[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 36712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17144]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Assistant Secretary--Water and Science
[FES 99-25]
Central Utah Project Completion Act; Diamond Fork System,
Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project
AGENCIES: The Department of the Interior (Department); the Central Utah
Water Conservancy District (CUWCD); and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation
and Conservation Commission (Mitigation Commission).
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Supplement to the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FS-FEIS).
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Department, CUWCD, and the
Mitigation Commission, have issued a joint Final Supplement to the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FS-FEIS) for the Diamond Fork
System, Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project. The FS-FEIS addresses
potential impacts related to construction and operation of the features
proposed for completing the Diamond Fork System. The FS-FEIS is
intended to satisfy disclosure requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will serve as the NEPA compliance
document for contracts, agreements and permits that would be required
for construction and operation of the Diamond Fork System. The
Department, CUWCD, and Mitigation Commission will use the FS-FEIS and
other relevant materials to plan actions and make decisions.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Diamond Fork System is one of six systems of the Bonneville
Unit of the Central Utah Project that would develop central Utah's
water resources for irrigation, municipal and industrial supply, fish
and wildlife, and recreation. It was first identified in the Bonneville
Unit Final EIS in 1973, described in detail in the Diamond Fork Power
System Final EIS in 1984, and in the Diamond Fork System Final
Supplement to the Final EIS in 1990. The Diamond Fork System has been
modified over the years and has been partially constructed. Additional
modifications to the System were proposed in the Spanish Fork Canyon--
Nephi Irrigation System (SFN) Draft EIS in 1998. A notice was published
in the Federal Register on October 14, 1998, announcing the Department,
CUWCD, and Mitigation Commission's intent to discontinue planning of
the SFN system and to prepare the Diamond Fork FS-FEIS.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action would: (1) Maintain the statutorily mandated
minimum flows in Diamond Fork Creek and Sixth Water Creek; (2)
implement the Department's environmental commitments on the Diamond
Fork Pipeline from the 1995 Record of Decision; (3) meet the CUWCD's
Municipal and Industrial water contractual commitments to Salt Lake,
Utah and Wasatch counties; and (4) provide the Mitigation Commission
the opportunity and flexibility for future restoration of aquatic and
riparian habitat in Sixth Water and Diamond Fork creeks to protect
water quality and threatened species in Diamond Fork Creek. The Diamond
Fork System would be completed by constructing a series of tunnels and
pipelines to convey water through the mountainous terrain of Diamond
Fork Canyon and various Diamond Fork drainage tributary canyons in the
Uinta National Forest. The features would include Tanner Ridge Tunnel,
Diamond Fork Siphon, Red Mountain Tunnel, Red Hollow Pipeline, Diamond
Fork Creek Outlet, Spanish Fork River Outlet from Diamond Fork
Pipeline, modifications to Spanish Fork River diversion dams if
necessary, and other appurtenant facilities.
No Action Alternative
Implementation of the No Action Alternative under the FS-FEIS would
complete the Diamond Fork System if a decision were made not to proceed
with future development of the Bonneville Unit through the Utah Lake
Drainage Basin Water Delivery System. The features of the No Action
Alternative would include Three Forks Dam and Reservoir, Diamond Fork
Pipeline Extension, and Spanish Fork River Outlet.
Public Involvement
Participation has occurred throughout the EIS process. There have
been numerous open houses, public meetings, and mail-outs to solicit
comments and ideas. Comments received through the process have been
considered. A Notice of Intent to prepare the FS-FEIS was published
October 14, 1998, in the Federal Register (98-27483). Publication of
the Record of Decision will occur no sooner than 30 days from the date
of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional copies of the FS-FEIS or
information on matters related to this notice can be obtained on
request from: Ms. Nancy Hardman, Central Utah Water Conservancy
District, 355 West University Parkway, 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 University Parkway,
Orem, Utah 84058
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500
South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
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
Dated: July 1, 1999.
Ronald Johnston,
CUPCA Program Director, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 99-17144 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
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