News Release Archive

Reclamation Begins Negotiations on Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Contract for the Animas-La Plata Project

Media Contact: Pat Page, (970) 385-6560, ppage@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: March 13, 2009

Reclamation's Western Colorado Area Office announced today that beginning in March it will start negotiations with the newly formed Animas-La Plata Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Association (Association) on a contract that identifies the terms of the operation, maintenance and related responsibilities for the Animas-La Plata Project. The first negotiation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO. If necessary, the negotiations will continue the next day, March 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Association is comprised of Project sponsors including the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, the La Plata Conservancy District, the Navajo Nation, the San Juan Water Commission, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The contract will become effective when the Animas-La Plata Project is completed and has been transferred from construction status to operation and maintenance status.

All negotiations are open to the public as observers, and the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments pertaining to the contract during a thirty (30) minute comment period following each negotiation session. The proposed contract and other pertinent documents will be available at the negotiation meeting, or can be obtained on our website under Current Focus or by contacting Ryan Randol of the Bureau of Reclamation, 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 300, Durango, Colorado, 81301, telephone (970) 385-6531 or e-mail rrandol@uc.usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.