US Bureau of Reclamation Awards EMPSi $4.28 Million Contract for Environmental Services
Environmental Services for Pojoaque Regional Water System
SANTA FE, NM - November 12, 2012 -- Environmental Management Planning Services, Inc. (EMPSi) has been awarded a $4.28 million contract by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for support services associated with the development of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System in Santa Fe County, New Mexico.
“We are honored to partner with Reclamation in developing a functional project that protects the rich cultural and natural resources of the basin, and meets the unique needs of the pueblos and local residents,” said EMPSi Project Manager David Batts.
EMPSi will be working with Reclamation to ensure that the project is compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Under NEPA, construction of the regional water system requires Reclamation to conduct and make available to the public an evaluation of alternatives and an analysis of potential environmental impacts that could result from each project alternative, including impacts on water quality, wildlife and vegetation, cultural resources, tribal interests, and social and economic justice. The cumulative effects of project actions on these and other resources will be addressed in the EIS.
The Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System project, a result of the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act (Public Law 1111-291, Title VI, Sections 601 through 626), will develop water infrastructure in the Rio Grande Basin to support the water rights claims of the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Tesuque and other water rights holders within the basin. The water system will supply up to 4,000 acre-feet of water annually to customers within the Pojoaque Basin. Project components include surface water diversion facilities at San Ildefonso Pueblo and treatment, transmission, storage, and distribution facilities and aquifer storage and recovery well fields.
Contact: David Batts, (505) 226-0173
About EMPSi (http://www.empsi.com)
EMPSi is an environmental consulting firm with offices in San Francisco, Denver, Reno, and Washington, DC. Focusing on five service areas – Environmental Planning and Compliance, Natural Resources Consulting, Public Outreach and Participation, Project Management, and Sustainability – EMPSi works with government, commercial, and nonprofit clients on complex projects throughout the U.S.