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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />;01)1)1 ~ j <br /> <br />not induce growth in California, Since 1960, use of Colorado River water has been in excess of 5 <br />maffyr in California, including use in excess of I maffyr by MWD, Offstream storage in Arizona <br />to create a future right to request ICUA will help MWD maintain its current level of diversion <br />from the Colorado River or reduce the level of reductions that it may need to make in the future <br />as California reduces its reliance on the Colorado River. Any growth in California will be <br />supported through other means, such as, conservation or supplies available through the California <br />State Water Project. <br /> <br />What cumulative impacts may result from and what indirect effects would be caused by an <br />individual SIRA and its potential significance cannot be determined until an individual SIRA is <br />proposed and its scope analyzed, Reclamation will apply the NEP A process at the earliest <br />possible time during the development of a SIRA to determine what specific action(s) are proposed <br />and the appropriate level of compliance documentation. <br /> <br />No Action Alternative <br /> <br />Under the No Action Alternative Arizona entities may construct additional off stream groundwater <br />storage and other facilities in the future to meet A WBA needs as required by the State to meet <br />objectives of Arizona's Act, California and Nevada may also construct groundwater storage and <br />other facilities to meet their future needs, These State actions are reasonably foreseeable and <br />would occur with and without the Rule. It is possible that California and Nevada could enter into <br />a SIRA to provide for off stream storage, development, and release ofICUA without the Rule, <br />Reclamation would address cumulative impacts of such actions in an appropriate NEP A <br />document on a case-by-case basis, <br /> <br />IV. NEPA COMPLIANCE FOR STORAGE AND INTERSTATE RELEASE <br />AGREEMENTS <br /> <br />The Secretary is responsible for insuring Federal actions taken under the Rule (for example, <br />execution of a SIRA and development and use of ICUA), comply with NEP A, ESA, and other <br />relevant environmental laws, regulations, and executive orders, Appropriate environmental <br />compliance documentation, in accordance with the standards set forth in Reclamation's NEPA <br />Handbook, will be prepared on a case-by-case basis prior to the Secretary's execution of a SIRA, <br />In reviewing a proposed SIRA, the Secretary will consider the following: applicable law and <br />executive orders; applicable contracts; potential effects on trust resources; potential effects on <br />contractors or Federal entitlement holders, including Indian and non-Indian present perfected <br />rights holders and other Indian tribes; potential effects on third parties; potential effects on <br />threatened and endangered species; potential effects on natural and other resources; comments <br />from interested parties, particularly parties who may be affected by the proposed action; potential <br />Environmental Justice concerns; concerns of the Upper Basin States; and other relevant factors, <br />including the direct or indirect consequences ofthe proposed SIRA on the financial interests of <br />the United States. <br /> <br />30 <br />