Animas-La PLata Project Environmental Impact Statement

CHAPTER 2
DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
for purchase of lands and water rights, a water use plan would be required as part of the development
plan. The water use plan would include information on whether the water would remain on the land or if
it was proposed to remove the water from the land and convey it elsewhere for use.
The development plan and the application for funds would be reviewed by the appropriate office of
Interior, and then forwarded with recommendations to the Secretary of Interior for final approval. Any
NEPA compliance activities (e.g., categorical exclusion, preparation of an environmental assessment
(EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS)) would be conducted by Interior prior to Secretarial
approval.
Any transfer of water from the land and use for a purpose different from the current use would also
require the review and approval of the State of Colorado or the State of New Mexico.
2.1.2 Sources of Water
The projections of future water uses were based on surveys of the Colorado Ute Tribes and their plans
for economic and social development on their reservations. The future water uses to meet M &I growth
needs for the areas served by the SJWC, the ALPWCD, and the Navajo Nation were also considered.
The ultimate development of water uses would be initiated by the users as they determine what is in the
best interests of their constituents.
Building on this analysis, the water consumption associated with each use was determined (see
Table 2 -3). The primary and secondary sources of surface water to provide these volumes were
identified, storage areas were designated, and conveyance options were routed. Table 2 -3 also identifies
the likely primary sources of water for the future water use options. The general locations of these
potential water sources are shown on Map 1 -1 in Chapter 1.
The volumes of water that the projected future water uses would require were considered, as well as the
water available in the ALP Project area to supply those uses. Previous evaluations of potential water
sources in the ALP Project area considered groundwater supplies, making volumes available through
water conservation, surface water supplies, and the potential of purchasing water rights (1996 FSFES
404(b)(1) Evaluation). This evaluation has been augmented by (1) a review of potential water
availability through the purchase of water rights and land in the project area; (2) water conservation on
the Pine, Florida, and Dolores Rivers; (3) expanding storage in Lemon Reservoir; (4) allocation of water
in McPhee Reservoir, and (5) other evaluations, including the new 404(b)(1) Evaluation included as
Attachment B -1 in Volume 2. The most likely sources of reliable supplies of water for these non - binding
uses include:
❑ Water from the purchase of water rights on McElmo Creek, Navajo Wash, and/or the Mancos, La
Plata, Animas, Florida, and/or Pine Rivers, with subsequent diversion and conveyance to the
area(s) of use, with possible storage at the point of use;
❑ Water diverted from the San Juan River and conveyed to the area(s) of use; and/or
❑ Water diverted from the Animas River, stored in a reservoir(s), and conveyed to the area(s) of
use.
For the purposes of this analysis, water would either be conveyed in the source river or stream to the
point(s) of use or would be conveyed in a pressurized pipeline. Open canals were deemed inappropriate
because of inefficiencies in delivery and because the water would be used for M &I purposes.
2 -13 2.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND