[Federal Register: November 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 215)]
[Notices]
[Page 62778-62779]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06no03-43]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the
Proposed Closure of the Al Black Recreation Area at the Cochiti Dam
Outlet Works in Sandoval County, NM
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District (Corps)
intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
proposed closure of the Al Black Recreation area at the Cochiti Dam
Outlet Works in Sandoval County, NM.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ernest Jahnke, U.S., Army Corps of
Engineers, 4101 Jefferson Plaza, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 342-
3416.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps, the Cochiti de Pueblo (Pueblo),
and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are investigating modifying the
easement for the operation of the Cochiti Dam Outlet Works/Al Black
Recreation Area. Specifically, the recreation easement would be
rescinded but the Corps would retain the original dam operation and
maintenance easement. Public access to the recreation area would no
longer be allowed. All public-oriented facilities and other amenities
that have no bearing on operation or maintenance of the Outlet Works
would be removed and surplused or disposed of following Federal
guidelines. The Corps would restore the site as prescribed by the
Pueblo. The Cochiti Dam Outlet Works operation and maintenance easement
granted to the Corps would remain in effect. Corps, Middle Rio Grande
Conservancy District, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) personnel
would have access to the area for operation and maintenance purposes.
Members of the Pueblo would continue to access the area for religious
and cultural ceremonies. This Federal action would satisfy a November
8, 2001, understanding between the Corps, Pueblo and BIA.
[[Page 62779]]
Construction of the Cochiti Dam and Lake (Project) was authorized
for flood and sediment control in the Upper Rio Grande Basin by the
Flood Control Act of 1960 (Pub. L. 86-645). Various Pueblo/Corps lease
agreements defined the use and management of the Project land owned by
the Pueblo including Corps construction of public use recreation
facilities at various locations that the Pueblo would operate and
maintain. In a lease amendment dated June 12, 1984, the Pueblo
transferred the operation and maintenance of the Outlet Channel Area/Al
Black Recreation Area to the Corps.
All private interests and Federal, State, local agencies, and
tribes having an interest in the project are hereby notified of the
proposed action and are invited to comment at this time. The scoping
process will consist of public notification to explain and describe the
proposed action, early identification of resources that should be
considered during the study, and public review periods. Coordination
with the public and with other agencies will be carried out through
public announcements, letters, report review periods telephone
conversations, and meetings.
The Corps prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment on the proposed
action and held a public meeting on August 28, 2003 in Rio Rancho, NM.
Additional information and evidence gathered during that meeting and
expressed public resistance to establishing a recreation facility at
Pena Blanca, NM resulted in the decision to prepare an EIS for the
proposed action. All Federal, State and local agencies, affected Indian
tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties will be
notified of the meeting and will be provided copies of the Draft EIS
(DEIS) for comment.
Significant issues to be discussed in the DEIS include the
alternatives analysis for the possible relocation of the Al Black
Recreation Area and other avenues for replacing lost recreation
opportunities incurred as a result of the proposed action.
The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Albuquerque District. Cooperating agency status has not been
assigned, nor requested, by any other agency.
The EIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and will
address the project's relationship to all other applicable Federal and
State laws and Executive Orders.
Scoping meetings will be held in Pe[ntilde]a Blanca, Albuquerque
and other locations as deemed necessary. Specific information regarding
location and time of the meetings will be published in local
newspapers. It is anticipated that the DEIS will be available for
public review and comment by February 1, 2004.
Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-27977 Filed 11-9-03; 8:45 am]