronald Johnston,
CUPCA Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 97-4753 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
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