[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10405-10406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4606]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation


Navajo Unit, Colorado River Storage Project, Colorado-New Mexico

agency: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

action: Notice of environmental scoping meetings.

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summary: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and agency 
policy, the Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with the Biology 
Committee for the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program, will 
hold three environmental scoping meetings in March. The purpose of the 
meetings is to obtain public comment on a proposal to reduce winter 
flow releases from Navajo Dam. The Biology Committee has recommended 
that winter (November 1 through February 28) flow releases be reduced 
from 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 250 cfs, beginning in the 
winter of 1995. This reduced flow reflects average winter flows prior 
to the construction of Navajo Dam (1931-1962). This flow reduction is 
expected to result in a 600-650 cfs flow at Bluff, Utah. If unusually 
dry conditions occur, river flows would not be allowed to go below 500 
cfs at that point in the river. The reduction in wintertime flows will 
allow more water to be stored during winter periods, provide a greater 
potential for the occurrence of spring spills, and a longer duration of 
those spills. These seasonal flood events are assumed to be beneficial 
to the maintenance of downstream endangered fish populations.

dates: The scoping meetings will be held on: [[Page 10406]] 
    <bullet> March 1, 1995, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Shiprock, New 
Mexico.
    <bullet> March 2, 1995, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Farmington, New 
Mexico.
    <bullet> March 3, 1995, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., in Bluff, Utah.
    At each location, an informational open house will be held from 
6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation on the proposed action 
and an open discussion of points of interest. The public is invited. 
The Bureau of Reclamation assures meeting accessibility to persons with 
disabilities. To request special assistance prior to the meetings, 
please contact Errol Jensen in the Durango Office at (303) 385-6570 3 
days prior to the March meetings.

addresses: The meetings will be held at the following locations:
    <bullet> Central Consolidated School Administration Office 
Boardroom, Shiprock, New Mexico
    <bullet> City Council Chambers, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, 
New Mexico
    <bullet> Recapture Lodge, Highway 191, Bluff, Utah

for further information contact: The contact person for the 
environmental scoping effort is Errol Jensen, Bureau of Reclamation, 
Durango Office, PO Box 640, Durango CO 81302, telephone (303) 385-6570. 
Written comments regarding the proposed action, and requests to be 
included on a mailing list may be sent to this address.

supplementary information: A variety of downstream resources and 
entities which may be potentially affected by this reduction in 
releases would be assessed and, if needed, monitored during the winter. 
Possible effects on the downstream tailwater trout fishery, native fish 
populations, downstream water right holders, wintering bald eagles, 
waterfowl populations, crop depredation, livestock trespass, streamside 
wetland/riparian habitats, and dilution of contaminants are issues 
which have been initially identified. To the extent possible, flow-
related effects on downstream endangered fishes (Colorado squawfish and 
razorback sucker) will also be assessed.

    Dated: February 16, 1995.
Charles A. Calhoun,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-4606 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
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