9367 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9367
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: Proceedings
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: Colorado Water Workshop July 22-24, 1992.
• Copyright Material: NO

another reservoir in which construction has been deferred, actually
works to the tribe's benefit. If there is anything that the tribes
have learned, is they want their water out of the first facility built
on the project, because the last facility does not always get built.
So to get their M & I supply out of the first facility makes much more
sense, in addition, the water is cheaper out of Ridges Basin Reservoir
than it was projected to be out of Southern Ute Reservoir.

Question: If the objective is to lease M & I water, and we assume
that the markets are below Lake Powell, what is the purpose of another
storage reservoir in southwestern Colorado to facilitate the objective
of leasing to whomever -- San Diego, etc.?

Scott McElroy: We have been talking about leasing and tribal water
marketing, and ways in which that might be facilitated. I think
perhaps my comments were somewhat over-stated. I think that I can
fairly say that my clients have told me that their long term objective
is to put their water to use on their reservations for the benefit of
their tribal members. The problem is, of course, finding the capital
to do that. It is also true that when we talk about a water supply,
whether we are talking about litigation, in which tribal water rights
are quantified, or whether we are talking about a settlement, we are
talking about quantifying the needs of the tribes for all time. The
fact that there is not a use for that water tomorrow really is not the
answer. The dilemma that faces the tribes is figuring out how to put
that water to use for the long term on their reservations to benefit
their people.
When you ask about Animas La-Plata, yes, I think that there might
be an interest in marketing that water for the short term. I think
that if you came to the Southern Ute Tribal Council that they would
tell you in no uncertain terms (tape end) The settlement that
requires the federal government to fund the building of the bathtub,
so to speak, is fine. One can look at the articles in the Denver Post
over the last couple of days and read about federal "subsidies" for
irrigation projects. I do not understand the resentment to tribes
finally receiving some of "subsidies" so that they can develop their
own lands and their own resources.

Jerald Peabody: I would like to add to that. The concept that we are
introducing does not mean that any excess water that we have we want
to go lease it. The primary consideration is that a majority of the
water that we have we want to use on our reservations. We want to use
it for what we have there. Whatever is left over, if any, that will
be what we consider for leasing. I am not talking in regards to
Southern Ute, Navajo nation, any of the Lower Basin states. I am
talking in regards to Ute Mountain Ute water. I am not saying that.
we are going to lease every drop that we are not going to use because,
this resource may dry up one day. We must consider our future, and
the future of the generations that are not born yet.
Leasing is a" concept that we are introducing. It is an idea that
we have for the future. It is an attempt to convey to the non-Indian
water users that we are willing to work with you.. We are willing to
give you an opportunity to share some of our water, so that we can
have an economic base for our future and our children's future. We

62