Meetings will be held in Salida, Pueblo, La Junta and Lamar, Colo. There will be two meetings in Pueblo. For dates, times and locations, please visit the website at www.usbr.gov/avceis. The hearings will include an open house, presentation, question and answer forum, and an opportunity for oral comments from the public. The schedule for evening meetings is 6:30 pm open house and exhibits, 7:00 pm presentation with questions and answers, and 7:30 pm hearing. The afternoon meeting starts at 1 pm with the open house and exhibits, 1:30 pm presentation with questions and answers, and 2 pm hearing.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Reclamation is analyzing three proposed federal actions for the AVC and Master Contract that would tie into its Fryingpan-Arkansas water project. The Draft EIS summarizes the analyses to date and can be accessed via the aforementioned website.

"Public comments are a key component to our environmental compliance process," said Mike Ryan, Regional Director for Reclamation's Great Plains Region.

Comments outside of the hearings must be sent to the attention of J. Signe Snortland, Reclamation Environmental Specialist, via mail or e-mail at Bureau of Reclamation, Dakotas Area Office, PO Box 1017, Bismarck ND 58502; or jsnortland@usbr.gov.

For more information please contact Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326 or klamb@usbr.gov.