Navajo-Black Mesa Coal Haul Railroad, Navajo Project, Arizona

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Navajo-Black Mesa Coal Haul Railroad, Navajo Project, Arizona

The project concerns the construction of Navajo-Black Mesa Coal Haul Railroad which will transport coal fuel to the Navajo Generating Station. The preferred route location extends for 78 miles from the rail loading site in Navajo County, Arizona, to the plantsite near Page in Coconino County, Arizona and crosses a portion of the 1882 Executive Order Reservation, jointly owned by the Navajo and Hopi Indians. The project area is known as the Great Basin Desert Biome. A preliminary ecological reconnaissance report recommends further studies, including monitoring the environmental changes which may occur due to the construction and operation of the Railroad and the Generating Station. Approximately 1,125 acres of desert grazing land will be committed to the railroad. The esthetic quality of the environment will be altered. The operation of the railroad will present a hazard to livestock, wildlife, and people. This hazard will be minimized by fencing. The fenced right-of-way will result in creating a barrier to movement of animals and people. This impact will be minimized by providing grade crossings and underpasses. The railroad will represent a substantial manmade intrusion in an area which has been relatively untouched by large manmade objects.