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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Xavajo Nation depletion of 27,193 acre-feet per year would be allocated between New Mexico and Arizona. "Vater rights settlement negotiations are under way in both New Mexico and Arizona to determine the quantity of water available for this project, among other uses. It is anticipated that "vater rights for depletion of 20,782 acre-feet will be allocated from ~ew Mexico and 6,411 acre-feet from Arizona to meet the depletion demand for the Kavajo ~ation. A contract with the Secretary of the Interior for delivery of this water from i\avajo Reservoir and the San Juan River will be pursued. 3.2 Project Effects on the San Juan River Hydrology The SJRIP developed tlow recommendations for the San Juan River in 1999 (Holden, 1999). The flow recommendations were developed based on seven years of research. The foundation of the flow recommendation is mimicry of a natural hydrograph. The flow rec.ommendations are intended to develop and maintain spawning and nursery habitat and to maintain channel and habitat complexity. According to the flow rec.ommendation report, '"the flow rec.ommendations will prO"\ide t10ws in the San Juan River that will promote the rec.overy of the 1\\"0 endangered fish species (Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker)" (Holden, 1999). The flow recommendation report describes the modeling process used to assess impacts of water development on the ability of the system to meet the flow rec.ommendations. The models described in that report were used to assess the impact of NG\VSP development as described here. Since the How recommendations are considered by the SJRIP to promote rec.overy of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, it follows that meeting the flow statistics listed in the Flow Recommendations would not negatively impact the recovery of these 1\\"0 endangered species as a result of depletions from the San Juan River. The target statistics are listed in Table 3.1 and are based on analysis of the 1929-1993 hydrologic period discussed in the Flow Recommendation Report. Cntil the Generation III San Juan Basin Hydrology Model is completed and approved by the SJRIP, this is the longest period of record that can be analyzed. The model was configured with the same assumptions used for the ~avajo Dam Operation Biological Assessment. The Jicarilla and City of Gallup water in the ;..iG\VSP is assumed to be in lieu of the new depletion portion of the depletions specified for the JA~~~\VSP for which the Biological Opinion ""-as issued in April, 2004 (F\VS, 2004). Therefore, the JA1\TN"R\VSP configuration was not used as the starting point in modeling the NG\VSP. For analysis of effeds, the model results of the various c.onfigurations for K G\VSP are c.ompared to the baseline conditions (Ylodel configuration including JA1\1\"'R\VSP). This c.onfiguration takes into acc.ount the change from the JAN~R\VSP diversion and return flow requirements to the diversion and return t10w requirements of the ~G\VSP. 3.2.1 Environmental Baseline Depletion The baseline for ~G\VSP includes all water uses listed in Table 3.2. In addition to historical uses and uses that might reasonably be expected to develop for which there would be no federal action (e.g. the state's unused private allocation listed in Table 3.3), Table 3.2 includes all projects that have received favorable biological opinions in the San Juan Basin, including the JA~~R\VSP, the most recent (F\VS, 2004). Since the Coal Bed Methane Consultation did not specify diyersion locations, its depletion impacts were assumed to be accounted under unspecified minor depletions. The baseline also includes ~avajo Dam operating to meet the BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT NAVAJO GAllUP WATER SUPPLY PROJECT September 3. 2004 Page 12