TABLE OF CONTENTS

DRAFT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

ALLOCATION OF WATER SUPPLY AND

LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXECUTION

CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT
CAP ALLOCATION DRAFT EIS TABLE OF CONTENTS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..........................................................................................ES-1

I PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION .................................................I-1

A. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................I-1

B. Background.....................................................................................................................................I-1

1. Overview of the CAP ................................................................................................................I-1

2. Previous CAP Allocations and Current Contract Status......................................................I-2

C. Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action..............................................................................I-5

D. Project Location .............................................................................................................................I-6

E. Relationship of this Proposed Allocation to Other Activities..................................................I-6

1. CAWCD ......................................................................................................................................I-6

2. Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement......................................................I-7

3. SAWRSA .....................................................................................................................................I-7

F. NEPA Considerations ...................................................................................................................I-7

G. Public Involvement/Scoping Process.........................................................................................I-8

II DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES.......................II-1

A. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................II-1

B. Criteria Used in Formulating Alternatives................................................................................II-1

C. Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis.........................................II-1

D. Alternatives Evaluated in the EIS ..............................................................................................II-3

1. Settlement Alternative (Proposed Action) ............................................................................II-5

a. M&I Sector.............................................................................................................................II-7

b. NIA Sector .............................................................................................................................II-7

c. Indian Sector..........................................................................................................................II-7

(1) GRIC.................................................................................................................................II-8

(2) TON..................................................................................................................................II-8

d. Other Uses.............................................................................................................................II-9

2. Non-Settlement Alternatives...................................................................................................II-9

a. Non-Settlement Alternative 1 .............................................................................................II-9

(1) M&I Sector.....................................................................................................................II-10

(2) NIA Sector .....................................................................................................................II-10

(3) Indian Sector .................................................................................................................II-10

b. Non-Settlement Alternative 2...........................................................................................II-11

(1) M&I Sector.....................................................................................................................II-11

(2) NIA Sector .....................................................................................................................II-11

(3) Indian Sector .................................................................................................................II-11

c. Non-Settlement Alternative 3 ...........................................................................................II-12

(1) M&I Sector.....................................................................................................................II-13

(2) NIA Sector .....................................................................................................................II-14

(3) Indian Sector .................................................................................................................II-14

3. No Action Alternative ............................................................................................................II-15

a. M&I Sector...........................................................................................................................II-15

b. NIA Sector ...........................................................................................................................II-16

c. Indian Sector........................................................................................................................II-16

E. Effects of alternatives on selected resources ...........................................................................II-16

III AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES.......... III-1

A. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... III-1
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1. Purpose..................................................................................................................................... III-1

2. Assumptions............................................................................................................................ III-1

3. Resources Evaluated and Structure of Section ................................................................... III-2

a. Methodology....................................................................................................................... III-2

b. Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... III-2

c. Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... III-2

.d. Other Resources ................................................................................................................ III-4

B. WATER RESOURCES ................................................................................................................ III-5

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................. III-5

2. Impact Analysis Methodology.............................................................................................. III-5

a. Groundwater Level Impact Analysis Methodology...................................................... III-5

 b. Groundwater Quality Impact Analysis Methodology .................................................. III-6

c. Subsidence Impact Analysis Methodology..................................................................... III-6

d. Effluent Impacts Analysis Methodology ........................................................................ III-7

e. Mainstem Impacts Analysis Methodology ..................................................................... III-7

3. Affected Environment............................................................................................................ III-7

a. Pinal/Salt River Valley ...................................................................................................... III-7

b. Avra Valley ......................................................................................................................... III-8

c. Tucson Area......................................................................................................................... III-9

d. SC Apache Tribe................................................................................................................. III-9

e. Navajo-Hopi Reservations .............................................................................................. III-10

f. Tonopah Irrigation District (TID).................................................................................... III-10

g. Carefree Basin................................................................................................................... III-11

h. Chaparral Area ................................................................................................................. III-11

4. Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. III-12

 a. Pinal County Area ............................................................................................................ III-12

 (1) No Action Alternative ................................................................................................ III-12

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-13

b. Gila River Indian Community ........................................................................................ III-14

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-14

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-14

c. East Salt River Valley ....................................................................................................... III-15

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-15

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-16

d. West Salt River Valley ..................................................................................................... III-17

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-17

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-18

e. Avra Valley........................................................................................................................ III-18

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-18

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-19

f. Tucson Area ....................................................................................................................... III-19

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-19

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-19

g. San Carlos Apache Tribe ................................................................................................. III-20

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-20

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-20

h. Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation....................................................................................... III-20

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-21
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(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-21

i. Tonopah Irrigation District .............................................................................................. III-21

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-21

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-22

j. Carefree Sub-Basin ............................................................................................................ III-22

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-22

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-22

k. Chaparral/Fountain Hills ............................................................................................... III-23

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-23

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-23

l. Effluent................................................................................................................................ III-23

m. Colorado River Mainstem.............................................................................................. III-24

5. Summary of Water Resources Impacts.............................................................................. III-24

C. SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES......................................................................................... III-27

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... III-27

2. Impact Analysis Methodology............................................................................................ III-27

a. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-27

b. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-27

c. Indian Sector...................................................................................................................... III-29

d. Power Generation Sector................................................................................................. III-29

e. CAP Repayment ............................................................................................................... III-29

f. RRA ..................................................................................................................................... III-30

g. Indian Water Rights Settlement Litigation Costs ........................................................ III-30

3. Affected Environment.......................................................................................................... III-30

a. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-30

b. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-30

c. Indian Sector...................................................................................................................... III-31

d. Power Generation ............................................................................................................ III-31

e. CAP Repayment ............................................................................................................... III-31

f. RRA ..................................................................................................................................... III-31

g. Indian Water Rights Settlement Litigation Costs ........................................................ III-33

4. Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. III-34

a. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-34

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-34

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-34

b. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-34

(1) No Action Alternatives .............................................................................................. III-36

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-36

 c. Indian Sector................................................................................................................... III-346

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-36

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-36

d. Power Generation Sector................................................................................................. III-38

e. CAP Repayment ............................................................................................................... III-38

f. RRA ..................................................................................................................................... III-39

g. Indian Water Rights Settlement Litigation Costs ........................................................ III-40

5. Summary of Socioeconomic Impacts ................................................................................. III-40

D. LAND USE................................................................................................................................ III-43

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... III-43
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2. Impact Analysis Methodology............................................................................................ III-43

a. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-43

b. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-45

c. Indian Sector...................................................................................................................... III-45

3. Affected Environment.......................................................................................................... III-46

a. General Land Use ............................................................................................................. III-46

b. M&I Land Use................................................................................................................... III-47

c. Agricultural Land Use ..................................................................................................... III-47

 d. Indian Land Use ............................................................................................................... III-47

(1) GRIC............................................................................................................................. III-47

(2) TON.............................................................................................................................. III-48

(3) SC Apache Tribe ......................................................................................................... III-48

(4) Hopi Tribe.................................................................................................................... III-48

(5) Navajo Nation............................................................................................................. III-49

e. Prime Farmland ................................................................................................................ III-49

4. Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. III-49

a. Prime Farmland ................................................................................................................ III-50

b. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-50

(1) No Action Alternative................................................................................................ III-50

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-51

c. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-51

(1) No Action..................................................................................................................... III-51

(2) Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives ......................................................... III-51

d. Indian Sector..................................................................................................................... III-51

(1) GRIC............................................................................................................................. III-51

(2) TON.............................................................................................................................. III-52

(3) SC Apache Tribe ......................................................................................................... III-53

(4) Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe ................................................................................. III-54

E. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................... III-55

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... III-55

2. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... III-55

3. Affected Environment.......................................................................................................... III-56

a. Vegetation Associations .................................................................................................. III-56

b. Fish and Wildlife .............................................................................................................. III-58

c. Colorado River Mainstem ............................................................................................... III-58

d. Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species ................................... III-59

4. Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. III-63

a. Development of desertlands for agriculture................................................................. III-64

b. Conversion of desert to urban uses ............................................................................... III-64

c. Conversion of agricultural lands to urban uses ........................................................... III-64

d. Conversion of agricultural lands to fallow fields ........................................................ III-64

e. Impact to riparian areas from reductions in effluent discharge................................. III-65

f. Impacts to Colorado River mainstem............................................................................. III-65

5. Impacts to T&E species ........................................................................................................ III-65

F. CULTURAL RESOURCES....................................................................................................... III-67

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... III-67

2. Impact Analysis Methodology............................................................................................ III-67

3. Affected Environment.......................................................................................................... III-69
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a. M&I Sector......................................................................................................................... III-69

b. NIA Sector ......................................................................................................................... III-70

c. Indian Sector...................................................................................................................... III-70

4. Environmental Consequences............................................................................................. III-71

5. M&I Sector ............................................................................................................................. III-72

a. No Action Alternative...................................................................................................... III-72

b. Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives............................................................... III-72

6. NIA Sector.............................................................................................................................. III-72

a. No Action Alternative...................................................................................................... III-72

b. Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives............................................................... III-72

7. Indian Sector.......................................................................................................................... III-73

a. No Action Alternative...................................................................................................... III-73

b. Settlement and Non-Settlement Alternatives............................................................... III-73

(1) GRIC............................................................................................................................. III-73

(2) TON.............................................................................................................................. III-73

(3) SC Apache Tribe ......................................................................................................... III-73

(4) Navajo/Hopi............................................................................................................... III-74

G. AIR QUALITY .......................................................................................................................... III-75

1. Impact Analysis Methodology............................................................................................ III-75

2. Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................. III-76

3. Impacts ................................................................................................................................... III-77

a. No Action Alternative...................................................................................................... III-77

b. Settlement Alternative and Non-Settlement Alternatives .......................................... III-80

4. Summary of Air Quality Impacts ....................................................................................... III-85

a. Impacts related to urbanization/new construction..................................................... III-86

b. Agricultural production .................................................................................................. III-86

5. Mitigation Measures............................................................................................................. III-86

a. Mitigation of Construction Impacts............................................................................... III-86

b. Mitigation of Air Quality Impacts.................................................................................. III-87

IV OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS........................................................ IV-1

A. Cumulative Impacts (40 CFR 1508.7, 1508.25) ....................................................................... IV-1

B. Relationship Between Short-Term Uses and Long-Term Productivity (NEPA Section

102(2)(c)(v) and 40 CFR 1502.16)........................................................................................ IV-5

C. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources (NEPA Section 102(2)(c)(v) and 40

CFR 1502.16). ........................................................................................................................ IV-6

D. Indian Trust Assets .................................................................................................................... IV-6

E. Environmental Justice.......................................................................................................... IV-8

F. Compliance with Environmental Statutes and Policies....................................................... IV-10

V ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS............................................................................. V-1

A. CAP Water Allocated to M&I Entities...................................................................................... V-1

B. CAP Water Allocated to Indian Entities................................................................................... V-1

C. NIA Entities.................................................................................................................................. V-2

VI LIST OF PREPARERS......................................................................................V-1

VII DISTRIBUTION LIST.....................................................................................VII-1

VIII LIST OF ACRONYMS...................................................................................VIII-1

IX REFERENCES.............................................................................................. IX-1

X GLOSSARY....................................................................................................X-1

XI INDEX...........................................................................................................XI-1
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TECHNICAL APPENDICES

VOLUME TWO

APPENDIX A – BACKGROUND ASSUMPTIONS FOR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

APPENDIX B – CAP ALLOCATION HISTORY

APPENDIX C – FUTURE WATER USES BY MUNICIPALITIES

APPENDIX D – SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS

APPENDIX E – BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND DATA SUMMARIES

APPENDIX F – SCOPING REPORT

APPENDIX G – CULTURAL RESOURCES OVERVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED CENTRAL

ARIZONA PROJECT WATER REALLOCATION PLAN

APPENDIX H – AIR QUALITY CALCULATIONS

VOLUME THREE

APPENDIX I – GROUNDWATER ANALYSIS

APPENDIX J – MAINSTEM IMPACTS ANALYSIS

APPENDIX K – CAP COST ALLOCATION AND REPAYMENT ANALYSIS

APPENDIX L – INDIVIDUAL ENTITY DESCRIPTIONS

APPENDIX M – RELEVANT CENTRAL ARIZONA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

BOARD BRIEFS

APPENDIX N – ADWR CAP ALOCATION RECOMMENDATION LETTER

APPENDIX O – STIPULATION FOR CAWCD V UNITED STATES

APPENDIX P – COMMON CONVERSION FACTORS TO METRIC UNITS
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LIST OF TABLES

Page

II-1 Summary Table of New Allocations – M&I II-17

II-2 Summary Table of New CAP Allocations – NIA II-18

II-3 Summary Table of New Allocations – Indian II-19

II-4 Summary of Alternatives II-20

II-5 Effects of Alternatives on Selected Resources II-21

III-1 Groundwater Impacts In Year 2051 for All Entities III-26

III-2 Excess Land Under the RRA III-33

III-3 First Round Economic Impacts on Three-County Area – NIA III-36

III-4 First Round Economic Impacts on Three-County Area – Indian III-37

III-5 Study Year Impacts of Construction of Indian Distribution Systems III-38

III-6 Total Economic Impact on Three-County Area - Output III-41

III-7 Total Economic Impact on Three-County Area - Jobs III-41

III-8 Total Economic Impact on Three-County Area - Income III-42

III-9 Land Ownership – Maricopa County III-46

III-10 Land Ownership – Pinal County III-46

III-11 Land Ownership – Pima County III-47

III-12 Land Use Changes 2001-2051 III-50

III-13 Agricultural Acreage Developed by GRIC Under Action Alternatives III-52

III-14 Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species III-60

III-15 Summary of habitat variables for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl III-62

III-16 Maricopa County Mobile Source Emission Projections III-78

III-17 Maricopa County Agricultural and Fugitive Dust Emission Projections III-78

III-18 Pinal County Emission Projections III-79

III-19 Pima County Emission Projections III-79

III-20 Net Agricultural Air Emissions Under the Settlement Alternative III-81

III-21 Net Agricultural Air Emissions Under Non-Settlement Alternative 1 III-82

III-22 Net Agricultural Air Emissions Under Non-Settlement Alternative 2 III-83

III-23 Net Agricultural Air Emissions Under Non-Settlement Alternative 3A III-84

III-24 Net Agricultural Air Emissions Under Non-Settlement Alternative 3B III-85

IV-1 Applicable State Permits, Approvals and Regulatory Requirements IV-15

IV-2 Applicable Contracts, Legislation, and Agreements IV-18
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LIST OF FIGURES

Following Page

I-1 Central Arizona Project I-2

I-2 History of Current CAP Water Supplies (1983 Record of Decision to Present) I-5

II-1 Settlement Alternative – Distribution of CAP Water Supplies II-6

II-2 Non-Settlement Alternative 1 – Distribution of CAP Water Supplies II-10

II-3 Non-Settlement Alternative 2 – Distribution of CAP Water Supplies II-11

II-4 Non-Settlement Alternative 3 – Distribution of CAP Water Supplies II-13

II-5 No Action Alternative – Distribution of CAP Water Supplies II-15

II-6 M&I Sector Location Map II-16

II-7 Non-Indian Agricultural Sector Location Map II-16

II-8 Indian Sector Location Map II-16

III-1 General Location of Groundwater Model Areas III-7

III-2 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for Pinal Subareas III-14

III-3 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for GRIC III-15

III-4 Estimated Groundwater Levels Occurring in the Vicinity of GRUSP III-16

III-5 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for East SRV III-17

III-6 Comparison of Year 2051 Impacts in QCIDD and NMIDD III-17

III-7 Estimated Groundwater Levels Occurring in the Vicinity of the Agua Fria

Recharge Facility III-18

III-8 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for West SRV III-18

III-9 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for San Xavier III-20

III-10 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 for the Tucson Area III-20

III-11 Comparison of Groundwater Level Impacts in Year 2051 in TID III-23

III-12 1997 Arizona Gross State Product by Sector III-30

III-13 1999 Unemployment Rates III-31

III-14 NIA Irrigated Acreage III-34

III-15 NIA CAP Water Use III-34

III-16 NIA Groundwater Use III-34

III-17 Incremental Indian Agricultural Acreage at Build-Out III-36

III-18 CAP Water Usage for Indian Irrigation at Build-Out III-36