The Bureau of Reclamation will provide a second comment period on draft requirements for water-related contracting activities for 90 days beginning in January. The extended comment period on the first phase of review – open for public comment since late September – expires today.

Reclamation is reviewing comments received to date and will incorporate appropriate changes in updated drafts, which will be available for additional review when the new 90-day comment period begins. Once the public comment period is reopened, Reclamation will participate in a variety of meetings and forums with stakeholders and others to provide information and address questions on the draft requirements.

The requirements were included in four draft releases published for review on September 29. As a result of significant interest, the comment period was extended for an additional 30 days on October 27. Reclamation provided additional information on the draft requirements in multiple forums; summaries of the draft updates continue to be available at http://on.doi.gov/rMciUA. The original four draft releases include:

• Draft RM Policy Water-Related Contract and Repayment General Principles and Requirements (PEC P05).
• Draft RM D&S Water Rates and Pricing (PEC 05-01).
• Draft RM Policy Transfers and Conversions of Project Water (PEC 09).
• Draft RM D&S Conversions of Project Water from Irrigation Use to Municipal and Industrial Use (PEC 09-01)

The Reclamation Manual establishes Reclamation requirements, assigns program responsibility and establishes and documents Reclamation methods of doing business. To learn more about the Reclamation Manual, please visit www.usbr.gov/recman.

Any questions on the draft requirements may be directed to Owen Walker at owalker@usbr.gov.