News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Announces $5.27 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Procuring Key Portions of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline

Media Contact: Doug Hendrix, 801-524-3837, 10/14/2009 19:32

For Release: October 14, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bureau of Reclamation, an agency of The Department of the Interior, has awarded a modification, to an existing contract, totaling $5.27 million to the Navajo Nation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for purchasing pipeline and related fittings for constructing key portions of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline (NNMP).

"The stimulus funds made available today by the Department of the Interior through President Obama's economic recovery plan will enable the Navajo Nation to augment an existing highly stressed and aging drinking water supply system for the benefit of tribal residents living between Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor.

The ARRA funds will be used by tribal contractors for key components of the construction of 21 miles (out of a total project of 29 miles) of the pipeline from Farmington to Shiprock and allow for an earlier delivery of water to the Navajo Nation.

The NNMP was authorized as part of the Animas-La Plata Project by the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 to provide for the delivery of 4,680 acre-feet of municipal and industrial water per year from Farmington to Shiprock. The NNMP will follow the approximate alignment of the existing Farmington-to-Shiprock pipeline and will connect to existing distribution service laterals that serve communities in the Upper Fruitland, San Juan, Nenahnezad, Hogback, Shiprock, Cudei and Beclaibito Chapters.

Department of the Interior water infrastructure investments in this project is part of the $1 billion nationwide effort that Interior will channel under the ARRA to restore aging infrastructure, repair aging dams, provide drought relief and improve conservation of water.

The purposes of the ARRA are, among others, to quickly and prudently commence activities which preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and to invest in infrastructure by providing long-term economic benefits. Recovery Act funding must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2010.

Secretary Salazar has committed to quick and responsible implementation of the $3 billion in recovery funds, which will be used by the Department of the Interior and its agencies. Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department of the Interior's economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery.

Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force. Henderson and the Task Force will work closely with the Department of the Interiors Inspector General to ensure that the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility and transparency that President Obama has set.

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit Reclamation's website at www.usbr.gov.

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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.

Relevant Link:

Bureau of Reclamation Recovery Investment Information