News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Operation of Navajo Reservoir

Media Contact: Justyn Hock, (970) 248-0625, jhock@uc.usbr.gov
Pat Page , ppage@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: April 20, 2006

Reclamation's Western Colorado Area Office announced today the release of the Navajo Reservoir Operations Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS provides an analysis of operating Navajo Reservoir to implement the flow recommendations provided by the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. The purpose of this action is to provide sufficient releases of water at times, quantities, and durations necessary to conserve, in concert with other authorized recovery actions, two endangered fish species and their designated critical habitat in the San Juan River downstream from Farmington, New Mexico.

Reclamation will maintain the authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit which include enabling future water development to proceed in the San Juan River Basin in compliance with applicable laws, compacts, court decrees, and Indian trust responsibilities.

No decision will be made on the proposed federal action until 30 days after release of the FEIS. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision. The Record of Decision will state the action that will be implemented and discuss all factors leading to that decision.

Copies of the FEIS are available from Pat Page, Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office, 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 400, Durango, Colorado 81301; telephone (970) 385-6500; or email: ppage@uc.usbr.gov. The FEIS is also available on Reclamation's website.

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