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-'. '. .1 Federal Register/Vol. 64. No. 1/Monday. January 4. 1999/Notices 179 Recommended Action-This alternative recommended constructing ALP in two phases, providing a total water depletion of 149,220 af and is described in the 1996 FSFES. Initial project water depletions were limited to 57,100 af (Phase I. Stage A) due to the Service's Biological Opinion on endangered fish species. The total water depletion of 149,220 afwould have required additional consultation with the Service. e. Administration Proposal with an Alternative Water Supply for Non-Ute Entities-This alternative will consider supplying non-Ute M&I water (Le. Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District, San Juan Water Commission, and Navajo Nation) from sources other than the proposed Ridges Basin Reservoir. f. Citizens Progressive Alliance Proposal-This proposal would allow the Ute Tribes to lease water instream based on the water amounts in the Settlement Agreement. The economic value of such instream leasing would be calculated on the value of leaving Animas River water instream and based on hydropower production, lower levels of salinity, and other benefits included in the authorized plan. g. No Action Alternative-Under this alternative, the project would not be constructed. As a result. the Settlement Act would not be fulfilled. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe could initiate either litigation or negotiation with non-Indian water users and the United States to resolve their water rights claims on rivers flowing through their respective reservations. including the Animas and La Plata Rivers. Tribal development of natural resources or other economic development tied to water use would likely be delayed until the Tribes' water claims were settled. Conflicts could exist between the Indian and non-Indian communities in the area. Existing water uses would likely continue during litigation or negotiation. However, development of new water storage or delivery facilities by private, state, or Tribal entities would likely be deferred until those water rights claims were resolved. 2. Type of Analysis-Pending public input. Reclamation intends that the Administration Proposal and each of the alternatives described above undergo an analysis beginning with a threshold assessment ofthe alternative's capability to accomplish the project's purpose. The following items will then be analyzed as appropriate. Any new or updated information from that contained in the 1980 FES and the 1996 FSFES will be evaluated and included in this supplement. a. Direct and Ind irect Impacts- Reclamation intends to evaluate the direct and indirect impacts the Administration Proposal and alternatives may have on the affected environment including wetlands, water quality, recreational activities. wildlife habitat and aquatic resources, geology. cultural resources. and endangered species. This assessment would also examine the indirect impacts of potential end uses of project water. An assessment of options to avoid or minimize environmental impacts will also be a focus of the analysis. b. Connected Actions-These actions include those closely related to the Administration Proposal or other alternatives being reviewed, They are typically either automatically triggered by, dependent upon. or interdependent with the subject action. Examples of current connected actions which Reclamation intends to analyze include (i) reoperation of Navajo Dam and Reservoir and (ii) relocation of gas pipelines. c. Cumulative Impacts-These impacts arise from the incremental impact a proposed action or alternative has on the environment when added to other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future actions. Cumulative impacts which Reclamation intends to consider depending upon the action or alternative being reviewed include (i) the cumulative effects of ALP and other actions on endangered species; and (ii) water development opportunities for other communities in the San Juan River basin (e.g. completion of the Navajo Ind ian Irrigation Project). d. Compliance with Other Laws- Reclamation will comply with all environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. in the preparation of the DSEIS. e. Cost Estimate-Although not intended to be a focus of in-depth analysis. the supplemental analysis will discuss the estimated overall costs attributable to each alternative. Public Scoping Scoping meetings will be held in Durango, Colorado: Farmington, New Mexico; and Denver, Colorado in early February of 1999 for the purpose of obtaining public input on the significant issues related to the proposed action. The schedule and locations for the meetings are shown below. The public is especially asked to provide input on the following: 1. Whether the overall range of alternatives is appropriate. The Administration Proposal was developed in response to the alternatives . developed during the Romer-Schoettle process, both of which are included in the range of alternatives to be considered. 2. Identification of significant issues related to the proposed action. Schedule of Scoping Meetings A series of meetings will be conducted in Colorado and New Mexico. Each will begin with a one hour open house where the public can informally discuss issues and ask questions of staff and managers. The open house will be followed by a more formal scoping hearing in which each participant will be given time to make official comments. Speakers will be given five minutes for their comments. These comments will be formally recorded. Speakers are encouraged to provide written versions of their oral comments. and any other additional written materials, for the record. Comments may also be sent directly to the Bureau of Reclamation's Southern Division of the Western Colorado Area Office in Durango. Colorado. Written comments should be received by . February 19. 1999. to be most effective considered. Dates of Scoping Meetings . February 2. 1999. 6-9 p.m.. DoubleTree Hotel. Main Ballroom. 501 Camino Del Rio. Durango. Colorado . February 3. 1999. 6-9 p.m.. San Juan College, Henderson Fine Arts Cen'er. Room 10. 4601 College Boulevard. Farmington. New Mexico . February 4. 1999.6-9 p.m.. Colorado Convention Center, Room A20I. 700 14th Street. Denver. Colorado Dated: December 29, 1998. Eluid L. Martinez, Commissioner. [FR Doc. 98-34818 Filed 12-31-98: 8:45 ami BILLING CODE 431D-94-p DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Notice of Proposed Information Collection AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. DOl. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. . SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation