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<br />not been filed a~d the definite plan report has not yet been approved, <br />the project is not in a construction status. From a technical view- <br />point, that is correct. The Administration has carefully pointed out <br />that it has not yet taken a position in opposition to the Animas-La Plata <br />Project. We actually have no indication that the Administration intends <br />to oppose the project. . But we hate to see the project go for another <br />year without anything being done. We,have explored, with the Bureau of I <br />Reclamation, what would be possible if some funds could be secured. <br />There is, no chance whatsoever of securing construction funds, because <br />of the current status of the project. The repayment contract has not <br />yet been signed, because none has yet been tendered to the conservancy <br />District. The conservancy District itself has to undergo sOme reorgani- <br />zation in order to conform to the new project plans. So construction <br />funds are simply out, from ~everal viewpoints. <br /> <br />. . <br />We understand from the Bureau that it could use some funds, if they were <br />made available to continue preconstruction activities, such as archaeo- <br />logical investigations, which are rather' important in that area because <br />of the high density of prehistoric human occupation, and the Bureau: <br />states that it could use some funds to negotiate a repayment contract. <br />There are other various preco~struction activities' which would be worth- <br />while to engage in during the current year. <br /> <br />. <br />We now estimate th<;>:'requireIlleilts..forEthoseopurposes, at $450,000;, J <br />The best recommendation that: the staff can give at this time on that <br />project is that we seek advance planning funds to the extent of $450,000. <br />We have no assurances at this point that the Administration will support <br />that funding. 9n the other hand, we have no indication' whatsoever that <br />the Administration will oppose funding to that extent. Our best,reading <br />is at this time that the Administration will not oppose this amount of <br />funding for advance planning. We may even get some active support from <br />the Administration, for this request. I have only tried to cover, at <br />this point, Mr. Chairman, the projects in western.Colorado. I will stop <br />at this time to see if we have some questiqns or further explanations <br />concerning these,recommendations. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Are there any questions from "'he members of. the Board? <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: Mr. Chairman. You mentioned, Larry, that.the San Miguel <br />and West Divide have been increased to 500,000. This is at the Presi- <br />dent's asking, is it? <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Yes. <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: No prOblems then in that regard. <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: There are no problems as far as the appropriation is con- <br />cerned. We hope that $500,00 would bring those projects to completion <br />status, as far as the definite plan report is concerned. We are running <br />into some problems with all projects now. The problem that we have had <br />is in trying to avoid adverse environmental effects, whether real or <br />imagined. We have had to change the scope of those projects considerably <br />in order to reduce structures. This administration seems to be sold on <br />nonstructural alternatives, whatever the hell that is. We have reduced <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />-18- <br />