News Release Archive

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Available for Public Review

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

For Release: September 01, 2005

CARLSBAD, N.M. - A draft environmental impact statement to assess the impact of proposed changes in Carlsbad Project water operations and water acquisition in the Pecos River Basin is now available for public review.

The proposed changes in water operations are designed to conserve the Pecos bluntnose shiner and its habitat as well as the Carlsbad Project water supply.

The Carlsbad Project Water Operations and Water Supply DEIS released Thursday includes a description of alternative means of implementing the proposed action and presents an evaluation of the environmental, economic, and social consequences that could result from implementing the alternatives.

Carlsbad Project operations include diverting water to storage and releasing water for delivery to water users in the Carlsbad Irrigation District. Reclamation must ensure that Carlsbad Project operations comply with the Endangered Species Act.

Copies of the DEIS are available for public inspection at Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office, Carlsbad Irrigation District office, Albuquerque Public Library (main branch), Carlsbad Public Library, Fort Sumner Public Library, Moise Memorial Library in Santa Rosa, Roswell Public Library, Santa Fe Public Library and the New Mexico State Library in Santa Fe. It can also be accessed on Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office Web site. The public review and comment period will end on Oct. 31, 2005. Questions about the technical aspects of the project can be directed to Marsha Carra at Reclamation's Albuquerque Area Office (505) 462-3602.

Public meetings will be held from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. on the following dates at these locations:

• September 19, 2005 - Bureau of Land Management Conference Room, 2909 West 2nd Street, Roswell, New Mexico
• September 20, 2005 - Pecos River Village Conference Center, Room 3, 711 Muscatel, Carlsbad, New Mexico
• September 21, 2005 - Village Community House, 204 North 4th Street, Ft. Sumner, New Mexico
• September 22, 2005 - City Hall Meeting Room, 141 5th Street, Santa Rosa, New Mexico

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