Planning Report & Environmental Impact

• Contractor Name: Navaho-Gallup Water Supply Project
• Contract Type: Loan
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

NAVAJO
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
Purpose and Need
The Navajo-Gallup Water 5uppht Project
Planning Process
Alternative Screening Process
Preferred Alternative
Lt otter.S'uppl v
Economic and Financial Analysis
Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
,_Consultation and Coordination J
INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Reclamation(Reclamation)has developed this planning report and draft
environmental impact statement (PR/DEIS)pursuant to Public Law 92-199 and the
general authority to conduct water resources planning under the Reclamation Act of 1902
and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto. This document was
undertaken to provide a discussion on (1)various ways to provide a municipal and
industrial (M&I)water supply to the Navajo Nation, city of Gallup, and the Jicarilla
Apache Nation and (2)the associated potential environmental impacts and costs of such
an endeavor, should it be undertaken. Reclamation, however, does not have the current
substantive or budgetary authorization that is required to construct, operate, and maintain
any proposed facilities discussed in this PR/DEIS. It will take an act of Congress to
provide such authority. In addition, Reclamation takes no position on whether such a
project should be authorized. The indication of a preferred alternative is solely to meet
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is not an
indication that a particular alternative should be pursued since, as noted earlier,there is
no project authorization that would allow Reclamation to commence this project.
Finally, we are aware that the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico have reached
an agreement concerning the Navajo Nation's water rights in the San Juan River Basin in
New Mexico and that a part of the proposed settlement is the construction, operation, and
maintenance of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (proposed project). We wish to
be clear that neither Reclamation,the Department of the Interior, nor the Administration
has taken a position on the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico Navajo Nation Water
Rights Settlement Agreement executed between the Navajo Nation and the State of
New Mexico and that nothing herein is any indication of any position regarding the
overall settlement. The cost analysis contained in this PR/DEIS is based on an appraisal
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