Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />0691 <br /> <br />own independent engineers reviewing these quantitative amounts to <br />best protect its interests. <br />The second problem, that of developing a means of using the <br />water to the Tribe's advantage, is also addressed in the Water Task <br />Force Plan. Having a water rights claim does not benefit the Tribe <br />if it is unable to put the water to use. At this point, the Tribe <br />has the Dolores Project underway, which will provide the Tribe with <br />some water. The main issue is to get that water as inexpensively as <br />possible, while still preserving the right to get more water later from <br />other sources. The Water Task Force plan provides a means of getting <br />funding to help pay for the Dolores Project without having to litigate, <br />or to negotiate away water rights. This is a very desirable approach <br />for the Tribe to take. Negotiated settlements can be long and <br />complicated; litigation is very expensive and the outcome is very <br />unpredictable. The Water Task Force Plan will require some lobbying <br />efforts to get the necessary funding, but for less that a full <br />negotiated settlement would require; the plan does not require any <br />litigation at all. Therefore, the Water Task Force Plan is the <br />easiest, least expensive route to a better, less costly Dolores <br />Project. <br />The plan also correctly emphasizes the need for the Tribe to act <br />quickly and decisively. The Winters Doctrine has created a great deal <br />of uncertainty regarding water rights. Local water users know that <br />the tribes in the area have considerable claim to much of the available <br />water. As a result, both the local users and government agencies, <br />like the B.I.A. and the Bureau of Reclamation are presently open to <br />negotiation, and supportive of helping the Tribe get its water cheaply. <br />The timing is excellent for getting support for federal money for the <br />Tribe towards the payment of the Dolores Project. Also, because <br />lobbying for funds is time consuming, it needs to start very soon <br />so that the funds are available when scheduled repayment is to begin. <br />In summary, the Water Task Force plan is an excellent one, both <br />for helping the Tribe quantify and protect its legal right to water, <br />and developing a better, less costly Dolores Project. It also correctly <br />emphasizes the need for the Tribe to ack quickly, to take advantage <br />of local support and to ensure the funds are available when repayment <br />begins. <br /> <br />*corresponds to Item IV-A,B,C, <br /> <br />-2- <br />