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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evaluated. NEPA compliance activities have been initiated, with public scoping meetings held in April
and May 2000. Specific water rights for this project have not yet been identified.

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8,9 Coal bed Methane Gas IndustrJ

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The San juan Basin has been Ihe site of a rapiciiy eniarging l:uaibed meinane gas imiusiry UVt:1 i.iu; iitSi
several years. The basin currently has more than 3,000 Fruitland formation coalbed methane gas wells.
More than 700 additional wells have been proposed for the basin. Production requires the extraction of
groundwater to induce gas flow from the Fruitland formation. Although this groundwater has not been
historically considered to be tributary to the San Juan River, it is possible the wells are hydrologically
connected to the shallow groundwater systems. The shallow groundwater systems are a source of
recharge for surface water. Groundwater extraction from the existing and proposed new wells could result
in depletion of 280 AF annually of surface water.

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8.10 Conclusion

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The Subcontract would continue river diversions, depletions, and impacts to other natural resources
associated with the existence and operations of San Juan Generating Station and the San Juan and La
Plata Coal mines. Consequently, cumulative adverse impacts to resources from existing conditions would
continue, but would be mitigated to some extent through the planned fish passage around the SJGS
diversion dam, certain payments by PNM to Navajo farmers for improvements to irrigation projects, and
continued rehabilitation of mined lands.

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Because there would be no new changes in the amount, timing, or location of water diversions and
depletions, no new ground disturbance, no change in air emissions, no change in employment and no
change in land use, there would be no additional significant adverse impacts caused by the proposed
action of simply changing the administrator of the contract, and therefore, no additional contributing
factors to adverse cumulative impacts.

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9.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

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This section provides details regarding efforts to solicit agency and public concerns and information
during scoping, as well as specific concerns to be addressed by this environmental assessment.
Representatives of the USBR, PNM, and third party contractors met with, or otherwise advised, interested
parties in a series of one-an-one communications and public scoping meetings.

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9.1 Record of Public Involvement Activities

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Section 10.0 provides a chronology of all attempts made to solicit public and agency comments,
suggestions, and concerns.

The following subsections briefly describe the contacts and consultation with various interested parties as
they relate to the first draft EA.

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