News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards Two Contracts for Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Environmental Compliance Services

Media Contact: Lisa Iams, 801-524-3673, liams@usbr.gov
Phillip Rieger, 970-385-6515, prieger@usbr.gov

For Release: July 19, 2013

SALT LAKE CITY – The Bureau of Reclamation awarded two $5 million contracts for environmental compliance services in support of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project construction to Ecosystem Management Inc., of Albuquerque, N.M. and Nelson Consulting of Farmington, N.M. Each contract is for a period of five years.

"With the environmental impact statement complete for this significant water project, we are pleased to be moving forward toward final design and construction," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. "Through these contracts we ensure the necessary additional environmental compliance work is completed, portions of the project already under construction continue ahead and the work needed to bring water to these communities gets done."

Primary environmental compliance work to be performed by the contractors includes endangered species surveys, biological evaluations and environmental assessments as well as monitoring, mitigation planning and permitting. Because the 2009 Planning Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement analyzed project impacts based upon an appraisal level design, the contractors will also be involved in additional environmental review and compliance efforts for design and alignment refinements necessary to complete the project. All work will be done in full coordination with Reclamation and other interested agencies including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Navajo Nation regulatory agencies.

The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is the cornerstone of the San Juan River Basin in the New Mexico Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement authorized by Public Law 111-11. The project is designed to provide a long-term sustainable water supply to serve a future population in 2040 of 250,000 people in the eastern portion of the Navajo Reservation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation and the city of Gallup. In 2011, the project was identified by President Obama as one of 14 infrastructure projects nationwide to be expedited through the permitting and review process. Construction of the project is scheduled for completion in 2024.

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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.