WSP03734

• File Number: 8220.105.I
• Description: Colorado River-Water Projects-Navajo-Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/27/2000
• Author: BOR
• Title: Navajo Dam EIS-Public Scoping Meetings to be Held on Water Supply for Navajo Nation and Gallup New Mexico
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

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~4U OF RECLAt,\P:tl

\Vestem ColorJdo Area Office
Durango. Colorado
Rege Leach [phone]
for Release: March 27. 2000

Public Scoping Meetings to be held on Water Sllpply
for Navajo Nation and Gallllp, New Mexico

The Bure:m of Reclamation has filed a notice of intent in the March 27,2000 Federal Register to prepare a draft
envirorunental impact statemenr (DEIS) on a proposed water supply project for the New Mexico portion of the
Navajo Nation south of the San Juan River and the Window Rock area within Arizona, and the City of Gallup.
The proposed action would provide J long-tenn, high quality municipal and industrial water supply to improve
the standard of living for current and future populations and to support economic growth of the Navajo Nation
and the City of Gallup.

The public is in.....ited to participate in any of a series of scoping meetings that will be conducted in New Mexico
and Arizona concerning the scope of the issues to be assessed in the DEIS.

The scoping meetings will be held from 6 10 9 p.m. each night:

.. April 25, 2000. Crownpoint Chapter House, Crownpoint, New Mexico
**ApriI26. 2000, St. Michaels (Chi'hootso) Chapter House. St. Michaels, Arizona
April 27. 2000,University of New Mexico Gallup Campus Auditorium 248. 200 College Road, Gallup,
New Mexico
"May 2, 2000. Dine College, Shiprock Campus Gymnasium, Shiprock, New Mexico.
May 3. 2000. San Juan College Lecture Hall7103-Computer Science Bldg., 4601 College Blvd.,
Farmington, New Mexico

"''''Navajo interpreter will be provided at the April 25. 26, and May 2 meetings.

The DEIS will evaluate alternatives for the construction and operation of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply
Project and act as the final planning report to support a request for construct1on authorization. T WQ structural
alternatives for the project are currently under study and proposed: The Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
Alternative and the San Juan River Diversion Alternative. The DEIS will examine both these proposed
alternatives as well as a Non-Structural Water Conservation Alternative, a No Action Alternative, and any other
proposed alternatives brought forth as a result of the public scoping meetings.

Each meeting will begin with a one hour open house where the public can informally discuss issues and ask
questions of representatives of the Bureau of Reclamation. Navajo Nation, and the City of Gallup. The open
houses will be followed by a formal scoping hearing in which those wishing to speak will have up to 5 minutes
to make oral comments related to the proposed action. Sign up for the speaking order will be taken the night of
the meetings and will be on a "first come, first served" basis. Speakers are encouraged to provide written
versions of their oral comments, and any other additional written materials for the record.

Written comments may also be sent directly to Rege Leach of the Bureau of Reclamation. 835 East Second
A venue. Suite 300, Durango, Colorado 8130 I; telephone [phone]; faxogram [phone]; or E-mail:
Rleach(ii)uc.usbr.gov. Comments should be received by May 26, 2000. to be most effectively considered.
Information is also available at Reclamation's web site address at www.uc.usbr.gov.

Reclamation will make every effort to make these hearings accessible to disabled attendees. Please call [phone]
with any special needs or requests at leasl 3 days prior to the meeting.

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