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<br />00063? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Ute people are not satisfied with the water resource <br />development which has taken place in Southwestern Colorado, <br />The Ute people wish to control their future and the utiliza- <br />tion of their natural resources. In order to do so we <br />recognize we must control our water supply. That is why we <br />are again here today urging the support of this Board for <br />the appropriation of the funds necessary to complete the <br />advance planning on the Animas-La Plata and the appropriation <br />of fUnds necessary to initiate construction of the Dolores <br />Project. <br /> <br />The Indian people of Southwestern Colorado want something <br />more than a court decree which says they are entitled to <br />water, but which water cannot be used unless the Indian <br />people have the physical facilities available to put the <br />water to use. The Indian people were greatly impressed by <br />the recent action of the Water Resources Congress in designa- <br />ting the Dolores Project as a project of national urgency., <br />It seems clear that, using these same standards, that <br />organization will again next year rightfully follow up with <br />such a designation for the Animas-La Plata Project. The <br />construction of the projects will accomplish our goal to <br />provide a sound economic base for our people. It is a worth- <br />while goal and we ask that you join with us once again to <br />reaffirm a policy which recognizes that only through the <br />cooperation of all can we utilize our natural resources to <br />the greatest good. <br /> <br />With that, thank you, gentlemen, <br /> <br />Colorado would do nothing to jeopardize this fine relationship. <br /> <br />Senator Kennedy, in introducing S. 3298, concluded by saying: <br /> <br />Mr. President, with this bill as a beginning, it is my <br />hope that the Congress can develop legislative models to <br />settle and resolve Indian water rights in other areas of <br />the West, affording Indians and non-Indians alike a <br />legislative alternative to protracted litigation, un- <br />certainty, and growing social unrest. <br /> <br />It would be presumptuous for Coloradans to suggest solutions <br /> <br />to Arizon's water problems and Arizona will speak for itself, but, <br /> <br />in view of the indication that S. 3298 may be the forerunner of <br /> <br />similar legislation in other states, we would like to voice our <br />concern about two features of S. 3298. <br /> <br />4 <br />