The Bureau of Reclamation started developing the scope of work surrounding the appraisal study that would precede a feasibility study for the City of Flagstaff’s proposed Red Gap Ranch water project.
Red Gap Ranch, located approximately 40 miles east of Flagstaff, covers 8,500 acres. Flagstaff purchased the site in 2005 for $7.9M with the intention to utilize its groundwater via a pipeline.
Currently, the City owns more than enough water for the coming years. Red Gap Ranch is intended to serve as a lifeline and ensure the City has a 100-year water supply.
The ranch is also a part of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, meaning it may also be obligated to supply the nearby Navajo and Hopi tribes. NAIWRSA has yet to receive congressional approval. Neither the House nor the Senate passed the bill out of any committees.
Despite the Bureau of Reclamation greenlighting the studies, it is unclear how much involvement it will have in the project. The studies may provide more information on the Bureau’s role, but nothing is certain.
The scope of work is estimated to take 90 days to complete. This will be followed by the appraisal study, which is intended to discover the needs driving the project, as well as determine potential partners, solutions and obstacles. The appraisal study is estimated to last a year.
Once completed, the appraisal study could result in the Bureau issuing a recommendation for a feasibility study. This study would consist of the Bureau evaluating potential plans for the project. This could result in the Bureau choosing a single plan or taking no action. This process could last from two to four years.
Flagstaff is also involved in a lawsuit with Desert Mountain Energy surrounding the area. Flagstaff had alleged Desert Mountain’s planned helium extraction drilling could contaminate the groundwater. Flagstaff most recently petitioned the Arizona Supreme Court to consider an appellate court’s ruling that favored Desert Mountain. (Source)
