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<br />for a solution that works has been universally acknowledged, however, and we seek in good faith <br /> <br />to find such a solution. We hope that this alternative will be received in the same good faith. <br /> <br /> <br />IT. ELEMENTS AND APPLICATION OF THE ARCC ALTERNATIVE <br /> <br /> <br />. . This section of the ARCC proposal sets out, and gives concrete examples ot; the primary <br /> <br />elements of the ARCC alternative. In addition, it identifies some of the conditions of and benefits <br /> <br /> <br />accruing from the proposal, and evaluates the cost of two different water acquisition scenarios. <br /> <br /> <br />1. Legacy Fund for Land and Water Acquisition <br /> <br /> <br />This alternative envisions the creation of a dedicated fund or funds for acquisition by the <br /> <br /> <br />Tribes, at their sole discretion, of water rights and land from willing sellers within and in the <br /> <br /> <br />vicinity of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute reservations. This idea was originally <br /> <br /> <br />proposed by the Southern Ute Grassroots Organization, and it is a feasible, market-oriented <br /> <br /> <br />means of providing "wet water" to the two Tribes, on reservation lands. It also envisions the <br /> <br /> <br />purchase or lease of water in existing projects and use of existing or expanded delivery systems. <br /> <br /> <br />Purchases would be spread out over a thirty year period, in order to allow willing sellers <br /> <br /> <br />to be identified, and prevent any disruption of local markets. Because purchases would be made <br /> <br /> <br />over an extended period, appropriate provision for investment of the principal of the fund in order <br /> <br /> <br />to cover costs would be necessary. The Fund would be created by the federal government and the <br /> <br /> <br />State of Colorado, in appropriate shares, out of future legislative appropriations and funds <br />presently earmarked for project purposes. <br />An wtial appraisal of actual land and water sales in the areas of the Southem Ute and Ute <br />Mountain Ute reservations was conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility of this proposal. This <br />appraisal indicated that the actual sales price of irrigated cropland ranged from a low of $950 per <br /> <br />3 <br />