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r i> ,. purpose and need of the project - satisfying the Ute Tribes' claims and providing water for other Indian and non-Indian community water needs in Colorado and New Mexico - within a reasonable time. Nonstructural alternatives that rely heavily on buying land and water are fraught with risk and uncertainty and could take 30 years or longer to implement. Perhaps surprising to some people is that the study found that the preferred alternative is the practicable alternative least damaging to aquatic resources. Refined Alternative 6, the nonstructural alternative that came closest to meeting the purpose and need test, would have adverse impacts on more than four times as many acres as Refined Alternative 4. The preferred alternative limits average annual depletions to 57,100 acre feet, which satisfies endangered species requirements. It also requires Reclamation to schedule pumping from the Animas River to reduce effects to both the downstream trout fishery and recreational uses. Also, because it would use all the remaining available storage capacity of Navajo Reservoir, Refined Alternative 6 would be more detrimental to the Navajo Nation and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe. And, because it would involve the acquisition of more than twice as much land and water, Refined Alternative 6 would be far more disruptive to existing irrigated agricultural uses and rural communities in southwest Colorado. The study found that while the cost of Refined Alternative 4 is slightly higher than the cost of Refined Alternative 6 ($290.6 million versus $273 million), the cost estimate for Refined Alternative 4 is more reliable. Refined Alternative 6 has risks that could add significantly to the cost estimate. The preferred alternative emerges head and shoulders above the nonstructural alternatives. Finally, I want to say that moving forward in building the project is the right thing to do. Much has been said by government and environmental organizations about environmental justice. Native American tribes have been the most frequent victims of environmental injustice. For environmental organizations and others who oppose this project, I ask that they consider the environmental injustice that will be perpetrated if this project is not built and the wishes and rights of the Southern Utes and Ute Mountain Utes are not honored. Thank you.