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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Mitigation measures described for other resource categories may require further cultural resource review,
however. For instance, the planning and construction of the fish passage (described in section 6.4.3.1) will
undergo cultural resources review in consultation with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation
Officer and/or Navajo Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, as appropriate.

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6.9.4 irnpacIs oi Criner Aiiernalives

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The implementation of anyone of the other alternatives described in this document, the Alternative
Sources of Water (Section 4.2) or the No Action Alternative (Section 4.3) could result in significant
impacts to cultural resources. The conversion of water from irrigation to M&I (as described in Section
4.2.1) could impact cultural landscapes and traditionallifeways in the area. The development of
groundwater sources (as described in Section 4.2.2) could result in ground-disturbing activities with the
potential to affect archeological resources. Under the No Action Alternative, ground-disturbing activities
associated with power plant and weir removal (and appurtenant features) has the potential to affect
historic properties.

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6.9.5 Mitigation Measures for the Proposed Action Alternative

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No mitigation measures are proposed since the nature of the proposed action is such that there is no
potential to cause effects to historic properties. This recommended determination will be submitted to the
New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer for concurrence. USSR will also consult with the
Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Navajo Nation, through its Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. and other
tribes who may have a cultural affiliation with the area. Consultation in regards to activities such as fish
passage construction (Section 6.9.3) will occur as a separate undertaking from the Proposed Action
Alternative.

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7.0 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCE COMMITMENTS

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A number of human and natural resources would continue to be affected if the Jicarilla Apache Nation
Water Subcontract is approved. The irreversible and irretrievable nature of each of these is discussed in
the following subsections. Because no new construction is proposed as part of the proposed action, no
new irreversible and irretrievable commitments ofland, biota, archeology, or paleontology will be made.

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7.1 Water

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Although water is considered a renewable resource, water consumed as a result of the proposed action
would be lost to alternative uses for the life of the subcontract. At the termination of the Subcontract. the
amount of water that had been used annually will be available for other uses.

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7.2 Coal

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Coal extracted at the adjoining San Juan Mine and nearby La Plata Mine would continue to be consumed
by the SJGS. Approximately 6.6 million tons of coal were burned by SJGS in 1999. Future years'
consumption will vary in proportion to the capacity factor. Once burned, the coal is irretrievable.

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