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<br />'J <br /> <br />000755 <br /> <br />Statement <br />of <br />Thomas C. Tumey <br />New Mexico State Engineer <br />before the <br />Senate Committee on Indian Affairs <br />and <br />Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Senate Energy and Natural <br />Resources Committee <br />on <br />S. 1771, the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 1998 <br /> <br />June 24, 1998 <br /> <br />I appear today on behalf of S. 1771, which would make changes to the authorized Animas La <br />Plata project, a project to which communities in New Mexico are beneficiaries. <br /> <br />The need for a dependable water supply for Northwest New Mexico has long been recognized. <br />Communities divert water from the Animas River which historically has run dry during periods of <br />extended drought. Raw water storage must be provided to supply water when the river is in a <br />low flow stage. The Animas - La Plata project is designed to provide a water source during low <br />flow river conditions for both Indian and non Indian Communities in New Mexico, a goal which <br />the State of New Mexico strongly supports. <br /> <br />On June 24, 1 997, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, passed a resolution <br />supporting a modified Animas La Plata Project that: <br /> <br />Substantially lowers project costs from the current approximately $750 million estimated cost; <br /> <br />Stays with the 57,1 00 acre-feet of depletion allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />Biological Opinion, <br /> <br />Is designed to protect senior and junior New Mexico water rights, <br /> <br />Transfers or assigns that portion of the Animas-La Plata Water Right Permit concerned with <br />municipal and industrial use, now held by the Secretary of the Interior, to the holders of municipal <br />and industrial permits previously issued by the New Mexico State Engineer. <br /> <br />S. 1 771 is designed to support these objectives. Although we have not been provided a detailed <br />breakdown of project costs or design configurations, it is our understanding that the estimated <br />project costs have been substantially reduced. <br /> <br />The bill further provides for a distribution of project water which stays within the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Services Biological Opinion. <br />