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<br />..,--~-'--~- <br />1 SENT BY: BOR-WCAOS SD; <br /> <br />f.' Ie <br />ALP <br />- <br /> <br />--.. <br /> <br />4-28-98 3:43PMj 970 385 8539 -> <br /> <br />303 888 4474; <br /> <br />'1/1 <br /> <br />:..;t-i:"' <br /> <br />-.-Y- <br /> <br />Sail Lake Ci~y. Utah <br />Contact: Barry D. Wirth (801) 524-6477 e.. <br />For Immediate Release: April 26, 1996 <br /> <br />r.::-=:::.... -- <br />~. /,.- <br />P - Db Ra t:1ffrJ <br /> <br />.-.--'- <br /> <br />~~C <br />4,b,? ~"~D <br />~<G <br />~,,,:," ~ <br />~ <br />The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Final Supplement to the 1980 Final <br />Environmental Statement (FSFES) on the Animas-La Plata Project, Colorado and New <br />Mexico" <br /> <br />lJPIICN.lL FOIl".. (I"WI <br /> <br />FAX TRANSMI~L <br /> <br />v~ <br /> <br />r .... ".... <br />'DIJ}unLJ (,.. <br />l,.1tIpI.IAoptrlC.,V <br /> <br /> <br />'3J3-~(p -Ljq7t! >... <br /> <br />8WU!AU O.E.8EClA,.,ATIOttlSSUES aNAL SUPPLEMEblT <br />TO THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAl" STATEMENT <br />ANIMAS-LA PLATA PROJECT <br /> <br />The Project would satisfy a portion of the Colorado Ute Indian reserve water <br />right claims as specified by Congress in the 1988 Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights <br />Settlement Act. The release of the final supplement is consistent with the language of <br />Public Law 104.46, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act passed by <br />Congress. which requires that the Secretary of the Interior proceed to construct project <br />facilities. The document released today addresses the many concerns and issues <br />raised during the public comment process following the issuance of the draft <br />supplement in 1992. Using Indian Self-Determination Act contracting procedures, the <br />Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Indian Tribes conducted various studies and analyses <br />incorporated into the final supplement. <br /> <br />Volume I of the FSFES describes and presents information that has became <br />available since 1980, including: (1) the environmental effects of the new or updated <br />information, (2) design changes and other refinements to the Project, and (3) studies of <br />Project lands for potential toxic or hazardous irrigation return flows. The document also <br />contains a comprehen$.!..ve analysis of Project alternatives and additional <br />documentation for compliance with Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Waler Act. Sixteen <br />different alternatives, including the no action alternative, were identified. These <br />alternatives were combinations of storage and conveyance features, and water supply <br />options that appeared feasible. These alternatives were evaluated as to their <br />compliance with the Clean Water Action. Section 404 (b) (1) Guidelines for maintaining <br />the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of waters of the United States. <br /> <br />Three levels of water demand were analyzed to progressively meet the purpose <br />and needs statement and to comply with the 1991 and 1996 Fish and Wildlife Service's <br />biological opinions on the Project. <br />..more-- <br />Volume II contains Reclamation's responses to public comments received on the <br />1992 Draft Supplement to the 1980 Final Environmental Statement. Reclamation <br />received 565 comment letters on this document. <br /> <br />Copies of the FSFES are now being distributed to the established project mailing <br />list. In addition, copies may be obtained from the Western Colorado Area Office- <br />Southern Division, Bureau of Reclamation, 835 East Second Avenue, PO Box 640 <br />Durango, CO 81302.0640; (970) 385-6500. Copies are also available for inspection at <br />local libraries, <br /> <br />### <br />