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NOVEMBER 2, 2000

The cost of the project that would settle the water rights of Ute Tribes in Colorado is being questioned because of the benefits given to non-Indians.

The Animas-LaPlata project is the subject of a bill pending in Congress. It passed the Senate but is being held up in the House by environmentalists and waste watchers because of its cost: $334 million.

The project was first authorized in 1968 but was eventually incorporated into the settlement of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes. The project involves building a dam on the Animas River to diver water that would be used by the tribes for various purposes. It also affects water usage of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

However, about forty percent of the water would be used by non-Indians, accoridng to The Denver Post's reading of the bill. Additionally, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo), who has been pushing the bill, added an amendment requiring the tribes to share three-quarters of their $40 million cash settlement with non-Indian communities.

Get the Story:
Animas project's worth at issue (The Denver Post 11/2)

Related Stories:
Campbell changes Ute bill (Enviro 11/1)
Senate passes water bill (Enviro 10/26)
Vote on water project stalled (Enviro 10/20)
Ute settlement threatened, fears Campbell (Enviro 10/13)

Relevant Links:
The Animas-La Plata Project - www.uc.usbr.gov/special/alp/index.html
Congressional Testimony, Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement - www.senate.gov/~scia/2000hrgs/alp_0607/alp_wit.htm