August 23, 2004
Amy L. Hueslein
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Western Regional Office
P.O. Box 10
Phoenix, AZ 85001-0010
Re: Navajo Generating Station Water Intake Maintenance Project
Dear Ms. Hueslein:
In the fall of 2005, the Salt River Project (SRP) proposes to undertake a maintenance project on the water intake system for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) approximately 3 miles northeast of Page, Coconino County Arizona, in Section 15, Township 41 North, Range 9 East, as depicted on the Page, Arizona 7.5' U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Quadrangle (Figure 1 – Project Location and Figure 2 – Project Vicinity). An existing access road extends to the southwest into the adjacent Sections 21 and 22, where it intersects Antelope Point Road. NGS is located north of State Route (SR) 98 in Sections 35 and 36, as well as the adjacent Township 40 North, Range 9 East.
The purpose of the project is to ensure the future availability of cooling water for NGS operations due to the continuing decrease of the 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 the 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 proposed project will involve the installation of new water intake facilities on the grounds of the existing pump house facility, which is located adjacent to Lake Powell at an elevation of 3,734 above sea level on land leased to SRP by the Navajo Nation. 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 SRP to obtain a new easement within the boundary of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area prior to construction. Borings from the drilling will be transported by truck and land applied at a large ash disposal area 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.
In compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared to address the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of the new NGS water intakes. The National Park Service (NPS) will be the lead federal agency responsible for NEPA compliance. The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) will work cooperatively with the NPS and SRP in developing the EA.
Please identify any issues or concerns you have regarding this project and mail them to me at EcoPlan Associates, Inc., 701 W. Southern Avenue, Suite 203, Mesa, Arizona 85210; email them to dsmith@ecoplanaz.com; or fax them to 480.733.6661. We would appreciate receipt of your comments by September 24, 2004.
As the project environmental consultant, we will consolidate all comments and forward them to SRP, NPS, and USBR for consideration during project development and completion of the EA. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Donald C. Smith Senior Environmental Planner
