Making history, Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton of the Bureau of Reclamation became the first Commissioner to visit the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s headquarters in the agency’s 133-year existence. Chairman Melvin J. Baker, the Tribal Council, and staff extended a warm welcome to the Commissioner and her team, who were joined by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and congressional staff from Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper’s offices.
The meeting provided a platform for tribal leadership to elevate concerns about water challenges and express appreciation for the Bureau of Reclamation’s ongoing support in building tribal water resiliency. “This visit marks a new chapter in our collaborative efforts with the Bureau of Reclamation. We are grateful for Commissioner Touton’s commitment to understanding our needs and for this grant award that will assist our efforts to improve and strengthen our water security,” Chairman Baker said.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe was awarded a $4,666,719 grant, with $2.3 million coming from the federal government and $2.3 million provided by the Tribe as a match. This funding, announced by Commissioner Touton during a meeting, will support the construction of long-crested weirs to stabilize water levels upstream of tribal diversions during dry periods and ensure the Tribe can access its full water allocation. The grant is part of the Biden-Harris Investing in America project.
“This funding through President Biden’s Investing in American Agenda will help you respond to water reliability challenges due to drought,” Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said. “We continue to prioritize tribal nations as you lead with solutions for the benefit of water sustainability across the West.”
“For too long, the United States has failed to live up to its responsibility to adequately fund and maintain the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. I was grateful to travel to Ignacio today with Commissioner Touton to welcome this investment to ensure the Southern Ute Indian Tribe can access the water it needs. There is much more work to be done, but this is a great start,” Senator Michael Bennet said.
Following the meeting, Commissioner Touton, Senator Bennet, and Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud embarked on a tour of the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project, led by the Tribe’s Water Resources Division. The Tribe’s long-standing positive relationship with the Bureau of Reclamation has resulted in valuable technical assistance and multiple grants for infrastructure improvements, including fish passage enhancements.