[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   AGRICULTURE WATER CONSERVATION ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 1995
  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Agriculture 
Water Conservation Act.
  During 1992, nearly 1.5 million acres of cropland in the United 
States irrigated by surface/gravity methods, either was converted to 
more efficient irrigation systems or was removed from production. At 
the same time, low-flow irrigation acreage increased by 15 percent and 
sprinkler acreage grew at a pace of 3 percent. An increasing demand on 
a limited water supply has created a demand in the agriculture 
community for water conservation.
  Over the last several years I have read countless articles in 
different publications on the need to conserve water, and the role 
Federal Government has with this mission. While discussing water 
conservation methods with farmers in my district, I found cost was 
their overriding concern. The outlays required to implement water 
conservation systems--i.e., drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, ditch 
lining--are a tremendous burden on the agriculture industry. While I 
firmly believe most agriculture interest are genuinely concerned about 
conserving water, cost has crippled by the ability to implement 
conservation methods on farms.
  My bill is not a mandate for expensive water conservation systems, it 
is a tool and an option for the farmer. Specifically, it will allow 
farmers to receive up to a 30 percent tax credit for the cost of 
developing and implementing water conservation plans on their farm 
land. The tax credit could be used primarily for the cost of materials 
and equipment. This legislation would not require them to change their 
irrigation practices. However, it would allow those farmers who want to 
move toward a more conservation approach of irrigation but cannot 
afford to do it during these tough economic times.
  I am currently focusing a great amount of effort on reducing the 
threats to viable agriculture in the United States. The Agriculture 
Water Conservation Act, which is similar to legislation I introduced in 
the last two Congresses, is the kind of incentive we need in order to 
establish conservation measures which enable farmers to assist in 
solving water shortage problems. I believe providing for the long term 
water supply needs of environmental, urban, and agricultural users is a 
critical part of the solution.
  The Agriculture Water Conservation Act is not the end all solution. 
Since I have introduced this bill in 1992 I have consulted with 
farmers, local irrigation districts, the Department of Interior's 
Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Agriculture's Natural 
Resources Conservation Service. All these groups have given me helpful 
and beneficial advice on how to improve on this legislation. I believe 
farmers will contribute to solving water supply problems when given the 
opportunity, as they already have through conservation transfers and 
crop changes. This bill will provide yet another vehicle for farmers to 
contribute toward a solution while offering a modest credit to share 
the cost with the true beneficiaries--the public.


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