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<br />r <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />as litigation, research projects and studies. Chevron Shale Oil. 986 P.2d at 924; OXY USA. 990 <br />P.2d at 706. Applicant has undertaken all of these activities during the diligence period and so <br />has demonstrated reasonable diligence in putting the decreed conditional water rights to <br />beneficial use. <br /> <br />44. The Animas-La Plata Project is an integrated water project. The provisions of the <br />2000 Amendments stating that the Project may not be used for irrigation purposes without <br />further authorization from Congress do not render Applicant's conditional water rights for <br />irrigation use abandoned or forfeited. The Court finds that the Applicant has been unable to use <br />its water rights for irrigation purposes because of economic and political conditions beyond its <br />control and that Applicant has demonstrated the intent to use its irrigation rights should <br />conditions change. Pursuant to C.R.S. ~ 37-92-301(4)(b), the Court further finds that the actions <br />demonstrating reasonable diligence in relation to the Project features authorized by the 2000 <br />Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments also allow a finding of reasonable diligence for all of <br />the Proj ect features. <br /> <br />45. This Court has jurisdiction over these proceedings and over all persons and water <br />rights affected thereby, whether they have appeared or not. Full and adequate notice of these <br />proceedings and the matters adjudicated herein has been given in the manner required by law. <br /> <br />46. Applicant has met all burdens of proof and complied with all standards applicable <br />to the water right requested herein. <br /> <br />D. DECREE <br /> <br />THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Application of the <br />Southwestern Water Conservation District is GRANTED as follows: <br /> <br />1. The provisions of the General Findings of Fact, Findings of Fact for Diligence, <br />and Conclusions of Law are hereby incorporated into this Ruling. The Court, having carefully <br />considered the information and legal argument submitted by the Applicant and the Objector and <br />having completed the investigations necessary to make a determination in this matter, does find <br />that Applicant has shown that it has exercised reasonable diligence in the development of its <br />conditional water rights for the Animas-La Plata Project. <br /> <br />2. Pursuant to Colorado law, "the measure of reasonable diligence is the steady <br />application of effort to complete the appropriation in a reasonably expedient and efficient <br />manner under an the facts and circumstances. When a project or integrated system is comprised <br />of several features, work on one feature of the project or system shall be considered in finding <br />that reasonable diligence has been shown in the development of water rights for all features of <br />the entire project or system." c.R.S. ~ 37-92-301 (4)(b). The Animas-La Plata Project is an <br />integrated system, and all diligence efforts apply to all features of the Project. <br /> <br />19 <br /> <br />