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Page 2 <br />For that reason, it is imperative that you, state officials, and <br />the tribes continue to communicate with each other so we fully <br />understand and agree on the legal and administrative implications <br />of this designation. <br />This being the case,'it is important that we come to some <br />understanding together about whether new consultations need to be <br />done on projects like the Animas -La Plata in light of the <br />designation, and if a consultation is necessary, which regional <br />office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be responsible <br />for completing the study. <br />I firmly believe the Endangered Species Act needs to be <br />administered fairly and consistently. Therefore, if any further <br />consultation on the Animas-La Plata project is necessary the <br />Denver regional office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />needs to be given a leadership role because of its substantial <br />involvement in previous Endangered Species Act compliance <br />activites relating to the project. <br />It is time the Department put this settlement at the top of its <br />priority list. The Department should quickly take whatever steps <br />are necessary to address the impacts this critical habitat <br />designation has on the 1988 settlement and the Animas -La Plata <br />Project. <br />Sincerely, <br />Hank Brown - Ben Nighthorse Campbell <br />U.S. Senator U.S. Senator <br />Scott McInnis <br />Member of Congress <br />BNC /dm <br />cc. George Frampton <br />Asst. Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks <br />Mollie Beattie <br />Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />Dan Beard <br />Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation <br />