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<br />
<br />With, respect to this legislation and the assertion of the two Ute
<br />tribes that they' do have, such, right, , there is the added question as '
<br />to whether or not the Law of the River prohibiting interstate ;sales
<br />of the waters of the Colorado River Basin allocated under such law
<br />is applicable to the two Indian tribes and their water right.
<br />The Committee intends that this<legislation and the Agreement
<br />which it ratifies shall be neutral on these two questions and that
<br />the language shall not be construed as affecting determination of
<br />those questions in a court of law under existing law in any way.
<br />The Committee is aware that tribal water marketing:is contemplat-
<br />ed by the parties to the Agreement, including the Department of
<br />the Interior, and that the language of the Agreement reflects that
<br />anticipation. The substitute also contemplates that this maybe a
<br />possibility. '
<br />However, the Committee position is that this ,contemplation or
<br />anticipation of the parties shall, in no way, effect any determina-
<br />tion of the issue under existing law.: ' ,
<br />As already noted, it is the Committee's intent that this matter,
<br />as specifically raised in this legislation and as a matter of general
<br />law, be left to the determination of the courts under existing law.
<br />If the tribes have such a right and if that' right is abrogated' Or im-
<br />paired by action of the Congress, it is' possible that the United
<br />States would be liable to the tribes ona damage claim for the
<br />value of such right. '
<br />Finally, the Committee notes that it is asserted that the failure
<br />to resolve this issue in this legislation is inconsistent with one pur-
<br />pose of negotiated settlements of Indian water claims,' i.e., the
<br />avoidance of lengthy, expensive, and divisive litigation. It is true
<br />that a very valuable product of negotiated settlements of Indian
<br />water claims is the avoidance of such litigation. However, this
<br />should be done in the context of a consensual agreement of the par-
<br />ties, not by the unilateral congressional abrogation of a tribal right
<br />or a tribal right of action.
<br />
<br />SECTION-By-SECTION ANALYSIS
<br />
<br />There follows a section-by-section analysis of H.R. 2642, as re-
<br />ported by the Committee; and, where necessary or appropriate, a
<br />further explanation of the Committee's position or intent.
<br />
<br />SECTION i-SHORT TITLE
<br />
<br />Section 1 provides that the Act may be cited as the "Colorado
<br />Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988". '
<br />
<br />SECTION 2-FINDINGS
<br />
<br />Section 2 contains congressional'fmdings relating to the pen-
<br />dancy and impact of Indian water claims litigation, the agreement
<br />of the various parties to settle such litigation, and the necessity of
<br />legislation to implement the agreement.
<br />
<br />SECTION 3-DEFINITIONS
<br />
<br />Section 3 contains definitions of various terms used in the legis-
<br />lation as follows:
<br />
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