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<br />I <br /> <br />~' <br /> <br />Because the reservstions were created prior to non-Indian <br />settlement in the Four Corners Area. the tribes' rigbts on local <br />rivers would receive the highest priority and would curtail other <br />water uses until the Indian water right requirements were <br />satisfied. <br /> <br />~) <br /> <br />The Bureau of Indian Affairs has made a detailed preliminary <br />analysis of the agricultural water claims of the two tribes. and <br />the State Engineer of Colorado has attempted to project the <br />impact of the Indian claims On non-Indian water users. On those <br />streams and rivers with high water use. tribal claims could have <br />a severe impact on municipal and industrial water users. In the <br />Mancos and La Plata 'River draina&ea. for example. all non-Indian <br />irrigation would be eliminated. and even then tribal claims would <br />only be partially satisfied. <br /> <br />The primary source of Durango's municipal water. tbe Florida <br />River, could also 'receive a significant 'impact from tribal <br />claims. On the Animas River. wbere the city's water rights are <br />less reliable. the situation could be even worse. In fact. <br />during years of vater shortage the Indian tribes could well be <br />the only major water users on numerous streams and rivers in the <br />San Juan River Basin. After years of planning. the Animas-La <br />Plata Project is the most feasible solution to eliminating <br />competition between the Indian Tribes and non-Indian water users. <br /> <br />Current Status <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />On August 15. 1985. President Reagan sigoed Public Law 99-88 <br />appropriating constructiOn funds for the project, subject to a <br />cost-sharing agreement being completed by June 30, 1985. The <br />agreement is now being negotiated by the Cost Sharing <br />Subcommittee of the Colorado Ute Tribes Water lights Negotiating <br />Forum. composed of representatives of the U.S. Department of the <br />Interior. the States of Colorado and New Mexico. the Southern Ute <br />and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes. and water districts and <br />cities that would receive project.water. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />7 <br />