Providing Scoping Comments

Reclamation is requesting public scoping comments on the VRSMP Environmental Impact Statement during the public scoping period from July 11, 2025 to August 13, 2025.

To be most helpful, comments need to be as specific as possible. Substantive comments are those that:

• Provide new information about the proposed project;

• Identify a different way to meet the project purpose and need;

• Suggest alternate methodologies for analysis and the reason(s) why they should be used, or;

• Make factual corrections, or identify sources of credible research or data.

Comments that are less helpful and considered non-substantive are those that:

• Vote in favor of or against the proposed project;

• Agree or disagree with agency policy without justification or supporting data;

• Do not pertain to the project area or the proposed project, or;

• Contain vague, open-ended questions.

Ways to Comment

The public scoping period ends August 13, 2025. Comments must be submitted/postmarked by August 13, 2025. The public can submit written comments via the following methods:

• Via email: VRSMP@usbr.gov

• Via postal mail:

  • Bureau of Reclamation

    Phoenix Area Office

    ATTN: VRSMP EIS

    6150 West Thunderbird Road

    Glendale, AZ 85306-4001

• Through the comment form directly below on this website.

Scoping Comment Form

We would like to hear from you about what issues you believe need to be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. You may want to discuss particular places or resources. We have included a few questions that may help you formulate some comments. Even though we have included these questions, we welcome all of your comments and do not intend to limit your thoughts and/or suggestions.

• Considering the preliminary planning, are there issues that should be considered?

• Are there guidelines and criteria the Bureau of Reclamation should use?

• Are there any project goals you don’t agree with? Why?

• Are there specific places in the project area that you feel should be excluded? Or are there specific places outside of the project area that should be included? And why?

• Does the proposal miss any important considerations or conditions?

• Is there any information that you feel is missing or misrepresented in the proposal?

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment submission, please be advised that the entire submission, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While a commenter may request that Reclamation withhold personal identifying information from public review, Reclamation cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

Previous Station: NEPA and Public Involvement

For more information on the VRSMP Feasib ility Report and EIS, please visit Reclamation’s project website, or email VRSMP@usbr.gov. If you would like to receive email notifications and updates on the VRSMP, please email VRSMP@usbr.gov with subject line "Add me to Email List.”