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<br />the United States is claiming substantial water rights for the Indian <br />reservations and for other federal lands. The water rights claim <br />for the Indian reservation will have a serious impact on the existing <br />economy of the La Plata-Mancos river basins and a great deal of <br />negotiation and planning must go into solving the Indian water rights I <br />problem, and particularly in assuring that adequate water supplies <br />are furnished to the Indian reservation without disrupting the water <br />rights adjudicated to non-Indians. The Dolores project would give <br />relief in water rights litigation of the Mancos River basin. <br /> <br />The majority of the San Juan basin farmer-ranchers are small producers. <br />Inflation is affecting their ability to earn enough to sustain their <br />operations. Any area must show a 2 to 5% gain a year to be effective <br />as a thriving community. It is of vital importance to the growth <br />and development of the entire district and welfare of all of its <br />inhabitants to have the Dolores project. Thank you. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Thank you very much, Representative Wells. I am sure <br />members of the other districts appreciate the fact tnat Representative <br />Wells and Senator McCormick have to get back to the legislatura. We <br />appreciate them being here at this time. <br /> <br />Representative Wells: Thank you. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: What is the pleasure of the board in regard to ques- <br />tioning any of the speakers? Would you rather do it at the conclu- <br />sion of their summaries, or at the end of the program? If anybody <br />has as poor a memory, as I have, it is better to do it right now. <br /> <br />Sam, first I will ask the board if they have any questions on the <br />Animas-La Plata project from you or any of the other speakers. <br /> <br />Mr. Vandemoer: Sam, I notice in the resume that you mention the <br />state of New Mexico. Would that be a separate conservancy district <br />or would they be a part of your district? <br /> <br />Mr. Maynes: I am sorry I neglected to mention that. When I was <br />talking about our efforts to create a new conservancy district in <br />Colorado, jointly and concurrently we are also working with people I <br />in New Mexico to createa new conservancy district in New Mexico. We <br />also have a La Plata New Mexico Water Conservancy District and they <br />would enlarge their district. The exfsting La Plata district is just <br />the farm area out there. It does not have any of the municipalities <br />like Durango in our area. Nor in New Mexico does it include Aztec <br /> <br />-17- <br />