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<br />34 Chapter 6-Present and Future Development
<br />
<br />The state of New Mexico has stated that the
<br />projected depletion estimates for the Navajo
<br />Indian lnigation Project (NIIP) under full
<br />project development will not reach 267,000 acre-
<br />feet and that a more reasonable estimate of the
<br />maximum project consumptive use would be
<br />254,000 acre-feet annually. The 267,000 acre-
<br />feet depletion value is based on the full
<br />110,630 acres being irrigated each year. Based
<br />on historical data, at least 5 percent of the total
<br />irrigable acreage has been fallow in any 1 year
<br />since 1981.
<br />
<br />In November 1981, it was concluded and agreed
<br />by the Assistant Secretary, Department of the
<br />Interior, Land and Water Resources, and
<br />Assistant Secretary, Department of the Interior,
<br />Indian Affairs, that the productive acreage of the
<br />project should be 110,630 acres, rather than the
<br />105,000 acres which had been assumed in the
<br />past. Correspondingly, the annual depletion
<br />estimate has been revised from 254,000 acre-feet
<br />to 267,000 acre-feet.
<br />
<br />The first block ofland (about 9,300 acres) was
<br />irrigated in 1976. In 1985, blocks 1 through 5
<br />were in production and some water had been
<br />delivered to block 6. Some return flow from the
<br />project has been observed; however, it has been
<br />assumed that the depletion of river flow is very
<br />nearly equal to the water diverted from Navajo
<br />Reservoir. Return flow to the river will increase
<br />as deep percolation from inigation charges the
<br />aquifer.
<br />
<br />If satisfactory funding of the project continues, it
<br />could be completed in 1995, so the ultimate
<br />depletion of267,OOO acre-feet is shown for 2000.
<br />Half that amount has been arbitrarily assumed
<br />for 1990.
<br />
<br />Hammond Project
<br />
<br />In 1987, the Hammond Project delivered
<br />14,850 acre-feet of water to irrigate 2,972 acres
<br />offannland at an average of5.0 acre-feet per
<br />acre. The project depletes 10,000 acre-feet per
<br />year if all of the project lands (3,930 acres) are
<br />fully inigated. Project depletions for 1990 and
<br />beyond were projected to be 10,000 acre-feet per
<br />year.
<br />
<br />Hogback Extension
<br />
<br />Minor increases in depletions are expected to
<br />have occurred by 1990. Studies are underway
<br />by the Bureau oflndian Affairs and the Navajo
<br />Tribe to determine additional water
<br />requirements in this area.
<br />
<br />Jlcarllla Apache Indian Uses
<br />
<br />This depletion is based upon preliminary results
<br />of planning studies. Results to date indicate
<br />that about 3,000 acre-feet could be depleted
<br />under present proposals. Studies are continuing
<br />to develop plans for additional depletions, but no
<br />more feasible uses have developed. In a letter of
<br />July 9, 1976, to Mr. S.E. Reynolds, Secretary,
<br />New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the
<br />Secretary of the Interior indicated that there
<br />may be 26,000 acre-feet available annually for
<br />use on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation,
<br />but such an amount cannot be guaranteed
<br />unconditionally. This water would have to be
<br />contracted for. Such a contract would require
<br />certification by the Secretary of the Interior as
<br />to the availability of such supplies and receive
<br />subsequent approval by Congress. Also,
<br />shortages may develop induced by a Lee Ferry
<br />call. The July 9, 1976, letter also proposed the
<br />necessary engineering, environmental, and
<br />economic feasibility studies. Thus, a
<br />3,OOO-acre-foot development is estimated to take
<br />place within 10 years, with any remaining
<br />amounts dependent upon results of continued
<br />feasibility studies. By letter dated July 10,
<br />1985, the New Mexico Interstate Stream
<br />Commission recommended to the Secretary of
<br />the Interior that a contract be awarded to the
<br />Jicarilla Apache Tribe in the amount of
<br />3,000 acre-feet per year to the year 2025.
<br />
<br />Utah International, Inc. (Private Right)
<br />
<br />The primary use under this right is the sale of
<br />water to the Arizona Public Service Company for
<br />the five units of the Four Comers Powerplant.
<br />It is expected that increased use of the five units
<br />at Four Corners, plus the transfer of up to
<br />8,000 acre-feet to the San Juan Powerplant, will
<br />fully utilize the total right of 39,000 acre-feet by
<br />1990.
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