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JUL-~I-~~ MUN 08:20 AM to AX NU. r. UCl OJ0768 The Tribal claims encompassed the potential irrigation of some 93,000 acres, in over 25 stream systems. Most of these lands were in the La Plata and Mancos River Basins, which were water- short and over-appropriated. Success by the Tribes would totally eliminate existing non-Indian irrigation, disrupting local economies and creating hostility between Indians and non-Indians. The 1986 Settlement Agreement and Subsequent Legislation In Apri11985, many parties, public and private, convened negotiations to address the issues raised by the Tribes' reserved rights claims. Several public meetings were held, and many of the negotiating sessions were held in public. Principal parties included the two Tribes, the state of Colorado, the state of New Mexico, the United States, the Southwestern Water Conservation District, the Animas-LaPlata Water Conservancy District, and the San Juan Water Commission. After intense and complex negotiations, the parties reached an agreement in principle that included a binding cost-sharing agreement for construction of the Animas-La Plata Project. This Agreement was titled the "Agreement in Principle Concerning the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement and Binding Agreement for Animas-La Plata Project Cost Sharing." By signing the Agreement in Principle, the Secretary of the Interior certified that the non-federal cost share contributions were reasonable, allowing for the federal release of the first $1 million for construction of the Project. In addition to the cost sharing elements of the Agreement, the parties to the state water court litigation agreed to a set of principles that established the parameters for settlement of the reserved right claims. After six more months of intense negotiations, the parties signed the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement on December 10, 1986. The Settlement Agreement contains six major elements:10 1. In each ofthe drainage basins. the Agreement quantified the reserved rights of the Tribes. 11 10 The following is a summary of the Agreement, and shall not be construed to interpret any of its provisions, or be binding on any of the parties thereto. 11 A summary of the quantification in the various basins is set forth below: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Mancos River Project reserved water right from the Dolores Project, up to 1000 af/yr m&i, 23,300 af/yr irrigation and 800 af/yr fish and wildlife development. Non-project reserved water right for direct flow and/or storage of21,000 aflyr for irrigation of 7200 acres. Animas and La Plata Rivers Project reserved water right from the Animas-La Plata Project, up to 6000 afJyr m&i, 26,300 af/yr irrigation. 6