[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HANFORD REACH OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, this weekend the Senate Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee is going to hold a field hearing in 
Mattawa, WA. We will discuss S. 200, my legislation to designate the 
Hanford Reach of the Columbia River as a wild and scenic river.
  The Hanford Reach is the last free-flowing stretch of this mighty 
river. Protecting it for future generations is a top priority for me.
  In 1995, I convened a group of local citizens, and I asked them to 
help me find the best way to protect this portion of the Columbia 
River. They unanimously concluded an act of Congress designating the 
reach as a wild and scenic river, with a recreational classification, 
would be the best way to preserve this valuable resource.
  In fact, a poll of registered voters in central Washington done last 
year indicated that 76 percent favored designation of the Hanford Reach 
as a wild and scenic river, while only 11 percent opposed it. So the 
will of the region is clear: The reach needs the best protection we can 
give it to make sure it remains accessible to everyone.
  Protecting the Hanford Reach is not about local versus Federal 
control. It is about giving a natural treasure the best possible 
protection that we can. And it is also about promoting jobs in the long 
term and protecting our heritage.
  What does the designation do? First, it puts central Washington on 
the map as a home to a resource found nowhere else on Earth--a river 
unique and important enough to become part of the U.S. national wild 
and scenic river system. Second, it protects the river in its current 
condition. It allows all of the existing uses to continue, but ensures 
the river stays forever the way we see it today. In fact, my bill 
specifically grandfathers in current uses protecting existing economic 
interests and enhancing the river's future economic value to our 
region.
  There is much more at stake here than who manages the river. This 
issue is much bigger than that. We all know what problem we have with 
protecting salmon. ESA listings have been made for the Snake River and 
are being considered for the Columbia. If we ever want to get ahead of 
the salmon problem, we have to start by protecting the reach. My bill 
gives us a cheap and easy way to do just that. It simply transfers 
Federal property from one agency to another; no private lands need to 
be acquired or jeopardized.
  Let me reiterate, we simply can't afford to take chances with the one 
part of the river that works well--and inexpensively--for fish. 
Compared to drawdowns, dam removal and other suggestions that we have 
heard for saving salmon, permanent protection of the reach gives 
ratepayers, river users and irrigators a virtually cost-free way of 
accomplishing what could be a very expensive recovery effort.
  We have done a lot of talking about the reach, and I am convinced 
that we are getting closer. It seems to me when you have a resource 
that is this important to the State, reasonable people ought to be able 
to find a way to agree on the best way to protect it. I am committed to 
bringing people together around that goal and keeping them together 
until we finish the job.
  Mr. President, I look forward to hearing the testimony this weekend, 
and I thank my senior colleague, Senator Gorton, for helping me put 
this hearing together.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, it is my understanding that we are in the 
morning business hour.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

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