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<br />SUMHARY <br /> <br />reaching the goals of the RIP, may result in a re-initiatioD' of <br />section 7 consultation for all Federal and Federally permitted <br />water storage and diversion facilities in the upper Colorado basin. <br /> <br />Alternative B could fully address the reasoning behind all of the <br />criteria and achieve the stated goals to a significant degree. <br />Major accomplishments would include: <br /> <br />Relieving Western and power customer concerns over the high <br />cost of Collbran Project power production. <br />Repaying the remaining Collbran Project debt allocated to <br />power sooner or at some higher interest rate. <br />Relieving Reclamation of responsibility for OM&R of the Grand <br />Mesa reservoirs. <br />Potentially providing ute (as the owner/lessee) with a <br />dependable source of raw water along with greater control of <br />that source. <br /> <br />In consideration of Alternative B, one should recognize the power <br />facilities were primarily included in the authorized plan to pay <br />for the portion of the project costs beyond the irri~ator's ability <br />to pay. If the possibility exists to obtain repayment in a shorter <br />time or at a higher interest rate, and the administration supports <br />~-----tneprrvaElzatTon of smaTCFederal projects;-AlternaHve-jf should------ <br />be fully investigated. This could reduce the subsidy the project <br />receives in the form of the no interest and low interest loans used <br />to build the project. ute has expressed a strong interest in <br />acquiring the power facilities on many occasions and is presently <br />drafting a letter of interest to the Commissioner. <br /> <br />A recommended course of action has not been included pending review <br />of this report by the UCRO. <br /> <br />v <br />