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<br />Alternative 4 was chosen for further evaluation because it was determined to meet both the project <br />purpose and need and endangered fish requirements in a manner not resulting in significant <br />environmental water quality concerns. Despite concerns about its ability to meet project purpose and <br />need, Alternative 6 also was selected for a more in-depth evaluation. The analysis showed that <br />Alternative 6 would have difficulty in developing a water supply with a firm yield; that the priority <br />date associated with water obtained under Alternative 6 would most likely not be considered a <br />senior right with regards to other users; that the amount of time involved in securing water through <br />Alternative 6 raised issues as to whether the Colorado Ute Tribes would ever receive all the water <br />contemplated under the original settlement; and that the Colorado Ute Tribes would not support <br />, <br />Altemative 6 as a settlement of their water rights claims. <br /> <br />Alternatives 4 & 6 were renamed as "refined alternatives" to reflect additions and changes made to <br />the alternatives based on suggested changes received during public scoping, including the addition <br />of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline. Other modifications were made to the two alternatives <br />to reduce projected impacts. <br /> <br />The Navajo Nation requested that a water conveyance pipeline be included as a structural component <br />of the ALP Project, to upgrade the service now being provided for seven Navajo Nation chapters <br />in the Farmington-Shiprock area, and to replace a deteriorating 30-year old pipeline now in place. <br />Three alternatives were evaluated to fulfill this request: (I) replace the existing pipeline with a new, <br />larger pipeline; (2) make improvements to the existing pipeline, but di vide into two separate sections <br />with the western section bdng supplied water from the San Juan River at Shiprock and treated <br />through an upgraded water treatment facility there; and (3) make use of the existing Navajo Indian <br />LITigation Project system and construct a new surface water reservoir, new pipelines, and ancillary <br />facilities to serve the seven Navajo Nation chapters. <br /> <br />D. Clean Water Act Compliance <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is complying with the Clean Water Act (CWA) under <br />the provisions of section 404(r) of the Act. Under this section, Reclamation prepared an analysis <br />of wetlands impacts under the guidance of Section 404(b)(I) of the cWA and has forwarded the <br />FSEIS, including the requisite analysis under the guidelines, to Congress. The 404(b)(1) analysis <br />ensures substantial compliance with standard permitting requirements. <br /> <br />RA4 and RA6 were both evaluated under the 404(b)(I) guidelines. The analysis showed that <br />RA 6 presented potentially significant environmental impacts to wetlands and endangered <br />species habitat. This included both the non-structural components involving leaving water on the <br />land but implementing water conservation measures, and the non-structural component of taking <br />the water off the land for M&I use elsewhere. Both would result in the loss of a significant <br />quantity of wetlands. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in its Planning Aid Memorandum of <br /> <br />8 <br />