Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System EIS, NM

CLIENT:  BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

Postcard from the 1930s showing Camel Rock, a famous local landmark located on Tesuque Pueblo near Pojoaque, NM

Postcard from the 1930s showing Camel Rock, a famous local landmark located on Tesuque Pueblo near Pojoaque, NM

In response to the Aamodt Settlement Act, the Bureau of Reclamation, with direct NEPA support from EMPSi, evaluated the potential impacts from construction of the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System in Santa Fe County, NM. The system consists of surface water collection on the Rio Grande and treatment, transmission, storage, and distribution facilities, including almost 200 miles of pipelines, that will supply up to 4,000 acre-feet of water annually to the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque, along with some residents of Santa Fe County. EMPSi developed an extensive and targeted public involvement program designed to accommodate the individual needs of settlement parties, county residents, and a wide range of engineering and siting constraints.

EMPSi prepared the EIS, worked with cooperators and an engaged public, facilitated broad outreach to the Pueblos and county residents, and oversaw complex cultural and biological field surveys—including wetlands delineations and consultations with the USFWS, State Historic Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. EMPSi worked closely with the engineering staff to identify potential pipeline alignments that minimize potential impacts on important archaeological, biological, and riverine resources.

FAST FACTS:

  • $92 million design and construction contract is creating 90 new jobs over 4 years

  • Completed system will provide a firm, safe supply of treated drinking water to four Pueblos and Santa Fe County

  • Allows for aquifer recharge by reducing the impacts of groundwater pumping

  • Developed customized approaches for engaging with each Pueblo, along with other cooperators

  • Successfully concluded Section 7 consultation with the USFWS and Section 106 consultation with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer and various Tribes and Pueblos

  • Project won the 2019 Environmental Excellence, NEPA Planning Award from NAEP

The Rio Grande from Otowi Bridge near San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM

The Rio Grande from Otowi Bridge near San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM

EMPSi is very demonstrably oriented to the agency and to the successful completion of the NEPA process. [They have] maintained flexibility, a cooperative and collaborative nature, and a positive and professional demeanor . . . EMPSi’s understanding of the need and how best to address it, and their immediate responsiveness, resulted in increased stakeholder [Tribal] satisfaction with the NEPA process.

— Bureau of Reclamation