[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 104] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-33344] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science; Central Utah Project Completion Act; Upalco 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 96-51. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Upalco Replacement Project (Upalco). The Draft EIS consists of a proposed action and alternatives to construct a combination of features that will develop water supplies for the Upalco Unit of the Central Utah Project in the Unita 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 Upalco Unit to develop resources of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, provide early and late season irrigation water, provide municipal water supplies, 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, municipal and industrial water, 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 March 4, 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:Wednesday, February 5, 1997, 6:00 p.m., Altamont High School Auditorium, Highway 87 (North Side), Altamont, Utah. Thursday, February 6, 1997, 6:00 p.m., Salt Lake County Commission Chambers, Room N1100, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Tuesday, February 11, 1997, 1:00 p.m., Ute Tribal Auditorium, Ute Tribal Headquarters, Fort Duchesne, Utah. The public hearings are being held to address the Draft EIS for the proposed Upalco 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, January 31, 1997. ADDRESSES: 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 CONTACT: Additional copies of the Draft EIS, copies of the resources technical reports, 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: December 27, 1996. Ronald Johnston, CUPCA Program Director, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. 96-33344 Filed 12-31-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P