Animas-La PLata Project Environmental Impact Statement

CHAPTER 2
DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
2.1.1.2.6 Regional Municipal and Industrial Water Supply
Projected population growth within the project area will increase the demand for water, both for
household use and for commercial, industrial, recreational, and community infrastructure requirements.
Dornbusch (1999) displays how population in the three - county area (La Plata and Montezuma Counties
in Colorado and San Juan County in New Mexico) has changed between 1970 and 1998. La Plata
County population doubled in that time period, and the population of Montezuma and San Juan Counties
has nearly doubled. Figure 2 -1 graphically depicts this information. The regional water use is computed
from the population growth using the nationwide average domestic water use of 179 gallons per capita
per day.
Figure 2 -1. Regional Population and M &I Water Needs (La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Counties)
180,000
7800,000197o
Rates 160,000
98 =2.5% 30 =1.9% 140,000 100 =1.6% N 120,000% ,z
C 100,0004 a
°- 500,000 3
° 80,000 4 —
a c
o 400,000 0
0.
CM
60,000
300,000
40,000
200,000
20,000
100,000
0
0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100
Year
2.1.1.2.7 Instream Leasing
In addition to the above uses of water identified in Dombusch (1999), the Colorado Ute Tribes could
elect to leave project water in one or more of the streams or rivers in the project area, and lease it for
enhancement of in- stream values. For example, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe could elect to negotiate
lease terms to release water into the Dolores River to benefit fisheries.
2.1.1.3 Summary of Municipal and Industrial Water Uses by Colorado Ute Tribes
and Other ALP Project Beneficiaries
Table 2 -2 contains a summary of projected M &I water uses and depletions by the Colorado Ute Tribes
and other ALP Project beneficiaries.
2.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 2 -8