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<br />. <br /> <br />Other Non-structural Alternatives <br /> <br />A portion of the membership of Animas River Citizens' Coalition, while supporting the <br />presentation of the principal non-structural alternative in this document, recommended an <br />alternate approach as well. This approach recommended an alternative that focused on the value <br />of instream water, meeting the Ute water rights of the settlement agreement, and seeking the best <br />solution for the common good. <br /> <br />Equitable distribution of river water among the five principal stakeholders-the states of <br />Colorado and New Mexico, the Southern Ute tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, and the Navajo <br />tribe--would allow them to realize revenues from their instream water. The proportions <br />would be done in keeping with the 1986 Settlement Agreement We support SUGO's Ute <br />Legacy. The other parties could use their revenues for purposes most beneficial to their special <br />needs as they so determine. <br /> <br />This alternative embraces a New Mexico component, part of which is in the principal <br />alternative outlined earlier in this document, which has New Mexico's water stored in Navajo <br />Reservoir, maJ<;m;7ing that state's options for its communities. We do express reservations about <br />promoting this concept outside the State mandated regional planning process. The San Juan. <br />Basin Regional Water Planning process requires broad public participation and would involve all <br />affected parties including the Navajo Nation. In accordance to New Mexico's statute, formal <br />investigation and consideration of this alternative in the San Juan. Regional Water Plan <br />is supported and encouraged. This preference is conditional to the planning process being <br />directed by a neutral party, or body, committed to adhering to the letter and spirit of the law. <br /> <br />This solution would preserve the An;ma.~ river, conserve power, f.lim;nate operational <br />expenses, and reduce costs associated with salinity buildup and selenium control, while <br />providing a long-term source of revenue for regional and Indian development <br /> <br />To the degree that the participants make out-of-stream use of their water, they would <br />forfeit a proportion of their revenues and incur the costs that follow from such use. <br /> <br />This solution would serve the common good and perhaps encourage review and revision <br />of water policy in the West to reward a more JOISt and rational policy. <br /> <br />Those recommending this alternative approach recognize the difficulties such an <br />alternative solution faces in the present political climate, but consider the option to be one <br />deserving of public review and consideration. <br /> <br />For further information, a more expanded description and analysis of this alternative is <br />available upon request under another cover. <br /> <br />Phil Doe, Evert Oldham, Nancy Jacques, Chuck Howe, John Kiernan, Larry Howe-Kerr <br />