National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
691 Scenic View Dr.
P.O. Box 1507
Page, Arizona 86040
(928) 608-6208 -- Phone
(928) 608-6204 -- Fax
GLEN CANYON - NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Char Obergh
September 1, 2004
GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (GLCA) ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT FOR NAVAJO GENERATING STATION (NGS) WATER INTAKE MAINTENANCE PROJECT
PAGE, AZ The National park Service has initiated work on an environmental assessment for the installation of new water intake facilities for NGS on the grounds of the existing pump house facility. The current facility is located adjacent to Lake Powell at an elevation of 3,734 above sea level on land leased to Salt River Project (SRP) by the Navajo Nation.
The purpose of the project is to ensure the future availability of cooling water for NGS operations due to the continuing decrease of water surface elevation of Lake Powell associated with the ongoing drought. The full pool elevation of Lake Powell is 3,700 feet above sea level. Current projections indicate that lake surface elevation could fall below the existing NGS water intake elevation of 3,470 feet above sea level by 2009. If severe drought conditions persist, these reduced lake levels could be reached as early as 2006
The work will include slant drilling through sandstone bedrock of five new 54-inch diameter holes in which new water intake pipes and submersible pumps will be installed to withdraw lake water at an approximate elevation of 3,350 feet above sea level. The new intake structures will require Salt River Project to obtain a new easement within the boundary of the GLCA prior to construction.
Borings from the drilling will be transported by truck to land applied at a large ash disposal site on NGS grounds. The proposed modified water intake structure will not change the annual volume or the seasonal pattern of water withdrawals from those already being made by NGS.
This notice is an opportunity for the public to identify any issues or concerns they may have regarding this project. All comments are due by September 24, 2004, and should be mailed to :
EcoPlan Associates, Inc., 701 W. Southern Avenue, Suite 203, Mesa, Arizona 85210 or email dsmith@ecoplanaz.com or 480.733.6666; fax 480.733.6661
-NPS-
GLCA 2004-30
Additional Information:
Living Rivers/Colorado Riverkeeper
September 1, 2004, National Park Service News Release on Navajo Generating Station
Navajo Generating Station
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Letter from the Environmental Planner at EcoPlan Arizona
Map of NGS pumping plant
Comment letter from Living Rivers to EcoPlan Arizona
