Animas-La PLata Project Environmental Impact Statement

CHAPTER 2
DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
❑ Evaluation of alternatives and selection of two refined alternatives for more detailed study
❑ Components of the alternatives considered but eliminated from further consideration in this
FSEIS
❑ Description of alternatives selected for further refinement
❑ Discussion of risks associated with a large scale water rights purchase program
2.9.1 Future Water Uses
The current purpose of and need for the proposed ALP Project is to complete implementation of the
Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (Settlement Act) by providing the Colorado
Ute Tribes an assured long -term water supply as specified in the Settlement Act (see Attachment A in
Volume 2 of this FSEIS). Providing the Colorado Ute Tribes with an assured long -term water supply is
necessary to protect existing water users from senior water rights claims by the Colorado Ute Tribes.
The Colorado Ute Tribes could use this assured water supply to satisfy any future M &I water demands
on their reservations and to provide water for future regional M &I needs.
In addition to providing an assured water supply as a settlement of the Colorado Ute Tribes' senior water
rights, the ALP Project provides a dependable long -term water supply for neighboring Indian and non -
Indian community water needs, including a portion of the Navajo Nation at and near Shiprock, New
Mexico, the Animas -La Plata Water Conservancy District (ALPWCD), and the San Juan Water
Commission (SJWC). About one -fourth of the ALP Project water would be allocated to the Navajo
Nation, the ALPWCD, and the SJWC to serve their identified regional growth and planned M &I needs.
See Table 2 -1 for a listing of ALPWCD, SJWC, and Navajo Nation future uses.
Table 2 -1
Summary of Future Uses of M &I Water by the Navajo Nation, ALPWCD, and SJWC
Category of M &I Use
Diversion from the
San Juan River Basin
(acre - feet/year (afy))
Depletion from the
San Juan River Basin (afy)
Navajo Nation
4,680
2,340
Animas -La Plata Water Conservancy District
5,200
2,600
San Juan Water Commission
20,800
10,400
Total
30,680
15,340
The ultimate use of the remaining project water (about three - fourths of the total water supply) by the
Colorado Ute Tribes would be more specifically defined by those Tribes as future needs develop.
Therefore, a range of potential future water uses was developed for analysis in this FSEIS. The specific
percentage allocation between the Colorado Ute Tribes and other project beneficiaries may not be fixed,
however, as noted in Chapter 1, Introduction, Purpose of, and Need for the Project. Comments received
during scoping and support for legislation recently introduced by non - federal entities (i.e., H.R. 3112 and
S -2508, the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 1999/2000), indicate that the Colorado Ute
2.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 2 -2