WSP05301

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 10/1/1992
• Title: Animas-La Plata Participating Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

COllSUUclion

.",.""" ,.,.................... .........", ,...... ,..........,.... ,........,...................................,.. ,......,. ........,., ......,.......... ,......... Animas-La Plata

lrrig:alion Investment
('cr Acre:

Summary of Irrigation Investment

Total Irrigation Investment/Acre

57.085

Repayment of Irrigation Investment Per Acre by:
Irrigators
Power Revenues
Cost Sbaring Agr,
UCRBF Revenues
Ad Valorem Tax
CRDF & Contract Funds
Indian Irrigation (Deferred)

S 303
o
2,680
3,587
41
9
94

Payment Capacity per Acre and/or Acre-foot:
Not applicable under Public Law 98-541

Annual Charges (per Acre):
Construction
Operation and Maintenance

547.30
9.90
37.40

Status ofNEPA
Compliance:

A projectwide fInal environmental impact statement was rue<! ....ith Environmental Protection
Agency July I. 1980.

Other Information:

The Animas-La Plata project as authorized would be develop<d in two Pha=: Pl1a-<e 1
provides irrigation service for 42.815 acteS, municipal and incusuial water service. and some
recreation and fIsh and ....ildlife fea= with a total estimated cost of 5463,330,000
(October 1992 price levels).

On October 25, 1991. the Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final biologic21 opLrtion for L~e
Animas-La Plata Project on Fe<!erally listed endangered species. The final biological opinion
contains a reasonable and prudent alternative that, in the opinion of the Se"ice, would avoid
the likelihood of jeopardy to the Colorado squawfish. The biological opinion also ccntains
information on the razorback sucker, which was listed as an endangered species in
November 199 \. The fInal opinion replaced the draft biological opinion issue<! on
May 7, 1990, which stated that the project was likely to jeopardize the ccntinue<! existence of
the Colorado squawflSh.

The reasonable and prudent alternative that avoids a jeopardy opinion includes the following
5 elements: (1) an Animas-La Piau project that teSUlts in an initial depletion of 57.000 'Cr<:.
feet, (2) 7 years of research to determine endangered fish habitat noMs, (3) operation of the
Navajo Dam to provide a wide range oftlow conditions for the endangered fish, (4) a
guarantee that the Navajo Reservoir ....ill be operated for the life of the project to mimic the

191