WSP08124

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 10/1/1996
• Title: Animas-La Plata Project Summary Information
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

The Settlement Act also established a Tribal Development Fund (TDF) totaling $60.5 million
for the Tribes. The purpose of the TDF is to enable the Tribes to develop their resources,
, , including water resources, on the reservations, The Southern Ute Indian Tribe received
$20 million, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe received $40.5 million. The United States'
financial contribution to the TDF is $49,5 million, which has been made in three annual
installments. The State of Colorado's contribution to the TDF is $11 million, allocated as
follows: (I) $5 million direct contribution to the TDF and (2) $6 million for construction of
the Towaoc Pipeline and a domestic water distribution system (to be credited to the TDF). In
addition, Colorado is required to contribute $5.6 million to Ridges Basin Dam construction
costs under terms of the Settlement Agreement.

Final consent decrees, which implemented certain provisions of the Settlement Agreement and
the Settlement Act, were signed in U.S. District Court for Water Division No.7, State of
Colorado, on December 19, 1991. With the consent decree in place, the Tribes waive any and
ail claims to water rights in the State of Colorado not expressly identified in the decree after
certain requirements are completed. In summary unless Phase I Stalle B of the Proiect is
completed the Tribes may litigate their reserved rights claims on the Animas and La Plata
Rivers.

PROPOSED ACTION

INTRODUCTION

This section describes the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) currently proposed action
(the preferred alternative, or Proposed Plan).

Proposed Plan

The Proposed Plan incorporates refinements and modifications to the Project and addresses
new information relevant to environmental concerns that has become available since the
1980 FES. It incorporates phased construction and operation of the entire Project, consistent
with the Settlement Act and Endangered Species Act (ESA)-Section 7 consultations. Iffuture
Section 7 consultations allow less than full Project depletions, decisions may be required
regarding water allocations, Project design, and other pertinent factors that have bearing on
compliance with the Settlement Act and environmental law. Since there is no present
assurance that Phase I, Stage B or Phase II would be constructed due to possible water
depletion restrictions, each step has been designed to have independent utility.

General Project Construction and Operation

The Project would be constructed and operated in two phases as a result Colorado Ute Indian
Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement, December 10, 1986, Binding Agreement for
Animas-La Plata Project Cost Sharing, and Settlement Act. In addition, because of the RPA

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