[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  ALABAMA - COOSA - TALLAPOOSA AND APALACHICOLA-CHATTA-HOOCHEE-FLINT 
                          RIVER BASIN COMPACTS

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
express my gratitude today for the cooperation of my colleagues, and in 
particular my good friend and home State colleague, Senator Richard 
Shelby, as well as colleagues from Florida and Georgia and the chairman 
of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Orrin Hatch, and the chairman of 
the Constitution Subcommittee, Senator John Ashcroft, for their 
expedited consideration of the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa and 
Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin compacts that passed the 
Senate today.
  Our citizens in Alabama and the Southeast region have many benefits 
from an outstanding environment and a generous water supply. But 
population increases have made water resources extremely valuable. The 
water compacts passed today by the Senate are the first step in 
allowing the three States of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida to enter 
into legal, acceptable agreements which will ensure the water resources 
of the region are divided in a responsible and equitable way, which 
protects the environment and ensures a reliable supply of water for 
drinking, agriculture, and recreation.
  Passage of these water compacts is the result of nearly 20 years of 
work between the States of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Today's 
action represents only the initial step in a challenging process which 
must ultimately be carried through by these States. The water compacts 
themselves do not contain the formula for actually dividing the water 
resources, but serve only to grant permission to the States to create a 
formula themselves. Without the water compacts, it is likely my home 
State of Alabama, along with Georgia and Florida, would be forced into 
Federal court for protracted litigation to determine an equitable way 
to divide these resources. The action taken today will allow our States 
to enter into thoughtful negotiations rather than wasteful litigation 
to determine a permanent solution to our region's water resource 
problems.
  Mr. President, no remarks on this action by me today would be 
complete without my mentioning the work of Alabama Gov. Fob James and 
State Representative Richard Laird, who have worked tirelessly toward 
this end. Governor James has personally given his attention to the 
matter, and negotiations have been ongoing, as I have noted, for many 
years. Representative Laird has been very active in this entire process 
and has been the main spokesman for Alabama's effort for over 3 years. 
As a former attorney general in the State of Alabama and one who was 
involved in these activities, I know firsthand the personal commitment 
that Representative Laird has given to this effort.
  I also want to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Craig Kneisel, 
the chief of the environmental section of the Alabama Attorney 
General's office. Craig Kneisel has been the chief of that 
environmental office since its founding around 20 years ago. He has 
given leadership and legal advice to this effort that has reached a 
good conclusion today.
  So we have made a major step toward making an equitable resolution of 
the water problems of these States, but we have to keep on going. There 
is no doubt that, as our population increases, as our economy grows, 
there will be greater and greater stress on these wonderful 
environmental resources. We must protect them and at the same time must 
make sure that economic growth is facilitated by having a healthy 
environmental resource such as these two river basins.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KERREY. 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. KERREY. I thank the Chair.
  Mr. President, are we in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning business has just concluded.
  Mr. KERREY. It is only 20 to 6.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is morning somewhere.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
to speak as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. KERREY. I thank the Chair.

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