[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17906-17907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9311]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision on the Wasatch 
County Water Efficiency Project and Daniel Replacement Project Final 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission 
(Mitigation Commission).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision (ROD).

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SUMMARY: On March 12, 1997, Don A. Christiansen, Chairman of the Utah 
Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the Record of 
Decision (ROD) which documents the selection of the Proposed Action 
Alternative as presented in the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project 
and Daniel Replacement Project (WCWEP and DRP) Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS), INT FES 96-58, filed November 22, 1996, and as 
described in the WCWEP Feasibility Study dated January 1997. The ROD 
also approves the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) 
proceeding with construction of WCWEP and DRP, in accordance with 
statutory and contractual obligations. Construction of WCWEP will 
conserve water from the Central Utah Project agricultural supply for 
Wasatch County and provide it as replacement water for the water 
presently being diverted from the Strawberry River basin by the Daniel 
Irrigation Company (DIC). Restoration of natural stream flows to the 
Strawberry River basin constitutes more than one-fourth of the aquatic 
mitigation required for the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System 
of the Central Utah Project. The replacement supply will be delivered 
by means of the DRP.
    The FEIS for WCWEP and DRP considered three alternatives to restore 
flows in the upper Strawberry River and to provide water and water 
conveyance facilities from Jordanelle Reservoir to the existing DIC 
water storage facilities as mandated in section 303 of the Central Utah 
Project Completion Act (CUPCA) and a No Action Alternative. The Utah 
Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation 
Commission), the Department of the Interior (Interior), and the CUWCD 
served as the Joint Lead Agencies in the preparation of the NEPA 
compliance documents.
    In addition to satisfying the requirements and authorizations of 
CUPCA, the construction of the WCWEP and DRP will satisfy the 
environmental commitment made in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's 1990 
Final Supplement to

[[Page 17907]]

the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Diamond Fork System, and now 
binding upon the Mitigation Commission, to restore flows in the upper 
Strawberry River that have been historically diverted by the DIC, and 
to provide the mandated replacement water supply. Of principal 
significance, the selected alternative will fulfill the mandates of 
CUPCA and the environmental commitment by: improving the efficiency of 
delivering CUP agricultural and municipal and industrial water stored 
in Jordanelle Reservoir; conserving water and improving water 
management in the Heber Valley; supplementing instream flows in some 
Heber Valley streams; protecting the water rights of downstream users; 
and minimizing adverse impacts on groundwater, wetlands and other 
environmental resources.
    During preparation of the FEIS, CUWCD consulted formally on listed 
species with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under Sec. 7 of 
the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C.A. sections 1531 to 1544, as 
amended). In a letter dated January 14, 1997, the FWS indicated that 
the Proposed Action Alternative selected by this ROD is not likely to 
adversely affect listed or proposed species or designated or proposed 
critical habitats. CUWCD, the Mitigation Commission and Interior will 
continue to consult with FWS prior to and during construction to avoid 
actions that may affect proposed or listed species or their proposed or 
designated critical habitats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information on matters 
related to this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address 
and telephone number set forth below: Mr. Mark Holden, Program Manager, 
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 
South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, UT 84601, Telephone: (801) 524-3146.

    Dated: April 3, 1997.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-9311 Filed 4-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P