[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 43, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 43CFR426.22]

[Page 629-630]
 
                    TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR
 
      CHAPTER I--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 
PART 426--ACREAGE LIMITATION RULES AND REGULATIONS (Eff. 1-1-98)--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 426.22  Public participation.

    (a) Notification of contract actions. Except for proposed contracts 
having a duration of 1 year or less for the sale of surplus water or 
interim irrigation water, Reclamation will:
    (1) Provide notice of proposed irrigation or amendatory irrigation 
contract actions 60-calendar days prior to contract execution by 
publishing announcements in general circulation newspapers in the 
affected area;
    (2) Issue announcements in the form of news releases, legal notices, 
official letters, memoranda, or other forms of written material; and
    (3) Directly notify individuals and entities who made a timely 
written request for such notice to the appropriate Reclamation regional 
or local office.
    (b) Notification of modification of a proposed contract. In the 
event that modifications are made to a proposed contract the regional 
director must:
    (1) Provide copies of revised proposed contracts to all parties who 
requested copies of the proposed contract in response to the initial 
notice; and
    (2) Determine whether or not to republish the notice or to extend 
the comment period. The regional director must consider, among other 
factors:
    (i) The significance of the impact(s) of the modification to 
possible affected parties; and
    (ii) The interest expressed by the public over the course of 
contract negotiations.
    (c) Information that Reclamation will include in published 
announcements. Each published announcement will include, as appropriate:
    (1) A brief description of the proposed contract terms and 
conditions being negotiated;
    (2) Date, time, and place of meetings, workshops, or hearings;
    (3) The address and telephone number to which inquiries and comments 
may be addressed to Reclamation; and

[[Page 630]]

    (4) The period of time during which Reclamation will accept 
comments.
    (d) Public availability of proposed contracts. Anyone can get copies 
of a proposed contract from the appropriate regional director or his or 
her designated public contact when the proposed contracts become 
available for review and comment, as specified in the published 
announcement.
    (e) Opportunities for public participation. (1) Reclamation can 
provide, as appropriate: meetings, workshops, or hearings to provide 
local information. Advance notice of meetings, workshops, or hearings 
will be provided to those parties who make timely written request for 
such notice. Request for notice of meetings, workshops, or hearings 
should be sent to the appropriate Reclamation regional or local office.
    (2) Reclamation or the district can invite the public to observe any 
contract proceedings.
    (3) All public participation procedures will be coordinated with 
those involved with National Environmental Policy Act compliance, if 
Reclamation determines that the contract action may or will have 
``significant'' environmental effects.
    (f) Individuals authorized to negotiate the terms of contract 
proposals. Only persons authorized to act on behalf of the district may 
negotiate the terms and conditions of a specific contract proposal.
    (g) Agency use of comments submitted during the period provided for 
comment or made at hearings. (1) Reclamation will review and summarize 
for use by the contract approving authority, testimony presented at any 
public hearing or any written comments submitted to the appropriate 
Reclamation officials at locations and within the comment period, as 
specified in the advance published announcement.
    (2) Reclamation will make available to the public all written 
correspondence regarding proposed contracts under the terms and 
procedures of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended.