[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO 
   TRANSFER CERTAIN FACILITIES OF THE MINIDOKA PROJECT TO THE BURLEY 
               IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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                         HON. MICHAEL D. CRAPO

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Speaker, I'm introducing this bill to authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain facilities at the 
Minidoka project to the Burley Irrigation District.
  In 1926, under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, operation and 
maintenance of the distribution system of the southside pumping 
division of the Minidoka project was transferred to Burley Irrigation 
District. The district has operated and maintained the distribution 
system ever since.
  In the early 1950's the main southside canal and certain electrical 
distribution lines were transferred for operation and maintenance to 
Burley Irrigation District as well. In addition to those transfers the 
district agreed, under its contracts, to pay to the United States the 
construction costs incurred in constructing the project and the 
Minidoka Dam.
  It also agreed to pay its proportionate share of the construction 
costs of storage facilities in which the irrigation district attained a 
right to all water stored in the space acquired by the district in the 
reservoir.
  At this time, the Burley Irrigation District has paid in full all 
construction costs allocated to the district in the storage facilities 
and all costs incurred in the construction of the distribution system 
operated and maintained by the district.
  For 70 years the Burley Irrigation District has demonstrated its 
competence in operating and maintaining the facilities proposed for 
title transfer. Clearly they have the technical capability to meet both 
their physical and financial obligations.
  For these reasons I am introducing this bill to convey title to the 
Burley Irrigation District, of Federal reclamation distribution 
facilities.

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