The Bureau of Reclamation and Jicarilla Apache Nation are beginning negotiations on a proposed repayment contract for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. The contract will provide the terms and conditions by which the Nation will repay its portion of project construction and operation, maintenance, and replacement costs.

The project, authorized by the Northwest New Mexico Rural Projects Act of 2009, will convey approximately 37,376 acre-feet of water annually from the San Juan River to the eastern section of the Navajo Nation, southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the city of Gallup via about 260 miles of pipeline, 24 pumping plants, and two water treatment plants.

The first negotiation meeting is scheduled for August 17 at 8 a.m. at the Nation's Headquarters located at 25 Hawks Drive, Dulce, New Mexico. All negotiations are open to the public as observers and a 30-minute public question/comment period will be provided following the negotiation session.

The proposed contract and other pertinent documents will be available at the negotiation meeting, or can be obtained by contacting Pat Page of the Bureau of Reclamation, 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 300, Durango, Colorado, 81301; telephone (970) 385-6560 or e-mail at ppage@usbr.gov. The documents are also available on the Western Colorado Area Office home page under "Current Focus".