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Executive Summary FEIS - Navajo Reservoir Operations Public Involvement Activities Reclamation used several methods to obtain public input in developing the FEIS, including scoping meetings and dissemination of public information through project newsletters, news releases, paid advertisements, and a project Web site. Reclamation announced its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in a Notice of Intent (NOI) published in the Federal Register on October 1, 1999. A news release announcing the NOI was sent to approximately 300 parties, including Federal, Tribal, State, and local officials; agency representatives; conservation organizations; news media, and others. The NOI also announced that a series of scoping meetings would be conducted in November 1999 to receive public input on issues to be addressed in the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The scoping meetings were held in November 1999, at Farmington and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. In addition to the announcement contained in the Federal Register, each meeting was also advertised in local newspapers in advance of their scheduled dates. In all, a total of approximately 100 people attended the Farmington, Durango, and Albuquerque meetings. No individuals (public or agency representatives) attended the Pagosa Springs meeting. Transcripts of the oral comments given at the meetings were made and are part of the public record for the Navajo Reservoir Operations EIS. Interested or affected individuals, organizations, and agencies were also encouraged to submit written comments to Reclamation to most effectively be considered. Reclamation received eight letters during the comment period. The principal issues and concerns that were identified during public and internal scoping centered on fish and wildlife resources, hydrology and water rights, water quality impacts, cultural resources, Indian Trust Assets (ITAs), Environmental justice, social and economic resources, and recreation resources. On June 12, 2000, Reclamation held a public meeting to discuss agency plans to conduct a 5-day Summer Low Flow Test of 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the San Juan River. The test, to have been conducted from Navajo Dam to the confluence of the Animas River, was to analyze potential low flow impacts to the river, recreation, and diversion structures. Approximately 80 people attended the meeting held in Farmington. Because of drought conditions, the low flows would not have left enough water in the system to meet Flow Recommendations for the endangered fishes' critical habitat, and the test was postponed until 2001. The Summer Low Flow Test was conducted from July 9 through July 15, 2001. Reclamation representatives attended meetings of various organizations and held two public meetings to