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<br />en <br />.-oJ <br />N <br /> <br />'r-"c <br /> <br />OPENING STATEMENT OF THE STATE OF COLORADO <br />TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCUSSIONS <br />TO RESOLVE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE <br />ANIMAS-LA PLATA PROJECT <br /> <br />------------------------------------ <br /> <br />DENVER, COLORADO <br />October 9, 1996 <br /> <br />----------------------------------- <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The State of Colorado appreciates the willingness of <br />representatives of the parties with a significant stake in the <br />Animas-La Plata Project to participate in discussions to resolve <br />issues surrounding the Project. Hopefully, today's meeting will be <br />the first step in a timely process that will lead to agreement to <br />move forward with the implementation of the final piece in the <br />resolution of Tribal reserved water rights claims under the 1986 <br />Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement -- that <br />portion concerning the Animas and La-Plata Rivers. <br /> <br />We have history on our side. Despi te the controversy and <br />divisiveness that has been generated by the Animas-La Plata <br />Project, there exists an extraordinary partnership between the <br />States of Colorado and New Mexico, and the Indian and non-Indian <br />communities in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico. <br />Together, we have successfully quantified Tribal reserved rights <br />claims, and implemented most of the Settlement Agreement, in a <br />unique way that serves as a national model. More than that, <br />however, is a genuine sense of pride that exists between the Indian <br />and non-Indian communities in the area, over shared use and <br />development of water and mineral resources, 'economic opportunity, <br />and preserving the quality of life and environmental heritage of <br />the area. <br /> <br />Through the Agreement, we have avoided protracted, expensive and <br />divisive litigation. We have preserved non-Indian economies and <br />provided for stable development of Tribal economies. We have <br />avoided the social disruption resulting from the enforcement of <br />reserved rights claims. We have integrated the administration of <br />Indian and non-Indian water rights. <br /> <br />;\ <br />, ~~ <br /> <br />Accomplishing these results has required V1Slon, extraordinary <br />leadership, respect for the needs of all sides, a willingness to <br />listen to and explore new solutions, and a commitment to stay at <br />the table until a solution is reached. If these same qualities are <br />applied in this process, we can reach a positive and lasting <br />result. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />As we will discuss, <br />through this process <br /> <br />the State of Colorado is willing to work <br />to openly discuss the proj ect, and any <br />