Animas-La PLata Project Environmental Impact Statement

E
Ll It would require an extended and uncertain time frame to secure the settlement benefits, which
would affect the ability to finalize the settlement; and
Q It would substantially impact Indian trust water rights by using the remaining capacity of the
Navajo Reservoir, a facility designed to supply these demands, thus creating a likely conflict
with the Navajo Nation and Jicarilla Apache Tribe.
On the basis of this overall evaluation, it was determined that Refined Alternative 4 would best meet the
ALP Project purpose and need. Accordingly, Refined Alternative 4 was designated as Reclamation's
Preferred Alternative.
Tables ES -3 and ES -4 summarize the water supply and project cost projections for the Preferred
Alternative.
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1
I
Table ES -3
Water Supply and Costs
Preferred Alternative
Allocation of ALP Project Water
Entity
Source of Water
Depletion (afy)
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Animas River/Ridges Basin Reservoir
19,9808
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Animas River/Ridges Basin Reservoir
19,9808
Navajo Nation
Animas River/Ridges Basin Reservoir
2,340
Animas -La Plata Water
Conservancy District
Animas River/Ridges Basin Reservoir
2,600
San Juan Water Commission
Animas River/Ridges Basin Reservoir
10,400
Subtotal
55,300
Allowance for Reservoir
Evaporation
1,800
Total Depletion
57,100
8 Support for recently introduced federal legislation indicates that the Colorado Ute Tribes may agree to a reallocation of
5,280 afy depletion to the State of Colorado and 780 afy depletion to the La Plata Conservancy District in New Mexico.
Through implementation of the $40 trillion water acquisition fund, the Colorado Ute Tribes could acquire an additional
13,000 afy depletion.
Table ES-4
Total Costs for Preferred Alternative
Cost
Item
Description
(Million)
Project Components
Ridges Basin Dam
Consists of 120,000 acre -foot reservoir with a conservation
$145.0
pool of 30,000 acre -feet. Included in the cost of the dam are
costs of relocations for County Road 211, gas pipelines, and
electrical transmission facilities.
ES -10