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<br />Present and Future Development
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<br />maximum project consumptive use would be 254,000 acre-feet annually. The 267,000-acre-foot
<br />depletion value is based on the full 110,630 acres being irrigated each year. Based on historical
<br />data, at least 5 percent of the total irrigable acreage has been fallow in anyone year since 1981.
<br />
<br />In November 1981, it was concluded and agreed by the Assistant Secretary, Department of the
<br />Interior, Land and Water Resources and Assistant Secretary, Department of the Interior, Bureau of
<br />Indian Affairs that the productive' acreage of the project should be 110,630 acres, rather than the .
<br />105,000 acres which had been assumed in the past. Correspondingly, the annual depletion
<br />estimate has been revised from 254,000 acre-feet to 267,000 acre-feet.
<br />
<br />The first block of land (about 9,300 acres) was irrigated in 1976. In 1985, blocks 1 through 5
<br />were in production, and some water had been delivered to block 6. Although some return flow
<br />from the project has been observed, the depletion of riverflow is nearly equal to the water diverted
<br />from Navajo Reservoir. Return flow to the river will increase as deep percolation from irrigation
<br />charges the aquifer.
<br />
<br />Hammond Project-In 1987, the Hammond Project delivered 14,850 acre-feet of water to irrigate
<br />2,972 acres of farmland at an average of 5.0 acre-feet per acre. The project depletes 10,000 acre-
<br />feet per year if all the project lands (3,930 acres) are fully irrigated.
<br />
<br />Hogback Extension-Minor increases in depletions are expected to have occurred in the Hogback
<br />extension. Studies are underway by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Navajo Tribe to
<br />detennine additional water requirements in this area.
<br />
<br />Jicarilla Apache Indian Uses-This depletion is based upon preliminary results of planning
<br />studies. Results to date indicate that about 3,000 acre-feet could be depleted under present
<br />proposals. Studies are continuing to develop plans for additional depletions, but no more feasible
<br />uses have developed. In a letter of July 9, 1976, to Mr. S.E. Reynolds, Secretary, New Mexico
<br />Interstate Stream Commission, the Secretary of the Interior indicated that there may be
<br />26,000 acre-feet available annually for use on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, but such an
<br />amount cannot be guaranteed unconditionally. This water would have to be contracted. Such a
<br />contract would require certification by the Secretary of the Interior as to the availability of such
<br />supplies and receive subsequent approval by the Congress. Also, shortages may develop induced
<br />by a Lee Ferry call. The July 9, 1976, letter also proposed the necessary engineering,
<br />environmental, and economic feasibility studies. Thus, a 3,000-acre-foot development is estimated
<br />to take place within 20 years, with any remaining amounts dependent upon results of continued
<br />feasibility studies. By letter dated July 10, 1985, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
<br />recommended to the Secretary of the Interior that a contract be awarded to the Jicarilla Apache
<br />Tribe in the amount of 3,000 acre-feet per year to the year 2025.
<br />
<br />Utah International, Inc. (Private Right)- The primary use under this right is the sale of water to
<br />the Arizona Public Service Company for the five units of the Four Comers Powerplant. This right
<br />also includes the transfer of up to 8,000 acre-feet to the San Juan Powerplant.
<br />
<br />Navajo Reservoir Contracts-Reclamation's 1988 Hydrologic Detennination found 69,000 acre-
<br />feet potentially available for contracting from Navajo Reservoir thru 2039. Within this amount,
<br />16,200 acre-feet is contracted to Public Service Company of New Mexico to provide water for use
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