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<br />l)n1~g8 <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />agricultural benefits. The Bureau should withdraw the EA and do a searching analysis of socio- <br />,economic impacts. <br />Response 38- The proposed action uses facilities of the Dolores Project but is not considered <br />'part of the Dolores Project. Loans from the State of Colorado will be used by DWCD for some <br />of the costs. Some irrigated lands are being used for development in the general area and this is <br />one reason water shares from MVIC are available for new irrigation. Irrigation methods will be <br />efficient with relative low water use per acre; crops will include alfalfa, beans, and other that are <br />used for livestock feed or human consumption. <br /> <br />Comment 39- Need a thorough cost analysis related to the various courses of action-related <br />back to historic contract commitments. How many times are taxpayers underwriting aspects of <br />this project and how much are various users paying; and who pays the subsidized interest rates. <br />Response 39- The proposed action does not increase or subtract from water use within the <br />Dolores Project area and therefore, would not impact any of the original assumptions concerning <br />socio-economic conditions as stated in the April 1977 DPR. The Carriage eontract project <br />would be funded by DWCD using its own revenues and loan from the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board. <br /> <br />Cultural Resources <br /> <br />Comment 40-The Pueblo of Zuni has officially expressed its concern for any Ancestral Puebloan <br />and Pre-Puebloan archeological sites, trails, shrines, and other historic properties which might be <br />affected by the undertaking. In a letter of March 22, 200 I, they requested that such properties be <br />treated as Traditional Cultural Properties because of their significance to the cultural history of <br />the tribe and requested to be further consulted. The Zuni Tribe also claims cultural affiliation to <br />all Puebloan and Pre-Puebloan Ancestral burials and associated funerary objects under <br />NAGPRA. <br />Response 40-Reclamation acknowledges the Zuni Tribes request and will continue to consult <br />with the Pueblo and other Tribes and groups, who express interest or claims, during the course of <br />the Carriage Contract project. As noted in the text of the EA, it is unlikely that NAGPRA will <br />apply since the Carriage eontract project occurs on private lands (however, State burial laws <br />would apply). As also noted in the text, this EA serves as a record of consultation under the <br />National Historic Preservation Act and the Memorandum of Agreement on the Dolores Project <br />with the State Historic Preservation Officer. <br /> <br />Comment 41- The Hopi Tribe requested to be a consulting party on the proposal. The Hopi <br />Tribe claims cultural affiliation to the prehistoric cultural groups in southwestern eolorado, <br />including the Basketmaker and Pueblo groups. The Hopi Tribe considers their ancestral villages, <br />referred to as archaeological sites, to be Hopi Traditional Cultural Places. Other Hopi <br />Traditional Cultural Places are associated with ancestral villages, and include shrines, trails, and <br />traditional gathering places. Archeological sites and isolated occurrences are considered to be <br />"footprints" of Hopi ancestors, and evidence of their fulfillment of a covenant. <br />Response 41-The Hopi Tribe's request has been recognized and Reclamation will continue to <br />consult with the Tribe and provide information from cultural surveys of the Carriage Contract <br /> <br />33 <br />