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OCTOBER 26, 2000

The Senate on Wednesday approved the Animas LaPlata (A-LP) water project, which settles the water rights of two Ute tribes in Colorado.

The bill awaits a vote in the House, where opponents say they will stop it. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo), the bill's sponsor, says he is confident it will pass the House and after it does, he never wants to hear the words "Animas" or "LaPlata" again.

The $334 million project was first authorized in 1968. It was eventually incorporated into the settlement of the water rights of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes. The project will also affect usage of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

Get the Story:
Senate approves water project (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 10/26)

Related Stories:
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