WSP10769

• File Number: 8220.105
• Description: Colorado River-Water Projects-Navajo
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 7/1/2001
• Author: BOR
• Title: Revised Draft Environmental Assessment for the Jicarilla Apache Nation Water Subcontract-aka USBR/PNM Water Contract Renewal and Extension
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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4.3 No Action Alternative

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In the event that the Jicarilla Apache Nation Water Subcontract for consumption of 16,200 AF per year of
water from the San Juan River is not approved (the no action alternative), and PNM is unable to acquire
sufficient alternate water supplies to allow it to continue operation of the SJGS, electrical generation at
SJLiS would cease after December j i, 2005, aiong wi{h d-H:: numt:ruu~ ~U)JI-'UJ i (:ll.i.i-v iii.t5 Ciili\3iitly bciiig
provided. However, the electrical power currently being supplied to PNM's customers and to the other
participants of the SJGS would have to be replaced from alternative sources, either from one location or
multiple sources. This alternative examines the impacts and far-reaching consequences of SJGS ceasing
operations. Removal of the power plant and the weir would create subsequent environmental impacts as
well. This alternative also examines the impacts on the Jicarilla Apache Nation if the USBR denies
approval of the Subcontract.

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Adoption of the no action alternative would likely result in shutdown of the SJGS. resulting in the loss of
electrical generating capacity and disruption of electrical service to PNM's customers and to the
customers of the other owners of the SJGS. Significant socioeconomic effects to the region would ensue.
Environmental impacts would be associated with the removal of the power plant and the weir for a period
of years as well. Other impacts would include the direct loss ofa significant number of jobs in San Juan
County and an indirect loss of many more jobs. In addition, loss of tax revenues and coal royalties from
the plant and associated coal mines to San Juan County, the State of New Mexico. and the federal
government would occur.

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For the purposes of this assessment it has been assumed that PNM would not be able to acquire sufficient
alternative sources of water by December 3 J, 2005 to continue operation of SJGS.

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4.4 Summary of Alternatives

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Three alternatives were considered, the proposed action. alternative sources of water, and no action. The
proposed action would allow the slallls qllo to continue; i.e., continued operation of the SJGS consuming
16,200 AF of water per year diverted from the San Juan River.

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Alternative sources of water were considered but were judged too costly and technically infeasible. or
inappropriate. Sources that were considered included groundwater and water currently being diverted
from the San Juan River for irrigation. The alternatives to acquire other sources of water were determined
not to be reasonable alternatives and were not considered further.

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The no action alternative would likely result in the shutdown of SJGS.

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5.0

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT SJGS OPERATIONS

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The present water supply for SJGS is obtained from the San Juan River under two separate, unrelated
contracts, one with the USBR and the other with Utah International Inc. (now Broken Hill Proprietary
Ltd. [BHP]). The primary source of water is a contract dated April II, 1968, as amended in 1976 and
1977, between USBR and PNM. The USBR contract authorizes the consumptive use of 16,200 AF of
water per year and requires PNM to pay an annual fee to the USBR regardless whether PNM takes any or
all of the water. In addition, an agreement between BHP and PNM gives PNM a contractual right to
consume up to 8.000 AF of water per year under New Mexico State Water Permit No. 2838. Such right

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