WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bureau of Reclamation, an agency of The Department of the
Interior, has awarded a modification, to an existing contract, totaling $5.27 million to the Navajo
Nation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for purchasing pipeline
and related fittings for constructing key portions of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline
(NNMP).
"The stimulus funds made available today by the Department of the Interior through President
Obama's economic recovery plan will enable the Navajo Nation to augment an existing highly
stressed and aging drinking water supply system for the benefit of tribal residents living between
Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor.
The ARRA funds will be used by tribal contractors for key components of the construction of 21
miles (out of a total project of 29 miles) of the pipeline from Farmington to Shiprock and allow
for an earlier delivery of water to the Navajo Nation.
The NNMP was authorized as part of the Animas-La Plata Project by the Colorado Ute
Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 to provide for the delivery of 4,680 acre-feet of municipal
and industrial water per year from Farmington to Shiprock. The NNMP will follow the
approximate alignment of the existing Farmington-to-Shiprock pipeline and will connect to
existing distribution service laterals that serve communities in the Upper Fruitland, San Juan,
Nenahnezad, Hogback, Shiprock, Cudei and Beclaibito Chapters.
Department of the Interior water infrastructure investments in this project is part of the $1 billion nationwide effort that Interior will channel under the ARRA to restore aging infrastructure,
repair aging dams, provide drought relief and improve conservation of water.
The purposes of the ARRA are, among others, to quickly and prudently commence activities
which preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and to invest in infrastructure by
providing long-term economic benefits. Recovery Act funding must be obligated by Sept. 30,
2010.
Secretary Salazar has committed to quick and responsible implementation of the $3 billion in
recovery funds, which will be used by the Department of the Interior and its agencies.
Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the
implementation of the Department of the Interior's economic recovery projects. The public will
be able to follow the progress of each project on www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery.
Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and
an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force. Henderson and the Task Force will work closely
with the Department of the Interiors Inspector General to ensure that the recovery program is
meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility and transparency that President
Obama has set.
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of
hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States.
Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit Reclamation's website at www.usbr.gov.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
