|
<br />DEPARTMENT
<br />
<br />of the
<br />
<br />INTERIOR
<br />
<br />news release
<br />
<br />For Immediate Release
<br />
<br />Contact: Holloway 303-234-2056
<br />
<br />DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
<br />FILED FOR PROJECT SKYWATER
<br />
<br />Commissioner of Reclamation Gilbert G, Stanm said today a draft program-
<br />
<br />matic Environmental Statement for the Bureau of Reclamation's cloud seeding
<br />
<br />research program, "Project Skywater," has been fUed with the Council on
<br />
<br />Environmental Quality and is available for pubU,c review,
<br />
<br />''The scope of the draft statement is broad," the Commissioner said, ''because,
<br />in addition to cloud physics, the project also is researching the environmental,
<br />social and economic implications of cloud seeding."
<br />
<br />''Nearly all of the environmental research in this new water resource field
<br />has been sponsored by the Bureau, primarily thro>ugh university research groups,
<br />and is reported in the draft statement," Stamm said.
<br />
<br />The statement assesses the environmental iDlplications of past research
<br />programs within the project, current activities and those planned for the
<br />next 5 years, It discusses in detail the High Plains Cooperative Experiment,
<br />a major research effort to refine the technology of enhancing growing-season
<br />rainfall in the High Plains states. It also reviews the environmental effects
<br />of seeding winter mountain weather systems for increased snowpack and resulting
<br />spring runoff,
<br />
<br />Federal and State agencies, environmental organizations and university
<br />groups have been asked to review the statement. In addition, it has been
<br />distributed for public review to dozens of community libraries, university
<br />centers and all state clearinghouses. Interested individuals and organi-
<br />zations should submit their comments on the statement by May 3, 1976. Copies
<br />are available at:
<br />
<br />Office of Assistant to the Commissioner for Ecology, Commissioner's Office,
<br />Bureau of Reclamation, Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240
<br />Division of Engineering Support. Technical Services and Publications Branch,
<br />Engineering and Research Center, Building 67, Denver Federal Center,
<br />Denver, Colorado 80225
<br />
<br />Public hearings will be held at the following places and times:
<br />
<br />Miles Community College, Miles City, Montana, 1:00 p.m., April 19, 1976
<br />Bureau of Reclamation, Auditorium, Building 56, Denver Federal Center,
<br />Denver, Colorado, 1:00 p.m., April 21, 1976
<br />Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Auditorium, 6201 S Street,
<br />Sacramento, California, 1:00 p.m., April 23, 1976
<br />
<br />K-7
<br />
<br />3/11/76
<br />
|