The San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District is proposing repair of Ashurst-Hayden Diversion Dam and construction of a sediment processing and storage facility near the town of Florence in Pinal County, Arizona. The 88-year-old dam diverts Gila River water into a system of irrigation canals that serves lands within the District and the Gila River Indian Community. Proper functioning of the diversion dam and associated headworks is necessary to regulate flows entering the canal system. Under the project, the District also plans to construct a new facility to remove sediment that otherwise would clog the irrigation system and impede water deliveries. The project is being funded by the Bureau of Reclamation.

In accordance with provisions under Title II of the Arizona Water Settlements Act, Reclamation will prepare an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the anticipated environmental impacts of the project. Input from the public is desired to aid in the identification of key issues and possible alternatives related to the proposed project that should be considered in the EA.

Information regarding the proposed project can be found in the Public Scoping Notice, which can be obtained by calling Reclamation's Environmental Resource Management Division at (623) 773-6251, by e-mailing rkonst@usbr.gov , or by downloading it from the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/

Comments should be mailed to John McGlothlen at the Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, PXAO-1500, 6150 West Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, AZ. 85306-4001or faxed to (623) 773-6481, no later than March 18, 2010. Questions may be directed to Mr. McGlothlen at (623) 773-6256.