[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH of Oregon (for himself and Mr. Wyden):
  S. 908. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in a water conservation project with the Tumalo Irrigation 
District, OR; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


THE TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION PROJECT AUTHORIZATION 
                                  ACT

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I am today introducing 
legislation to authorize financial assistance to the Tumalo Irrigation 
District for the construction of water system improvements for the 
purposes of efficient utilization of water and to increase water for 
in-stream flows in Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes River basin.
  The district will conserve approximately 40,000 acre feet of water 
per year upon completion of the project. This conservation will allow 
the diversions from the Deschutes River and Tumalo Creek to be reduced 
by about 32,000 acre-feet. This increased in-stream waterflow will 
improve water quality, fisheries, increase opportunities for 
recreation, and enhance fire protection with the possible installation 
of hydrants.
  This legislation also has the added benefit of local funding with 50 
percent coming from the district, State, and community. This project 
will be completed in phases with the recommended total appropriation at 
$15,000,000.
  I am proud of the district's work to improve in-stream flows. This is 
a positive solution to the inefficient and environmentally unsound 
system now in place. Oregon has long demonstrated its ability to 
identify innovative and progressive solutions, and I believe that this 
legislation will allow the Tumalo Irrigation District to proudly 
continue that tradition.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be 
inserted in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 908

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress Assembled, That this 
     Act may be cited as the ``Tumalo Irrigation District Water 
     Conservation Project Authorization Act''.
       Sec. 2. At the request of the Tumalo Irrigation District, 
     Oregon, the Secretary of the Interior may participate in the 
     design, planning, and construction of a comprehensive water 
     conservation project by the District. The federal share of 
     the costs of such project may not exceed 50 percent.
       Sec. 3. There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of the Interior, plus or minus such amounts as may 
     be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations of applicable 
     cost indexes, not to exceed $15,000,000 for the federal share 
     of costs related to the project.
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