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Volume III - Comments and Responses FEIS - Navajo Reservoir Operations analysis of resource impacts, the hydrology studies have included all existing water uses and future water uses that are authorized and that are in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This gives a more accurate picture of river and reservoir conditions in the future under the alternatives considered. (b) The DEIS should specify more precisely the relationship among the Navajo Nation Irrigation Project (NIIP), the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP Project), and Navajo Reservoir Operations in the baseline(s), under the No Action Alternative, and elsewhere. Should the analysis for the modified operation of Navajo Reservoir be included within the EIS for the ALP Project and all negative impacts be included as costs of the ALP Project, instead of the ALP Project being a benefit to Navajo Reservoir reoperation? Response: Operation of Navajo Reservoir is a connected action to the ALP Project and other water resource activities in the San Juan River Basin (Basin), such as the NIIP. These connections stem from: ? Past ESA consultations that established and relied upon the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRBRIP) and listed certain reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPA) to avoid jeopardy to the endangered species in question ? San Juan River flow recommendations developed and approved by the SJRBRIP in 1998 and the report finalized in 1999 ? The 1999 ESA consultation for NIIP (Blocks 9-11), including operation of Navajo Reservoir, to meet these flow recommendations as a project element ? Reclamation's previous commitment to operate Navajo Reservoir for the benefit of endangered fish in the Basin below Navajo Dam as requested in the 1991 and 1995 Biological Opinions as part of the RPA for the ALP Project ? Conservation measures for the ALP Project listed in the 2000 ALP Biological Opinion In chapter I, " V. Connected and Related Actions," Reclamation states that Navajo Reservoir Operations constitute a connected action to other water resource projects in the Basin, including the ALP Project and NIIP, and explains their connection. The change in operation of Navajo Dam is not dependent upon completion of ESA consultations for the ALP Project and NIIP. However, full completion and operation of these projects is dependent on the reoperation of Navajo Dam to meet the Flow Recommendations.