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/l3/26/2/l/l4 .: ~3.: 3~ _ 72/l489/lS24 0011'11 FAX STATE OF COLORADO OFFICE OF THE EXECurIVE DIRECTOR , 1....1ii """'~~..~ ~ ~ofN_'R_ 1313_s......1lbom11. Denver. C<>IOl'lldo lO203 Phone' (:lO3) 866-3311 TOD, (303) l66-3S43 FAX:(303) 866-211$ I Bill Owen< Gowmo1' Russell GeotF Elrc:tttiWDin:cl<< TESTIMONY OF THE STATE OF COLORADO BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE SOBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT ANIMAS-LA PLATA PROJECT Washington D.C. March 24, 2004 Introclu.ction The State of Colorado appreciates this opportunity to provide testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water De~elopment concerning the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP). Construction of the Animas-La Plata Project is extremely iniportant to the State of Colorado as it is the final piece required to bring closure to the resolution of the Tribal reserved water rights claims under the 1986 Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement, in particular those portions of the Settlement concerning the Aniroas and La-Plata Rivers. D~spite the considerable controversy that has been generated by the Animas-La Plata Project, there exists an extraordinary partnership between the States of Colorado and New Mexico, and the Indian and non-Indian communities in southwestern colorado and northwestern New Mexico. Together, we have successfully quantified the reserved water right claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes in Colorado, and implemented most of the Settlement Agreement, in a unique way that serves as a national model. More than that, however, is a genuine sense of pride that exists between the Indian and non-Indian communi ties in the area, over shared use and developnent of water and mineral resources, economic opportunity, and preserving the quality of life and environmental heritage of the area. Through the 1986 Settlement Agreement, we have avoided protracted, expensive and divisive litigation. We have preserved . non-Indian economies and provided for stable development of Tribal economies. We have avoided the social disruption resulting from the enforcement of Tribal reserved right claims. We have integrated the administration of Indian and non-Indian water rights into the state water rights system. Board of Land CommissionmoDivision of Minerals & Geology/Geological SUlVey on & Gas Conservation Commissi_Colorado State Patks-State ForesI Service Wau:, Conservation _-Division of Water Rcsoun:cs-Division ofWildJif.