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Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA)

Introduction

Before CUPCA

The Central Utah Project was authorized by Public Law 84-485 on April 11, 1956, as a participating project of the Colorado River Storage Project to help meet Utah’s long-term water needs. Construction progress on CUP proceeded slowly because of: the complexity of the project; complex environmental analyses; and inadequate and sporadic Federal funding. The slow progress prompted state and local officials to ask Congress to empower the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) to complete the planning and construction of the remaining portion of the CUP, specifically the Bonneville Unit.

CUPCA

Congress responded to local concerns by enacting the Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA) in 1992. For the first time in history, Congress designated a local entity (CUWCD) as the planning and construction entity for a major Federal water project.

Key Elements of CUPCA

•	Water for the Future – CUPCA authorizes sufficient Federal funds to complete the CUP. The construction of CUP facilities provides water for Utah’s future-- including the future of the Uinta Basin. The Uinta Basin Replacement Project is a key element of the construction authorized under CUPCA. •	Recreation Opportunities – CUP facilities provide a range of recreational opportunities. •	Fiscal Responsibility – CUPCA created a cost-sharing environment under which local funds augment federal funding in the planning and construction of CUP features—which engenders additional fiscal responsibility. •	Environmental Commitments – CUPCA created the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission to coordinate and plan of mitigation measures to meet both pre-CUPCA and CUPCA environmental mitigation and conservation measures. CUPCA also includes provisions for maintaining steam flows at prescribed minimum rates for the benefit of aquatic and riparian habitat. •	Water Conservation – CUPCA authorizes substantial funding for the planning and implementation of water conservation measures and projects. •	Local Development – CUPCA provides funding for local water development projects in areas that do not benefit directly from the CUP. •	Ute Indian Rights Settlement – CUPCA encourages the Ute Tribe to quantify by compact its reserved water rights. It also settle long-outstanding claims against the United States arising out of the construction of the CUP by authorizing substantial funds to compensate the Ute Tribe for construction projects not undertaken by the United States. These funds provide for agricultural development, fish and wildlife enhancement, recreation improvement, and economic development.