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!G~MAS-LA PLATA PROJECT ~, 6. WHO HANDLES RECREATION FACILITIES ON RESERVOIRS? The recreation areas at Ridges Basin Reservoir will be administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. The management of Southern Ute Reservoir recreation facilities has not been determined as of this date. However, the Southern Ute Tribe has voiced an interest in managing the facilities at this reservoir. 7. How MUCH WATER W[LL THERE BE FOR RECREATION AND FISHING? No water has been specifically allocated for recreation or fishing. However, large in- active pools are reserved in each of the reservoirs which will insure signi- ficant recreation and fishery benefits. INDIAN WATER RIGHTS & INDUSTRIAL WATER USERS I. HQw DO INDIAN WATER RIGHTS FIT INTO THE PICTURE WITHOUT THE PROJECT? w~thout the project Indian water rights will be determined by the courts on the basis of court decisions beginning back in 1908. These decisions have been based on promises made to the Indians by the federal government that water would be provided on the reservations for "irrigable lands." Just how this term would be applied to Indian lands would determine how much water the tribes would get. Without the project to satisfy, in advance, these tribal claims, the courts could make rulings that would be disasterous to holders of water rights on the Mancos, La plata and Animas Rivers because the Indians would have rights that date back to 1868, the time the reservations were formed. The Animas-La Plata Project would provide water to develop all of the Ute Indian land and coal resources that are now economically feasible to develop. I '< } 2; WILL THE UTE TRIBES GIVE UP THEIR WATER RIGHT CLAIMS IF THE PROJECT IS BU[LT? Not necessarily. However, the Dolores and Animas-La Plata Pro- jects woula provide a total of about 80,000 acre-feet of water that would develop all the Tribes' land and coal resources that are economically feasible to develop. Conceivably the courts may grant the Tribes rights for some small amounts of land or coal resources beyond those developed by the project. HOw- ever, for all practical purposes, the projects will solve the social and eco- nomic problems that would otherwise be created by the exercising of the Tribes water rights. -, 3. 'f! ~~;; How LONG [S THE MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL ALLOCATION OF PROJECT WATER? WHAT ARE THE INTENDED USES? The total allocation amounts to 81,100 acre-feet. Of this amount 9,200 acre-feet is for municipal use in Colorado and 39,400 acre-feet in New Mexico.. The remaining 32,500 acre-feet is identi- fied for development of coal resources - 26,500 acre-feet for the Southern Ute Tribe and 6,000 for the Ute Mountain Tribe. The Tribes have not as yet determined the method or methods, of coal de- velopment. The alternatives are electric power generation, liquifaction, gasification or slurry pipe line. ri: ~:J {\ !'^" i'< ~~~ ~~:,; -.-:> ;", ..~.' <, 4. Is THERE A MARKET FOR THE INDIAN COAL RESOURCES IN SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO? Yes, there is a fast growing market in this area. Colorado Ute estimates a need for 600 megawatts by 1987 and 1000 megawattas by 1992. 5. IF THE UTE COAL [S PROCESSED LOCALLY, WHERE WOULD THE SITE MOST Ll KELY BE? Near the water source at Southern Ute Reservoir. It could be on either side of the Colorado-New Mexico State line approximately 30 miles from Durango. ~AN THE SOUTHERN UTES AFFORD TO PAY BACK THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE __6.000 ACRE-FEET OF WATER PROMISED THEM FROM THE PROJECT? IF NOT, W[LL THEY SELL THE WATER TO ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL USER? Yes, availabil~ty of industrial water makes possible development of the coal resources owned by the Ute Tribes. The cost of water is only a small part of the total costs of such a development. There would be no incentive to sell the water for non- Indian coal development when they have the opportunity to market theirown coal. 6. 11