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<br />~~~ ~~ ~, ~~. ~~ ~~~..I-~~~~~~~ ~ ~~~~., ~-~ <br /> <br />~1J.wl"'w'wOw"''''' <br /> <br />c-MU.I:Oo .,;;,~,.....C <br /> <br />OOlJ388 <br /> <br />We have now completed the impact analysis report' for the Conservation Program, revised the covered <br />species list, and prepared a ~econd draft of the Plan. We also are working to reach agreement with our <br />State partners for implementation and management of the program. <br /> <br />One of the highest priorities of the Department is responsibility to Indian Tribes. The long-awaited <br />Animas-LaPlata project in Southwestern Colorado is under construction. John Keys will talk about this <br />effort in more depth tomorrow. <br /> <br />The fact that Animas-LaPlata is ftnally under construction underscores our commitment to keeping <br />promises. The project satisfies the Colorado Ute Tribes' claims for reserved water rights. This project <br />was authorized by Congress in 1968, and then with considerable effort, reauthorized in 1988 and again in <br />2000. This project also enhances economic development for the Tribes by having them take primary <br />responsibility for constructing the project. <br /> <br />Weare also trying to resolve longStanding issues over the Central Arizona Project repayment and the <br />Indian water rights settlements in much of Arizona. We look forward to continuing to wolk with Senator <br />Kyl, the CA WCD Board, the Gila River Indian Community and other Arizona Tribes, and others to bring <br />these important maners to a murually satisfactory resolution- Bennett Raley will be leading important <br />discussions with CA WCD representatives in this effort tomOIl'Ow. <br /> <br />We are also continuing to work on a number of other important issues That are linked to effective and <br />efficient administration and management of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />Arizona and Nevada are working to finalize agreements on an innovative offstream water storage and <br />banking arrangement. Nevada would pay to have water stored underground in Arizona today. <br /> <br />In the future, when that water is needed. it can be recovered and used in Arizona, while Arizona forebears <br />from divening that amount of water from the River. Meanwhile, Nevada.would draw a like amount from <br />the river, allowing both states to benefit. <br /> <br />This tecimique meets new and growing demand within the existing framework of the Law of the River, <br />sening a precedent that undoubtedly will be a model for others throughout the arid West. <br /> <br />I have noted some important successes. Stakeholders in the Colorado River Basin have demon.strated that <br />long-time adversaries can come together and fashion collaborative efforts to reach common ends. <br /> <br />*** <br /> <br />I mentioned before that the future of the Colorado RiVeT will be shaped by drought and population <br />growth.' We no longer have abundant sUIpluses and fun reservoirs. <br /> <br />The era of limits is upon us. <br /> <br />While wet and dIy periods are cyclical, recent data suggests more drought planning is :required. <br /> <br />We all know how much difficulty has been caused by the overly optimistic estimate of the annual flow by <br />those who negotiated the Colorado RiVeT Compact 80 years ago. <br /> <br />Other factors counsel the importance of taking careful account of reliable scientific data, and projections <br />about water supply. While the amount of water available is relatively fixed. demand in the urban and <br /> <br />CRWUA - Dec. 16,2002 <br /> <br />Page 6 of 7 <br />