Reclamation has completed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction and operation of a 16-mile reclaimed water pipeline in the municipalities of Mesa and Gilbert. The pipeline will link the Greenfield and Southeast Water Reclamation Plants to the Highland Canal on the Gila River Indian Community. Reclaimed water will be mixed with water from the Roosevelt Water Conservation District Canal and groundwater in the Highland Canal and applied to farmland in the Santan Ranches area of the Community.

The proposed project is being carried out by the City of Mesa in order to execute the terms of a Reclaimed Water Delivery Agreement, which will allow the Gila River Indian Community to exchange a portion of its Central Arizona Project water allocation in return for reclaimed water provided by Mesa.

Public involvement for the project included three open house meetings conducted by representatives of the City of Mesa and Town of Gilbert. On May 14, 2005, a scoping document was distributed to potentially affected individuals, organizations, and agencies. A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was distributed for a 30-day public review period on August 8, 2005. The draft EA was also available on the City of Mesa's website. There will be no changes to the draft EA.

Reclamation has determined that construction and operation of the pipeline will not significantly impact the environment, and a FONSI is appropriate. A copy of the FONSI and EA are available on the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/.

Questions may be directed to Mr. John McGlothlen of the Environmental Resource Management Division, at (602) 216-3866.