News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Information Meetings on Proposed Rule Regarding Use of lower Colorado River Water Without an Entitlement

Media Contact: Robert Walsh , 702.293.8421 , 08/19/2008 19:11
Ruth Thayer , 702.293.8426, rthayer@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: August 19, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation will hold five public meetings in lower Colorado River communities the week of August 25, 2008, to provide information and answer questions about its proposed rule to regulate the use of lower Colorado River water without an entitlement.

The meeting dates, locations and times are:

* August 25: Laughlin, Nev., at the Edgewater Casino, 2020 S. Casino Drive, in the Taos 1 and Taos 2 conference rooms, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;

* August 27: Parker, Ariz., at the Bluewater Casino, 11300 Resort Drive, in the Hopi/Chemehuevi meeting rooms, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.;

* August 27: Blythe, Calif., at the Comfort Inn conference room at 545 E. Hobson Way, from 2:00 pm. to 4:00 p.m.; and

* August 28: Yuma, Ariz., at the Quartermaster Depot, 201 N. 4th Avenue, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.

"We encourage well owners and river pumpers along the lower Colorado River, as well as other interested parties, to attend one of these meetings so they will fully understand the purpose and goals of this rule-making," said Lorri Gray, Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region Director.

"A primary goal is to legalize the use of this water so it can be properly accounted for," she added. "We believe that most, if not all of the estimated 9,000 to 15,000 acre-feet of water being unlawfully used can be legalized through the development of new contracts, by making a user a customer of an existing entitlement holder, or through some other means."

The meetings are informational only; Reclamation is not seeking and will not capture oral comments about the proposed rule at these meetings. Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to Reclamation on or before September 15, 2008, via e-mail or U.S. mail.

A copy of the proposed rule and maps showing the aquifer boundary within which a well is presumed to be using Colorado River water can be viewed on Reclamation's web site at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/unlawfuluse.html . The rule is identified by the number 1006-AA50.

To submit comments by e-mail, please follow the instructions on the Federal rulemaking web site, http://www.regulations.gov, using Docket ID: BOR-2008-0001.

Comments submitted by mail should be sent to: Bureau of Reclamation, Attention: BCOO-1000, P. O. Box 61470, Boulder City, NV 89006-1470. The rule identification number 1006-AA50 and the Docket ID (BOR-2008-0001) should be included in all correspondence.

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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.