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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6.6.3 Impacts of the No Action Alternative

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No Action would have significant impacts on the Jicarilla Apache Nation's use and enjoyment of its
water rights and would be inconsistent with the United States' trust responsibility to the Jicarilla Apache
Nation. These impacts are discussed in Sections 6.5.3 and 6.7.5.3.

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6.7

Socioeconomics

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Impacts of the proposed action and no action alternatives are discussed as they relate to the social and
economic environment in San Juan County and the four Corners region. Since the proposed action
would promote continuation of the status quo in terms of the operation of the SJGS, significant negative
impacts would occur to San Juan County and the surrounding region as a result of accepting the no action
alternative.

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6.7.1 Population

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In order to get a sense of population growth in San Juan County over the last 20 years, it is useful to
compare population figures for 1970 and 1990. The population of San Juan County has grown since the
construction of the SJGS in the 1970s. Table 5 shows the historic population for Native Americans and
non-Native Americans in San Juan County. In 1990, the total county population was estimated at 91,605,
of which approximately 37 percent was Native American and 63 percent non-Native American.

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County population estimates have been updated by the Census Bureau. The total population estimate for
San Juan County as of July I, 1999 was 109,899 (USDOC 2000). Native American population was at 39
percent with non-Native American estimates at 61 percent. Population projections for San Juan County in
the year 2020 are estimated to be 145,072 (BBER 1997).

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The Native American population has increased by 15,964 (90.5 percent) since 1970 due to both natural
increase and to increased employment opportunities outside the reservation. The total birthrate in San
Juan County in 1990 was at 21.3 (births per 1,000 population). while the state birthrate was 18.0. For
Native Americans in San Juan County the birthrate was 29.6, while for non-Native Americans it was 16.4.
Economic growth in the Four Comers region has caused an in-migration of non-Native Americans,
increasing their population by 23,124 (66.3 percent) since 1970. While both populations have increased
since 1970, the Native American population is growing at a faster rate due to a significantly higher
birthrate and to improved socioeconomic conditions for this group.

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6.7.2 Economic Indicators

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Labor force. employment. and income statistics are standard measures of economic health in a designated
region. The figures for San Juan County show growth in all of these areas in the period between 1970
and 1990. There are, however. marked differences between Native American and non-Native American
populations. Historically, the differences reflect the disparity between the traditional Native American
nonmarket economy based on subsistence agriculture and the industrialized capitalist market economy
existing outside the reservation. This, however, is changing. With a growing Native American
population working on a fixed land base, more are becoming employed in a wider variety of industries.

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