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<br />UU1532 <br /> <br />-- <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />September, 2002). Reclamation sought extensive public comment and is in the process of <br />finalizing the environmental impact statement and issuing a record of decision, which is expected <br />in mid-2004. <br /> <br />The proposal to re-operate Navajo dam and reservoir was described as follows: <br /> <br />"The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to operate Navajo Dam and <br />Reservoir to implement Endangered Species Act (ESA) - related flow <br />recommendations on the San Juan River, or a reasonable alternative I to those <br />recommendations, in a manner which allows for both current and certain <br />future water depletions2 to proceed." (emphasis added) <br /> <br />Footnotes: Future depletions were defined in footnote 2 to this statement: <br />"Those which have attained appropriate environmental compliance, but are not <br />yet implemented." <br /> <br />The purpose and need for the proposed action stated by Reclamation is as follows: <br /> <br />''The purpose of modifying the operations of Navajo Dam and Reservoir is to <br />provide sufficient releases of water at times, quantities, and durations necessary to <br />conserve the two endangered fish species and their designated critical habitat as <br />recommended in the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program <br />(SJRBRIP)3 Flow Recommendations for the San Juan River (Flow <br />Recommendations)(Holden, 1999), and subject to concurrence by the Fish and Wildlife <br />Service (Service) through formal ESA consultation. Reclamation would maintain the <br />authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit (Navajo Dam and Reservoir), which include <br />enabline: future water development to proceed in the Basin in compliance with <br />applicable laws. compacts. decrees. and Indian trust resDonsibilities. <br /> <br />The need for a plan to modify operations has resulted from previous ESA consultations <br />with the Service on other Basin projects that affect flows in the San Juan River. <br />Reclamation is required to comply with the ESA for operation of the facilities of the <br />Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), which include Navajo Dam. The operation of <br />Navaio Dam is a kev element ofthe SJRBRIP." (emphasis added) <br /> <br />Re-operation of Navajo Dam is clearly for the purpose of "enabling future water development to <br />proceed. .." The fact that re-operation of Navajo will provide ESA compliance for future <br />depletions is recognized in the DEIS. <br /> <br />5 <br />