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<br />000749 <br /> <br />water and shall not detrimentally impact the Navajo Nation's unquantified rights to water in the <br />San Juan River. <br /> <br />Ute Mountain Ute On-Farm Proiect <br /> <br />Subsection 4(a)(2) of the Bill provides that nothing in these amendments shall affect "the <br />obligation of the Secretary of the Interior to deliver water from the Dolores Project and to <br />complete the construction of the facilities located on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation described <br />in several appropriations Bills." As written, subsection 4(a)(2) could be construed to create an <br />obligation for the Department to deliver water from the Dolores Project and to construct facilities <br />for delivery of water on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. <br /> <br />The Administration does not support this effort to bootstrap an authorization for such on-farm <br />project. The Department does not recognize an obligation to construct an on-farm project for the <br />Ute Mountain Ute Tribe nor is there existing authorization for appropriations for such a project. <br />This position was carefully presented in letters from John Duffy, Counselor to the Secretary, to <br />Judy Knight-Frank, Chairperson of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, on May 19, 1994, February 21, <br />1995, and May 31, 1995. <br /> <br />Conclusion <br /> <br />The Administration is hopeful that Congress and the Administration can identify a better way to <br />provide water to Colorado Ute Indian Tribes and settle their water rights claims. We strongly <br />oppose S. 1771, which would impede the search for a better solution. <br /> <br />The Administration recognizes that Colorado Ute Indian Tribes' demonstrated flexibility by their <br />willingness to accept less water than would have been available under the 1988 Settlement Act is <br />significant. We welcome continuing discussions with the Tribes on the best ways to effect water <br />delivery to meet their present and future needs. There are many voices seeking this end and <br />numerous options and tools available to Congress and the Administration to achieve meaningful <br />results. We want to engage the Tribes in that dialogue in hope of achieving resolution. <br /> <br />This concludes my remarks on S. 1771. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may <br />have. <br /> <br />10 <br />