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'- . . Page 4 WRW washn x x x settlement The Indian settlement is included in the CUP agreement. It pro- vides for a final settlement of tribal water claims, and quantifies the tribal water rights of the state's Ute Indians. It provides for further development of the Utes' farming operation, for reservoir, stream, habitat and road improvements on the tribal reservation and for tribal development. Hatch told the Senate on April 10 this In- dian settlement creates "financial investment opportunities in lieu of costly and infeasible water development projects" for the tribe. CUP REFORMS IN AGREEMENT CUWCD recently put out a backgrounder on the CUP agreement in- cluding "precedent-setting reforms." They are as follows: .project features have been redesigned to minimize costs and to protect and enhance the environment. .Accounting reforms de-authorize outdated projects, change cost allocations, "terminate abuses and unjustifiable subsidies." .The agreement requires that binding contracts must exist for not less than 90 per cent of the water to be delivered before spend- ing can begin on developing specific project features. .CUWCD is authorized to construct the remaining project features instead of the Bu/Rec under strict standards of responsibility, in- cluding a ceiling on costs and time limitations on constructing each feature. For the first time a water district--CUWCD--is authorized to construct a major water project in this country. BU/Rec CUP project managers have all gone to work for CUWCD, WRW was told on May 12. .Features requiring further development require a 35 percent non-federal cost~share to be paid concurrently with the 65 percent in federal funding. Cost overruns must be paid 100 percent by non-feds. .Comprehensi ve total system water management is mandated by specific conservation and efficiency improvement goals set by law. .A fish, wildlife and recreation commission is established to provide oversight and administration of all future funds proposed for mitigation and enhancement activities. .Numerous in-stream flow levels are mandated to enhance non-ex- istent and present fisheries. . Uncompleted environmental mitigation is described, scheduled and mandated. .Environmental enhancement opportunities easily incorporated into the project are identified and required to be implemented. .Some funding is provided to a coalition of local outdoor groups to keep the lines of communication open and meaningful participation by these groups in the completion of CUP. One of the criticisms of CUP under the au/Rec's construction program has been that the project had become remote from the state and the local people, even tho they are sharing costs and are beneficiaries of the project. Garn told the Senate on April 10 the CUP agreement in the omni- bus reclamation bill provides for "the delivery of M&I water to nearly 1 million people who reside in Salt Lake and Utah Counties, and it creates a water supply for an additional 400,000 people." Some 70,000 acre-feet of CUP water already has been spoken for by the water districts of Salt Lake City and County, WRW was told on May 12. The agreement also provides for the construction of a reliable sup- plemental irrigation system for the people in rural central Utah. (more)