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<br />tJ <br />.. <br />C'\2 <br />~, <br /> <br />The guidance memo also directs the Bureau of Reclamation to prepare an <br />Environmental Impact Statement on the alternatives prepared in the Central <br />Arizona Water Control Study (CAWCS). The alternative identified as the proposed <br />action was Plan 6 (New Wadde1, Cliff, Roosevelt, and Reconstructed Stewart <br />Mountain Dams) but Plans 1, 2, 3, and 7 are to also be analyzed in detail as <br />required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). (See attached <br />memorandum. ) <br /> <br />': <br /> <br />t,;, <br /> <br />"The logic for selection of Plan 6 as the proposed action is the strong <br />local support, the functional ability to meet statutory obligations required by <br />authorizing legislation, and the fact that impacts on the Fort McDowell Indian <br />Tribe are avoided," Watt said. <br /> <br />Watt also described the status of the Tucson Aqueduct. "Planning for the <br />Tucson Aqueduct began in 1978 but was divided into two phases in 1980: Phase A <br />consists of facilities which will convey water from Phoenix to a point near the <br />City of Ri1lito; Phase B consists of alternatives to deliver water to the City <br />of Tucson and beyond." <br />, <br /> <br />Watt's memo said, "Planning for Phase A is nearing completion and a draft <br />Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared for public review. Upon <br />completion of public review and filing of the Final Environmental Impact <br />Statement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, planning will be <br />complete and a decision can be made with respect to Phase A." <br /> <br />For water deliveries to the City of Tucson, Watt concluded "that it is <br />appropriate to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in conjunction with <br />Phase B planning studies. The early planning with evaluate alternatives and <br />issues associated with capacity (size)) terminus locations, energy use, cost, <br />water needs, user dist.ribution systems, and environmental impacts. <br /> <br />"For purposes of cont inuing planning and envi ronment a1 study act ivi ties, it <br />is appropriate for an agency to select a preferred alternative or proposed <br />action. Consequently, the Bureau of Reclamation planning activities with <br />respect to the Tucson Aqueduct should identify as the proposed action: <br />conveyance facilities sized to accommodate flows between 750-800 cubic feet per <br />second, regulatory storage, appurtenant service facilities, and proposed <br />terminus located near the south boundary of the San Xavier Indian Reservation." <br /> <br />Both Watt and Broadbent emphasized that there are a number of prerequisite <br />studies to be completed including "sound engineering and financial evaluations, <br />and full disc 10sure of environmental impacts." The studies are also contingent <br />on Congressional appropriations. <br /> <br />"Requests to Congress for funds will be made for these several activities <br />in accord with our overall Reclamation Program and the President's plan for <br />economic recovery," Watt said. <br /> <br />The memorandum from Secretary Watt to Commissioner Broadbent on the project <br />is attached. <br /> <br />x <br /> <br />x <br /> <br />x <br /> <br />~ page(s) of enclosure <br />follow <br /> <br />]NT 450-82 <br />111111 1ll11ll11IIHlII <br />