Journal Staff Report

A draft document for the long-delayed Animas-La Plata water project released Thursday evaluates a scaled-down option proposed by the Clinton administration in August 1998.

The draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is an important step toward resolving the thorny issue, the Department of the Interior said in a press release.

The administration’s proposal calls for the continuation of a scaled-down project that would satisfy the senior water rights of the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute tribes as well as provide some municipal water for Durango and Farmington.

The draft supplemental EIS identifies a refined version of the administration proposal as the preferred alternative, but 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 tribes’ senior water rights in a manner that avoids adverse impacts to non-Indian water users," said Interior Secretary Bruce 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."

The Bureau of Reclamation will be seeking public input on the proposal and the document, which is now open for a 60-day public-review period.

A public hearing will take place Feb. 15 in Durango from 7 to 9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel’s main ballroom, 501 Camino del Rio.

There will also be public hearings Feb. 16 in Farmington and Feb. 17 in Denver.

Written comments will be accepted until March 17 and should be addressed to Pat Schumacher, Four Corners Division Manager, Four Corners Division of the Western Area Office, 835 E. Second Ave., Suite 300, Durango, Colo. 81301; telephone 385-6590; fax 385-6539; e-mail pschumacher@uc.usbr.gov.

The document is available on the Internet at www.uc.us br.gov under the "Environ-mental 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 E. Second Ave., Suite 300, Durango, Colo. 81301, 385-6558.