News Release Archive

Environmental Impact Statement Available on Miscellaneous Purpose Contract

Media Contact: Mary Perea Carlson, (505) 462-3576, mperea@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: July 21, 2006

The final environmental impact statement (EIS) on a long-term miscellaneous purposes contract between Reclamation and the Carlsbad Irrigation District is now available for review.

The EIS was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission as a joint lead agency.

The purpose of the proposed federal action is to allow the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to use Carlsbad Project water for purposes other than irrigation, specifically for delivery to Texas. As a member of the Carlsbad Irrigation District, the Interstate Stream Commission seeks to use project water in order to maintain long-term compliance with the Pecos River Compact and the United States Supreme Court Amended Decree in Texas v. New Mexico.

The document can be viewed at the Bureau of Reclamation office in Albuquerque at 555 Broadway NE or online at http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/library/eis/carlsbad/cmpc.html.

A 30-day review period for the final environmental impact statement ends on August 21, 2006. Comments and responses gathered by Reclamation as well as the final environmental impact statement will be considered in determining whether to implement the proposed action.

Reclamation and the Carlsbad Irrigation District have previously entered into three short-term miscellaneous purposes contracts.

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