Chapter IV
Consultation and Coordination
activities and its consultation and coordination with State and Federal
agencies and private organizations during the planning and preparation of
this environmental assessment.
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Chapter IV |
Consultation and Coordination |
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| This chapter describes the Bureau of Reclamation's public involvement activities and its consultation and coordination with State and Federal agencies and private organizations during the planning and preparation of this environmental assessment. |
A public involvement plan was developed to outline a course of action for informing and involving interested publics in the planning and decisionmaking processes associated with water contract renewal. The plan was not developed as a static document, but rather served as a road map for the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) public outreach program, in that it was adapted to respond to changes or evolving issues and to accommodate the needs of the public.
The stated public involvement goals are:
Reclamation initially developed a public involvement plan to prepare a Resource Management Assessment (RMA) to consider alternative ways of managing Solomon River Basin (Basin) resources prior to renewal of water service contracts in the Basin.
The plan outlined three phases of public involvement: the RMA, the National Environ-mental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and the negotiation of new contracts. The plan was written in such a manner as to allow it to be easily adapted to respond to evolving issues and to accommodate the needs of the public.
As a preliminary step to preparing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS), a RMA was initiated. The RMA was designed to describe existing water-related resources in the Basin, develop goals and objectives for management of water-related resources in the Basin, and begin to develop scenarios to meet those goals.
An extensive effort was made initially to notify all potentially interested parties about the Solomon River EIS scoping process and to provide them opportunities to comment. The public was urged to remain active throughout the process and to express their views to Reclamation representatives, civic leaders, local and regional planners, and the media. Reclamation further increased opportunities for public participation through public meetings, news releases, mailings, legal notices, an Internet Web site, and personal contacts with media, organizations, and individuals.
The information-gathering phase of the RMA was initiated with a series of three public meetings held April 8, 9, and 10, 1997, in Beloit, Osborne, and Phillipsburg, Kansas. The public was provided background information on exiting Basin irrigation projects, an overview of current contracts, and an outline of the RMA and contract renewal processes. Public input was solicited to help identify existing resources in the Basin and to offer suggestions on how to best manage them.
Initially, Reclamation attempted to renew contracts for irrigation districts in two separate river basins--the Republican River and Solomon River Basin--at the same time.
Subsequently, Reclamation determined that contract renewal for irrigation districts in the Republican River Basin was complex and would require extensive time and personnel. Subsequently, contract extension legislation was passed that allowed for some irrigation contracts, including those in the Kirwin and Webster Irrigation Districts (Districts), to be extended an additional 4 years. Reclamation then temporarily suspended the contract renewal process for the Districts until the summer of 2001 in order to dedicate its efforts initially to renewing contracts for the districts in the Republican River Basin.
In 1997, when initial public meetings were held, Reclamation planned to complete EIS and RMA documents for the Basin. Reclamation subsequently determined that the time and cost of developing an RMA for the Basin contract renewals was not justified, and that NEPA compliance could be accomplished with an environmental assessment (EA).
To update the public, a newsletter outlining the revised NEPA process was distributed, and Basin contract renewal informational meetings were held January 17 and 18, 2001, in Stockton and Gaylord, Kansas. Following the information session, there was an exchange of dialogue and responses to a number of questions.
Guests at the public meetings also were invited to provide comments. Comments gathered reflect the interest of area residents and the wide range of viewpoints from agricultural-urban-environmental sectors. Resources or issues of public concern generally fell within the following broad categories, as noted earlier:
Acting as lead agency, Reclamation requested the participation of involved agencies that either had jurisdiction by law or interest in Federal reservoir operations in the Basin or related resources in the area. These agencies included:
Reclamation - As the lead agency, Reclamation had the responsibility to manage and ensure that the environmental issues relating to renewal contracts were identified and to ensure compliance with NEPA and other environmental laws. Additionally, Reclamation had the responsibility to ensure that actions conformed to Reclamation laws and current policies.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) - The Service has legal jurisdiction for actions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA). The Service can assist in the biological issues that may be addressed in the renewal contracts. In addition, the Service has management responsibilities for the recreation and wildlife programs at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge.
Natural Resources Conservation Service - The Natural Resources Conservation Service is responsible for administering the Farmland Protection Policy Act, which deals with impacts on prime and unique farmlands and which has special knowledge with regard to identifying and characterizing farmland soils and water and soil conserva-tion. Their participation will facilitate coordination of farmland protection programs and policies.
U.S. Geological Survey - The U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect the quality of life.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) - The Corps has management responsibilities to regulate wetlands.
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) - The KDWP has management responsibilities over Federal- and State-classified threatened and endangered species. KDWP works closely with the Service in developing, implementing, and monitoring fish and wildlife mitigation, enhancement, and protection programs. Their participation will enhance the public's understanding of the efforts of Reclamation action on fish and wildlife resources. The KDWP has the management responsibilities for the recreation and fish and wildlife programs and activities at Webster Reservoir. The agency also has management responsibility for the fisheries program at Kirwin Reservoir.
Kansas Department of Agriculture - Division of Water Resources - The Kansas Department of Agriculture - Division of Water Resources administers the State Water Code for surface water rights and water quality control policy. In addition, they are responsible for issuing permits for altering streambeds.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment develops initiatives on pollution releases, spill cleanup, water resources, pollution prevention, and waste management.
Kansas State Historical Preservation Office - The Kansas State Historical Preservation Office identifies, collects, preserves, interprets, and disseminates material and information pertaining to Kansas history to assist the public in understanding and appreciating their Kansas heritage and how it relates to their lives.
Although the United States is a major manager of water in the Basin, Reclamation operates within the terms and conditions of applicable State water rights permits. State participation facilitates approval of permits if modification of water rights is proposed and if major changes in water quality are affected.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended in 1992) requires Federal agencies to consult with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation concerning potential effects of Federal actions on historic properties. Reclamation met with the State Historic Preservation Office and others concerning cultural properties.
In compliance with the ESA, Reclamation entered into formal consultation with the Service. Reclamation has developed and submitted a biological assessment to the Service in com-pliance with section 7 of the ESA. Consultation with the Service under the FWCA has been ongoing throughout the NEPA process.
Because none of the alternatives include development in the flood plain as described in Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, this action complies with that order. Also, none of the alternatives include development that would affect wetlands. Therefore, the action contemplated here is in compliance with Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.
The action also complies with Executive Order 13186, Protection of Migratory Birds.
Bureau of Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office, 203 West Second Street, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801; telephone (308) 389-4622.
Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Regional Office, 316 North 26th Street, Billings,
Montana 59101; telephone (406) 247-7638
Bureau of Reclamation, McCook Field Office, 1706 W 3rd, McCook, Nebraska 69001; telephone (308) 345-4400.
Kirwin Irrigation District No. 1 and Webster Irrigation District No. 4, 304 First Street, Gaylord, Kansas 67638
Phillipsburg Library, 888 Fourth Street, Phillipsburg, Kansas 67661-1617
Stockton Public Library, 124 North Cedar Street, Stockton, Kansas 67669-1636
Osborne Library, 325 West Main Street, Osborne, Kansas 67473-2425
Smith Center Library, 117 West Court Street, Smith Center, Kansas 66967-2601
Kirwin City Hall, First and Main Street, Kirwin, Kansas 67644
Gaylord City Offices, Main Street, Gaylord, Kansas 67638
www.gp.usbr.gov (Current Activities - Environmental Activities)
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