[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2148-E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEGISLATION WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CITY OF 
                           CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I introduce today a bill to create a win-win 
situation for the Federal Government and the city of Corpus Christi, 
TX.
  Mr. Speaker, the 104th Congress has made much of reducing the size of 
Government, saving taxpayer dollars and moving the decision of 
Government back to States. The administration's reinventing government 
proposals accomplish the same goals. As a part of the latter, the Vice 
President has directed the Bureau of Reclamation to initiate a program 
of title transfer of water supply projects to move ownership of these 
projects from the Federal Government to the States or local entities.
  I introduce this legislation today on behalf of the State of Texas, 
to create a process so the State or our public agencies may purchase 
and accept title to the Bureau of Reclamation projects in the State. 
This bill has the full support of the Texas State legislature, which 
recently passed a resolution, signed by the Governor, accepting the 
responsibility for this process of title transfer.
  Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I introduce this legislation at the 
request of the city of Corpus Christi. The city supports title transfer 
and wants local responsibility for the Nueces River project, locally 
known as the Choke Canyon project.
  In 1976, the city of Corpus Christi and the Nueces River Authority 
contracted with the Bureau of Reclamation for the construction of the 
Choke Canyon Reservoir-Nueces River project--on the Frio River near 
Three Rivers, TX. The primary purpose of the project was to provide an 
additional water supply for the city of Corpus Christi through the year 
2040. Since the project was completed in 1982, however, studies have 
determined that the current supply to the city from the project is less 
than was promised, and additional water supplies will be required by 
the year 2003. The local sponsors are proposing that the repayment 
agreements be recalculated to reflect the diminished water supply from 
the project, as well as the expenses to the local sponsors in acquiring 
additional water supplies to compensate for the projected shortfall in 
the Choke Canyon/Lake Corpus Christi system. After reallocating project 
costs and/or negotiating a fair settlement of project repayment 
obligations, the local sponsors are prepared to initiate a project buy-
out and transfer of title utilizing a discounted prepayment of their 
fair share of project costs.
  Mr. Speaker, our local citizens are taking a very responsible 
approach to this situation. They are offering the Federal Government a 
substantial cash payment up front, they are offering to purchase and 
protect thousands of acres of sensitive land as mitigation for the 
original project and they are accepting the responsibility for the 
future operations and maintenance of the project. As the Corpus Christi 
Water Engineer James Dobson pointed out in recent Congressional 
hearings, there are significant benefits to the legislation I offer 
today:

       For the Federal Government, these include: Immediate access 
     to large amounts of capital from early payoffs; avoidance of 
     long term liabilities for Federal share of project O&M costs; 
     avoidance of other future liabilities; continued compliance 
     with Federal project objectives; and reduced federal 
     administrative expenses.
       For the local sponsors the benefits include: Long range 
     economic savings by prepayment of debt; freedom from expenses 
     caused by excessive Federal involvement in the project 
     management; and local decision making on resources used 
     locally.

  Mr. Speaker, I want to point out to my colleagues, I introduce this 
legislation on behalf of a very responsible community in terms of its 
approach to water resources. As Mayor Mary Rhodes recently pointed out:

       I want to emphasize that we are not talking about an area 
     that places disproportional demands on its water resources. 
     Texas Water Development Board studies show that Corpus 
     Christi's per capita water use is one of the lowest in the 
     state for a major city--only 155 gallons per capita per day. 
     Our industries are very water efficient--in the petroleum 
     refining and petrochemical sectors, facilities in the Corpus 
     Christi area use only 40 to 60 percent as much water per 
     barrel of product as similar facilities in other parts of 
     Texas.


[[Page E 2149]]

  Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for this legislation. It is 
responsible, it addresses a serious local need, it fulfills expressed 
goals of both the 104th Congress and the administration, but most 
importantly--it makes sense.

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