Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: January 13, 2000

(DOI) Noel L. Gerson (202) 208-6444
(BOR) Steve Adamske (202) 208-4662

Reclamation to Release Draft Environmental Document for the Animas-La Plata Project
Public Hearings Announced

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt announced today the release of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP), moving an important step closer to resolving long-standing issues concerning the Colorado Ute Water Rights Settlement and the Animas-La Plata Project. The DSEIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the Administration Proposal which was announced in August 1998. The Administration's proposal calls for the continuation of a scaled-down project that would satisfy the senior water rights of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain tribes, while also providing some municipal water for the Durango, Colorado and Farmington, New Mexico areas. The DSEIS identifies a refined version of the Administration Proposal as the preferred alternative. The document also includes an environmental analysis of the "non-structural alternative" that has been proposed by some organizations.

"The time is now to finalize this settlement and fulfill the Tribe's senior water rights in a manner that avoids adverse impacts to non-Indian water users," said Secretary Babbitt. "This DSEIS suggests that a modified version of the Administration Proposal presents the best opportunity to fully implement the settlement while limiting environmental impacts. Public input on the analysis is now critical. We look forward to having a meaningful dialogue during our public meetings in the region."

The DSEIS was made necessary due to the significant change in project size suggested by the Administration Proposal and was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation with the participation of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe as a co-lead pursuant to the Tribe's right to assume certain agency responsibilities under the Indian Self-Determination Act. Reclamation is now informing the public of the release of the DSEIS, as well as soliciting public responses and input regarding the public's needs, values, and suggestions. The DSEIS is now open for a 60-day public review period. Written comments will be accepted until March 17, 2000. Public hearings will be held during the month of February in Durango, Farmington, and Denver. The public hearings schedule is as follows:

Durango, Colorado - February 15, 2000, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, Main Ballroom, 501 Camino Del Rio, Durango, Colorado.

Farmington, New Mexico - February 16, 2000, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Farmington Civic Center, Exhibition Hall 1, 200 West Arrington, Farmington, New Mexico.

Denver, Colorado - February 17, 2000, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Denver Convention Center, Room A-209, 700 14^th Street, Denver, Colorado.

Oral comments at the hearings will be limited to ten minutes. Written comments from those unable to attend or those wishing to supplement their oral presentations at the hearing should be addressed to Pat Schumacher, Four Corners Division Manager, Four Corners Division of the Western Area Office, 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 300, Durango, Colorado 81301-5475; telephone (970) 385-6590; faxogram (970) 385-6539; E-mail [email protected]. The document is available on the Internet at http://www.uc.usbr.gov under the Environmental Studies, Summaries & Reports heading.

If requesting copies of the DSEIS, contact Ken Beck, Team Leader, Bureau of Reclamation, Four Corners Division of the Western Colorado Area Office, 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 300, Durango, Colorado 81301-5475, telephone (970) 385-6558.

-DOI-

U.S. Department of the Interior