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<br />o <br />o <br /><:> <br />v~ <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />Response: <br /> <br />26. Comment: <br /> <br />Response: <br /> <br />27. Comment: <br /> <br />Response: <br /> <br />28. Comment: <br /> <br />diversion project below Mexican Hat, UT-does Reclamation have to <br />ensure enough water for this project? <br />Basic water right law would indicate that junior water rights must honor <br />senior water rights; however, between states some type of interstate <br />compact would be needed to implement this, Reclamation does not have <br />an obligation to provide Navajo Reservoir water to Lake Powell, Navajo <br />Reservoir authorized purposes do not include providing water to Lake <br />Powell, Overall basin water supply is controlled by the Colorado River <br />Compact and the Upper Colorado River Compact, which restricts New <br />Mexico, Colorado, and Utah depletions, Therefore, some water has to <br />travel to Lake Powell-depending on annual hydrology, <br /> <br />The "new" diversion project referred to is work being done by the Navajo <br />Nation to combine two existing diversions into one new diversion, This is <br />not a new water use and will result in no additional depletions, <br /> <br />What happens if the test is stopped-where does the Navajo EIS (on long- <br />term operations) data come from? <br />If there is not a low flow test (No Action alternative in the EA), the Navajo <br />operations EIS will still be completed, based on the best available existing <br />data, Data would depend more on modeling than actual observations; <br />however, a 250 cfs winter release test has previously been completed and <br />that study will provide information, Effects on irrigation and municipal <br />diversions will be based on modeling as will water quality determinations, <br /> <br />Economics <br /> <br />July is the peak of the normal business season for entities benefitting from <br />recreation on the San Juan River, so a great number of cancellations will <br />probably occur. Is there a study planned to evaluate the impact <br />economically? <br />Data will be gathered during and after the test to estimate impacts, <br />Recreation related businesses and the Bureau of Land Management will <br />be contacted before the test requesting that they monitor any changes in <br />business activity or trip cancel/ations resulting from the low flow test, <br />Estimates of recreation related revenue losses will be requested from <br />those directly impacted (outfitters) as well as indirectly affected recreation <br />support industries (lodging, restaurants, shuttle services, etc,), Transfers <br />of trips to other sites and re-bookings to other times will not be considered <br />as losses, <br /> <br />Since there could be considerable economic impact to the area resulting <br />from changes in angler use during the test, we request that Reclamation <br /> <br />18 <br />