News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Seeks Public Comments on Plan to Repair or Replace Captain Tom Dam

Media Contact: Patricia Cox , (623) 773-6214, pacox@lc.usbr.gov
John McGlothlen , jwmcglothlen@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 18, 2007

Before preparing an Environmental Assessment on a proposed Safety of Dams project affecting Captain Tom Dam in San Juan County, New Mexico, the Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public input on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in that document.

The proposed project, a joint venture between Reclamation, the Navajo Nation, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is being carried out to correct significant safety deficiencies associated with Captain Tom Dam. Proposed corrective actions include demolishing the dam and replacing it with a new structure or substantially modifying the dam. Captain Tom Reservoir is an off-stream impoundment of Captain Tom Wash, which is a tributary to the Chaco and San Juan rivers.

The construction will be phased over a two-year period beginning in 2009.

During the initial scoping phase, the public is invited to submit comments to assist in the identification of key issues and alternatives related to the proposal that should be addressed in the Environmental Assessment. An EA will be prepared by Reclamation, BIA and the Navajo Nation to evaluate potential issues, consider alternatives, and analyze effects of the proposed action and other action alternatives.

The full Notice of Public Scoping Notice can be obtained by calling the Environmental Resource Management Division at (623) 773-6251, by e-mailing rkonst@lc.usbr.gov , or by downloading it from the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.