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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />19. The Romer/Schoettler Process concluded in October 1997. Applicant's Ex. <br />82. On November 18, 1997, the State of Colorado announced its support for the construction of <br />"A-LP Lite," a scaled-down version of the original Project. Applicant's Ex. 114. In December <br />1997, Reclamation initiated an analysis ofthe two major alternatives arising from the <br />Romer/Schoettler Process. Applicant's Ex. 93. Thereafter, Applicant, together with other <br />Project proponents, worked to obtain Congressional legislation to amend the 1988 Settlement <br />Act to authorize the settlement of the tribal claims upon construction of Project features <br />consistent with the current environmental constraints and the recommendations of the State of <br />Colorado. <br /> <br />20. In 1998, hearings were held in the House and in the Senate to consider <br />amendments to the 1988 Settlement Act. Applicant's Ex. 106. Fred Kroeger, Applicant's <br />President, offered testimony at these hearings and sent letters to members of Congress on behalf <br />of the Applicant.. Applicant's Ex. 41, 42, 43, 106. Both the Colorado Ute Settlement Act <br />Amendments of 1998 and the measure to deauthorize the Project were defeated. <br /> <br />2 I. In August 1998. following the Congressional hearings, the U.S. Secretary of <br />the Interior presented the "Administration Proposal to Build Animas-La Plata Project to <br />Implement Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement" ("Administration Proposal"). <br />Applicant's Ex. 94. Project proponents' efforts then turned to the environmental compliance <br />process necessary to evaluate the potential impacts of implementing the 1988 Settlement Act via <br />a modified version of the Administration Proposal. <br /> <br />22. In January 1999, Reclamation announced its intent to prepare a Draft <br />Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") to the 1996 FSFES. Applicant's Ex. 84. <br />In February 1999, Reclamation held public NEP A public seoping meetings in Durango, Denver, <br />and Farmington, New Mexico. Representatives of Applicant participated in aU aspects of the <br />NEPA process. Applicant's Exs. 44, 63. <br /> <br />23. Reclamation released its Draft Supplemental EIS in January 2000. <br />Applicant's Ex. 86. The USFWS released its final Biological Opinion for the Animas-La Plata <br />Project in June 2000. Applicant's Ex. 88. Reclamation's Final Supplemental EIS was filed with <br />the USEPA on July 14,2000, with a Record of Decision signed on September 25,2000, adopting <br />a modified version of the Administration Proposal as Reclamation's "Recommended <br />Alternative" and recognizing the need for Congressional authorization to acbieve final <br />implementation of the 1988 Settlement Act. Applicant's Exs. 90, 91. <br /> <br />24. In the meantime, efforts to pass legislation amending the 1988 Settlement Act <br />and authorizing Project construction continued with Applicant's full participation. See <br />Applicant's Ex. 106. Applicant's representatives participated in the legislative process. <br />Applicant's Exs. 45, 46,59, 106. <br /> <br />25. On December 21,2000, Congress enacted the Colorado-Ute Settlement Act <br />Amendments of 2000, Title 3 ofP.L. 106-554 ("2000 Settlement Act Amendments"), providing <br />for the development of Reclamation's Recommended Alternative. Applicant's Ex. 107. In <br /> <br />14 <br />