C150307 Final Supplimental Impact Statement

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CHAPTER 2 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES were made for the purpose of comparative NEPA analysis,based on reasonable assumptions at this time. The future water uses described in this FSEIS are non-binding on the Colorado Ute Tribes,and the actual future use of water may vary. The projections are reasonable and representative of what is likely to occur,as far as current information allows. Any conveyance of water out of storage via pipeline or other means(e.g.,as in the Ridges Basin Reservoir in Alternative 4,or from Lemon Reservoir in Alternative 6)to the Colorado Ute Tribes,or to the Navajo Nation,ALPWCD,and/or the SJWC,would be a projected future action. Any acquisition of land and water rights,or development of a future water use(e.g.,construction of housing on the Colorado Ute Tribal Reservations),would also be considered projected future actions. Any future actions would be subject to future environmental review,and NEPA compliance would be required as part of any approval by a federal agency. The following federal actions would serve as "triggers"f o r f u t u r e NEPA co pliaazactivities. In addition, other federal and state regulatory and enc-Viincrnental requirements would have to be met in implementation of future actions(e.g.,compliance with the Endangered Species Act(ESA)and Clean Water Act(CWA)). 2.1.1.4.1 Conveyance and Use of Water Associated With Structural Components Most of the ALP Project alternatives include a mechanism for storing water to allow for the assured supply of water which is a necessary component of an M&I water supply. The range of storage facilities in the various alternatives include, for example,construction of a new reservoir at Ridges Basin or the Aztec site,modification and storage of water in Lemon Reservoir or Red Mesa Reservoir,and storage and reoperation of other existing storage facilities(e.g.,Jackson Gulch Reservoir,Navajo Reservoir). These structural components are defined in this FSEIS. Since possible future water uses are non-binding,the representative environmental impacts of conveyance of water from these storage reservoirs to ultimate end uses were assessed to the extent reasonable and feasible. However,no specific conveyance systems were engineered,nor were any specific water use impacts (e.g.,from construction and operation of new Colorado Ute Tribal housing areas or expansion of the City of Durango water supply system)identified. As implementation of any or all of these future water uses is proposed by the various users of the project water,they would be subject to future NEPA review as part of the following"triggering"federal actions: Future Non-Binding Water Uses by Colorado Ute Tribes Several of the alternatives include the construction and operation of a storage reservoir at Ridges Basin as a structural component. The Colorado Ute Tribes would be provided a specific amount of water in Ridges Basin Reservoir or at a point on the Animas River where diversions would be made to the proposed Durango Pumping Plant. As provided in the Settlement Act,the United States will bear the 1` annual operation,maintenance,and replacement(OM&R)costs allocable to the Tribes' water allocation until the water is first used either by a Colorado Ute Tribe or pursuant to a water use contract with the Tribe. Interior anticipates it would use a contracting mechanism to administer the establishment of such use of water by the Tribes. These"block notices"would provide a description of the quantity of water, the planned use and conveyance method along with an assignment of an appropriate amount of OM&R costs. These specific uses would undergo an appropriate level of environmental compliance on a case- by-case basis by Interior prior to approval. it 2-11 2.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND