Congressman Salazar Leads Colorado Delegation in Support of More Funding for ALP

Letter Recognizes Need for Rural Development

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) released the text of a letter today in which Colorado’s Congressional delegation urges the House Appropriations Committee to provide the highest possible level of funding for the completion of the Animas-La Plata (AL-P) project. Citing the need for a greater water supply and job creation in Southwest Colorado, Salazar is leading the delegation in an effort to ensure timely completion of the AL-P project.

“This letter is an important recognition of the need to move ahead with economic development in rural Colorado,” said Salazar. “The Animas La Plata project is key to development in the Third Congressional District, providing the Southwest corner with much needed water and jobs. I am pleased to have my colleagues’ support in securing adequate funds to ensure timely completion of the ALP and avoid costly delays.”
 
The Animas-La Plata project is a water storage project first authorized in the 1960’s. Lately, the project has met with criticism for cost overruns. Salazar toured the AL-P site in January and believes the lack of consistent, adequate funding as a key reason the project has become so costly.  The Administration’s current budget includes $52 million for the AL-P a number that falls short of the amount needed to complete the project on time.

“Investing the right amount of money now, will make sure problems are solved at the get go and save more money down the line,” said Salazar.

The full text of the delegation letter follows:

Dear Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky:

As Members of the Colorado Delegation, we respectfully request your continued support of the Animas-La Plata (A-LP) Project under the Bureau of Reclamation account.  Construction of the A-LP is the lynchpin of the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement originally passed in 1988 and amended to downsize the project in 2000.

Completion of the A-LP will provide a much-needed water supply in the southwest corner of our state for both Indian and non-Indian municipal and industrial purposes.  It will also fulfill the intent of a carefully negotiated settlement agreement in the mid-1980s to ensure the legitimate claims of the two Colorado Ute Tribes could be met without harm to the existing uses of their non-tribal neighbors.

Since 2002, the Bureau of Reclamation has made much progress, and work has been completed or initiated on many key project features.  In addition, the Bureau of Reclamation and Weeminuche Construction Authority (WCA), a wholly owned entity of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, have reached agreement on the dam completion contract, which will provide for completion of the majority of work left at the Durango site.  WCA has been awarded eight contracts for project construction, providing a tremendous opportunity to tribal enterprise as well as individual tribal and non-Indian workers in the region.

We remain united in our support for the project.  While we are pleased the Administration has included $52 million for the A-LP in the proposed budget, we ask the Committee to consider providing the highest possible level of funding.  We understand the Bureau of Reclamation’s capability for FY06 may be higher than the Administration’s proposal.  It is our hope to support the Bureau in a way that will ensure timely completion of the A-LP and avoid costly delays. 

Please feel free to contact us, or you may direct your staff to contact Laura Marquez at 225-4761, should you have any questions or need additional information.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,
/s/
John T. Salazar                                                                                   
Bob Beauprez
Mark Udall
Joel Hefley
Tom Tancredo
Marilyn Musgrave
Diana DeGette
Members of Congress