Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton announced today that "following an intensive review of environmental protective measures," he approved document covering construction arrangements, transmission rights-of-way, and electrical interconnection for the Navajo steam electric generating power plant near Page, Arizona.
In his announcement Secretary Morton said:
"I have imposed numerous specific requirements as a condition of my approval of various documents relating to the Navajo power plant construction. I want to be certain that the facilities needed to supply electricity' for the Southwest will be built and operated in a way that will assure maximum protection' to the environmental values of that area.
“I have directed all offices in the Department of the Interior to see that all these requirements are implemented and enforced in the years ahead," Secretary Morton also said.
The Secretary also said plans had been approved for electrostatic precipitators to control particulate emissions from the stacks and for a pumping station that will deliver cooling water from Lake. Powell. Federal, State and local environmental authorities shared in the review of these projects.
Five Southwest utilities are building the Navajo power plant. The Bureau of Reclamation is also a participant to secure pumping energy for the Central Arizona Project.
The Interior Department last February 4 submitted to the Council on Environmental Quality its final environmental impact statement on the project.
In previously executed documents relating to the Navajo power plant project, developers have been required to and the Navajo and Hopi Indian communities whose resources would be affected by the construction. Also quilt into construction requirements are stipulations designed to protect air, -- water and land ecosystems and insure compliance with Federal and State standards.
The Co-Tenancy Agreement, for example, specifies that:
"The Participants will design, construct, operate and maintain the Navajo Project in a manner consistent with the Participant’s objective of attaining the greatest feasible degree of environmental protection. In addition to fulfilling all obligations which have been assumed under provisions relating to environmental protection. The participants shall to the extent practicable anticipate and make provision for the future installation of any systems required to comply with changes in said laws, orders, regulations, rules and standards.”
Design, construction and operational plans for the Navajo steam electric generating power plant must meet all Federal, State and local air and water quality standard provide for protection of archeological values and historic places restore and revegetate coal mined areas; provide for the protection of ground and surface waters; meet the environmental criteria of the Interior and Agriculture Departments in building of transmission lines.
Additional agreements and approvals still to be executed will also be subject to the numerous environmental protection stipulations.
