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JUL.18.1997 4:15PM 1'10.488 P.3/9 Plata Project, and how did the San Juan Water CD mission get Involved? The 1988 Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act recognized the legitimate water rights claim established by treaty In 1868, a d promised the Ute Indian tribes a permanent, reliable water source to me t their present and future needs. These are water rights that have been fflrmed by the Supreme Court and ratified by Congress. The Animas-la P ta Project, the foundation for the Settlement, would divert a small portio of the annual runoff from the Animas RIver into an off-stream reserv ir, rather than damming the river and flooding the river valley. The reservoir will provide the Ute Indian Tribes with control of their wa r resource for the first time since 1868, When the treaty which gave the Utes the water rights was signed. In New Mexico, the San Juan Water mmlsslon was created to provide iii stable water supply for the reslden of San Juan County. The primary ~ source of water for the r dents was the Animas-La Plata Project. 4. What were the main complaints about the ALP, and h are they being addressed? Some criticized the original plan as too expensive and p viding too IltUe benefit to the Indians. Opponent environmentalists raised concerns about the scope of the project and its potential adverse effects 0 threatened and endangered species. The new proposal, by shelving i gatlon facilities, reduces costs dramatically and eliminates most of th environmental concems, The Colorado and New Mexico water users ave proposed a compromise that works, addresses the concerns of the op nents and saves taxpayers more than half a billion dollars. 5. What facilities will be constructed? A reduced reservoir, intake and outlet facilities. No facilitie to deliver water to irrigation are included. 6. Do the depletions fit within the Endangered SpeCies ct limitation of 57,100 AFY? Yes. SJWC Q&A on ALP Agre~ent in Caneept o1uly 8, 3,997 Page 2