News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Available on Upper Rio Grande

Media Contact: Mary Perea, (505) 462-3576, 01/20/2006 21:04

For Release: January 20, 2006

Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office announced today that a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the impacts of proposed changes in water operations of federal facilities in the upper Rio Grande basin is available for public review.

This DEIS prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission is aimed at formulating a plan for future water operations at ten water operations facilities in the upper Rio Grande basin. The proposed changes in operations must be within the existing authorities of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Army Corps of Engineers and New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

The DEIS presents alternatives that include changing waiver dates at Heron Reservoir, changing channel capacity below Abiquiu and Cochiti, allowing storage of Rio Grande water in authorized San Juan-Chama space in Abiquiu Reservoir and allowing varying degrees of diversion to the Low Flow Conveyance Channel. The DEIS summarizes the environmental, economic and social effects of these alternatives.

The document is available for review at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 555 Broadway NE, Suite 100, Albuquerque, New Mexico or online at http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/urgwops/. Comments will be accepted until March 21, 2006.

Eight public meetings will be held to gather public input on the DEIS. All meetings will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the dates and locations listed below.

  • Feb. 21, 2006: International Boundary and Water Commission, 4171 N. Mesa, El Paso, Texas
  • Feb. 22, 2006: Mesilla Valley Inn, 901 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • Feb. 23, 2006: Ranchers Steak House, 606 North California St., Socorro, New Mexico
  • Feb. 28, 2006: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • March 1, 2006: Radisson Hotel, 750 N. St. Francis , Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • March 2, 2006: Espanola Public Library-Richard Lucero Center, 313 N. Paseo de Onate, Espanola, New Mexico
  • March 8, 2006: Corps of Engineers Abiquiu Reservoir Office, Highway 95, Abiquiu, New Mexico
  • March 9, 2006: U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, 101 S. Craft Drive, Alamosa, Colorado

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.