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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9.2.6 Native American Tribes

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One of the principal concerns of the USBR in preparation of this environmental assessment was the need
to address potential impacts of the proposed action on any IT As. Four tribes were contacted by USBR
(J..javaju Naiiun, jicariiia Apacnt: Naiion, SOUlhem Ure indian Tribe, and [he Ute ivioumain Ure indian
Tribe) and potential effects of this project on their water rights were discussed. Support for and
concurrence of this project was received from each of the tribes during negotiations which resolved
specific tribal water right trust issues for those tribes. No other ITA issues were seen as potentially being
affected by this project and, therefore, no further consultation was initiated.

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9.2,6.1

Water Resources Department, Navajo Nation

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A meeting was held on September 16,1994, at the offices of the Water Resources Department. The
attendees were Teresa Showa (Director, Water Resources Management), Michael Johnson and George
Roussos (Water Resources Department). Stanley Pollack (Navajo Nation), Cindy Murray and Henry
Townsend (PNM), and Jens Deichmann (Resource Science Group [RSG]). The purpose of the meeting
was to (1) advise the Navajo Nation representatives of the proposed action, (2) solicit information on
concerns the Navajo Nation might have regarding the proposed action and (3) solicit any help the Nation
could provide in identifying possible IT As which should be addressed in the environmental assessment.
Issues raised in the meeting relevant to the proposed action included:

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. Impact of the water diversion weir on the recent designation of the San Juan River as critical
habitat for the Colorado pikeminnow.
. The effect of withdrawal of water from the San Juan River on the already reportedly high
concentration of selenium in the river. (It was recognized that the high selenium levels west of
the Hogback are due in large part to naturally high levels in the surrounding soils.)
. The impact of PNM's and other non-Native American withdrawals from the river on the ability of
the Navajo Nation to withdraw water without affecting the ability of other Indian tribes to do
likewise.

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No other specific ITAs were identified.

9.2.6.2

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

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A meeting was held at the offices of the Southern Ute Energy Resource Division (ERD) on September 23,
1994. In auendance were: Robert Santistevan (Director, ERD); Michael Frost (Director, Environmental
Program); John Washington (Natural Resources Division); Janice Sheftel (Maynes, Bradford, Shipps and
Sheftel, representing the Southern Ute Tribe); Cindy Murray, David Huffman, and Henry Townsend
(PNM); and Jens Deichmann (RSG). The purpose of the meeting was to advise the Southern Ute
representatives of the proposed action, and to solicit information on concerns the Southern Utes might
have regarding the proposed action and any help the tribe could provide in identifying possible IT As
which should be addressed in the environmental assessment. The only issue raised in the meeting that
related to the proposed action was concern over elevated selenium levels in the San Juan River. No IT As
were identified by the Southern Ute representatives as potentially at risk as a result of the proposed action.

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