WSP11518

• File Number: 8220.148.I
• Description: Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
• State: NM
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Date: 10/12/1976
• Author: USDOI - BIA
• Title: Final Environmental Statement - Navajo Indian Irrigation Project - San Jaun County-New Mexico
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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SUMMARY

( ) DRAFT

eX) FINAL

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA

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1. Type of Action: eX) Administrative

( ) LegiSlative

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2. Brief Description of Action: The U.S. Government is constructing for
the Navajo Tribe of Indians a ll0,630-acre irrigation project and the Navajo
Tribe proposes to construct a related agribusiness complex near Farmington
in northwestern New Mexico. Water for farming will come from the Navajo
Reservoir on the San Juan River. The project will be developed on off-
revervation lands, which the Tribe has purchased or is purchasing, and on
lands within the reservation.

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3. Summary of Environmental Impacts and Adverse Environmental Effects:
Primary impacts will be on the surface water and vegetation. Irrigation
will transform the agricultural area from desert to moist croplands, and
moisture drift will affect the adjoining dry uplands. Economic and social
changes for the Navajos and nearby non-Indian people will be significant,
with 5,l59 new jobs and an estimated annual income of $38.6 million in
San Juan County. The population growth engendered by the NIIP by itself
will be gradual enough that public' services can be provided without substan-
tially increasing taxes. However, should other proposed energy-producing
projects develop concurrently, front-end financing will be needed to supply
the sudden and massive demand for public services. Social impacts of the
proposed irrigation project alone will be'manageable, but if experienced'
at the same time as these other proposed programs, the cumulativeefrect
will be considerable. Soil erosion and airborne dust will be less under
the irrigation moisture and vegetative Cover than under the original dry,
windy desert conditions. Some offensive odors will emanate from the agri-
business developments, and pollen counts will increase considerably. While
some dryland and shy wildlife species will be reduced or even eliminated
within the area, large numbers of other animals more suited to the populated
and irrigated cropland habitat will develop. The effect on aquatic environ-
ment will be' more noticeable. Prior to the start of construction of the
project, the San Juan River was a relatively low quality fishery. When
Navajo Dam was completed, the interim conditions produced a fair fishery in
the reservoir and a quality trophy fishery in the river below the dam. When
the entire project is completed with 110,630 acres under irrigation and the
proposed hydroelectric generating plant is in operation, the quality of the
fisheries will drop to a level between the original and the interim condition.
Below the community of Shiprock, however, the river may become completely dry
during the irrigation season in drought years.

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4. Alternatives COnsidered: a. Stopping all further development, b. Devel-
opment of a project less extensive than originally proposed, c. Development
of irrigation without agribusinesses.

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