NEPA and Public Involvement

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that federal agencies engage the public during preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). For the LSARI EIS, Reclamation held a public scoping period in addition to this Draft EIS (DEIS) public comment period. Scoping is the process that continues throughout the planning and early stages of EIS preparation. Agencies use scoping to engage various stakeholders, including state, local, and Native American Tribes and the public in the early identification of affected resources, issues to be considered, and potential alternatives.

Reclamation invited the public to identify issues or alternatives for consideration in the development of the EIS. The 30-day public scoping period ran from May 31, 2023, to June 30, 2023. Reclamation met with attendees at in-person public meetings in Albuquerque, Socorro, and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico on June 20, 21, and 22, 2023, respectively.

During the scoping period, Reclamation received 14 written comment submissions covering various topics, including the purpose and need for the project, the range of design alternatives, and resources such as hydrology, special status species, groundwater, geology and soils, and fish and wildlife. Reclamation reviewed all comments received and published a scoping report.

DEIS Public Comment Period

On November 28, 2025, Reclamation released the DEIS for public comment. Reclamation will consider all comments received during the public comment period when completing the final EIS. Visit the Providing Comments page to see  various ways to submit comments.

This virtual public meeting website is accessible 24 hours a day during the public comment period. Additionally, the public can provide input and participate in the process through two, in-person public meetings held January 7, 2026 and January 8, 2026, 5-7 p.m. MT.

January 7, 2026 - Erna Fergusson Public Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110

January 8, 2026 - Socorro Public Library, 401 Park St, Socorro, New Mexico, 87801

Next Station: Project Overview

For more information on the LSARI EIS, please contact David (Sonny) Cooper, Project Manager (bor-sha-aao-lsari@usbr.gov).

To be added to or removed from the mailing list, please contact Val Stanson (val.stanson@aecom.com).