[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2862-S2863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         OROVILLE-TONASKET CLAIMS SETTLEMENT AND CONVEYANCE ACT

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 412, which was received 
from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 412) to approve a settlement agreement between 
     the Bureau of Reclamation and the Oroville-Tonasket 
     Irrigation District.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, today, the Senate will take up and pass 
H.R. 412, legislation authorizes a settlement between the Bureau of 
Reclamation and the Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District in Washington 
State. Senator Murray and I introduced identical legislation on this 
subject earlier this month.
  The reason for the speedy passage of this legislation is directly 
related to the settlement entered into between the Bureau of 
Reclamation and the irrigation district. This legislation will 
authorize a carefully negotiated settlement between the BOR and the

[[Page S2863]]

Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District. When enacted, this legislation 
will save the BOR, and therefore the Nation's taxpayers, money that 
would otherwise be spent fighting with the irrigation district in 
court. The administration supports the legislation.
  The reason for quick action on this legislation is the fact that the 
settlement between the irrigation district and the BOR requires 
enactment of the legislation by April 15, 1997. If the legislation is 
not enacted by that date, the irrigation district would have to refile 
its claim against the Government, and we'd be right back where we 
started--in court. As a result, Chairman Murkowski, and Senators 
Bumpers and Kyl have carefully considered my request for quick action 
and have noted the unique circumstances surrounding this legislation. I 
would like to thank Senators Murkowski, Bumper, and Kyl for working 
with me to get this legislation passed quickly. This is truly a unique 
situation, which calls for quick action.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill 
be considered read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be 
placed at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection. It is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 412) was passed.

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