Bill Overview
Title: Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2022
Description: This bill revises the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (a water infrastructure project in New Mexico), including by extending through December 31, 2029, the deadline for constructing project facilities and allowing for additional project service areas.
Sponsors: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: Residents served by the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, including the Navajo Nation
Estimated Size: 321000
- The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project primarily serves the Navajo Nation, which has a population of approximately 300,000 people.
- The project also impacts the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the city of Gallup, New Mexico.
- The project is located in the New Mexico region, which indirectly affects regional municipalities and rural communities suffering from water scarcity.
- The expansion of service areas means more individuals are likely to be affected positively due to increased water supply.
Reasoning
- The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is crucial for providing a reliable water source to regions that have historically faced water scarcity, mainly impacting indigenous communities and rural areas in New Mexico.
- Since the project directly addresses water supply, its primary benefit is expected to be improvements in the quality of life for the inhabitants, especially in terms of health, economic stability, and educational access.
- Given the project budget, not every individual in the targeted population will experience an immediate or equally significant improvement in their wellbeing.
- The population directly benefitting (around 321,000 individuals) includes the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, and residents of Gallup, indicating that opinions and changes in wellbeing could vary based on proximity and current water access situations.
- Considering the project's timeline and budget constraints, the full impact on wellbeing might not be fully realized until later years.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to clean water has always been a struggle in my community.
- With this project, I hope we can have better hygiene and less health issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Gallup, New Mexico)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping this project will reduce water costs and expand my businesses' growth.
- Currently, water scarcity makes it difficult to maintain stock.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the project will help us understand and implement sustainable water use.
- Access to regular clean water is crucial for our community's health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water scarcity impacts our daily life and makes us more reliant on bottled resources.
- I hope this project makes basics more accessible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Healthcare Worker (Gallup, New Mexico)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The water project will greatly improve public health in our area.
- Poor water quality leads to numerous health issues that can be prevented.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Community Organizer (Navajo Nation, New Mexico)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our main battle has been the advocacy for better infrastructure.
- This project provides necessary improvements and helps future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Water Resource Engineer (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The project signifies a move towards sustainable water management.
- While I'm not directly affected, I provide support to those who are.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Journalist (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project is a significant milestone and should bring notable changes.
- I hope to report on the success stories arising from this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extension gives more time to reach areas underserved until now.
- I aim to help assess the policy's impact on local communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Artisan (Navajo Nation, New Mexico)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water access is critical for both personal and business needs.
- I foresee better business prospects with improved water infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Year 2: $950000000 (Low: $850000000, High: $1050000000)
Year 3: $950000000 (Low: $850000000, High: $1050000000)
Year 5: $900000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Existing water systems' integration with the expanded project may present technical and logistical challenges.
- The environmental impact of extended construction timelines should be mitigated.
- Coordination with tribal authorities, local governments, and federal agencies will be crucial for successful implementation.