[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THOMAS (for himself, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Enzi, and Mr. Hagel):
  S. 1398. A bill to extend certain contracts between the Bureau of 
Reclamation and irrigation water contractors in Wyoming and Nebraska 
that receive water from Glendo Reservoir; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.


         THE IRRIGATION PROJECT CONTRACT EXTENSION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Irrigation 
Project Contract Extension Act of 1997. I am pleased to be joined in 
this endeavor by Senators Enzi, Kerrey, and Hagel.
  This legislation would extend, for a period of 3 years, certain water 
contracts between the Bureau of Reclamation and irrigators in Wyoming 
and Nebraska that receive water from Glendo Reservoir. All contracts 
are subject to renewal on December 31, 1998. Extending these contracts 
is considered a major Federal action and, therefore, subject to review 
of the National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] and the Endangered 
Species Act [ESA]. Without a short-term continuation agreement, the 
irrigators would be responsible for the costs of the analysis and other 
environmental documentation.
  Currently, the States of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado--and the 
Department of the Interior--are in the process of implementing a 
comprehensive ``Cooperative Agreement for Platte River Research and 
Other Efforts relating to Endangered Species Habitats along the Central 
Platte River, Nebraska.'' The term of this initiative is for 3 years, 
with an allowable 6-month extension. Upon completion of the cooperative 
agreement, efforts to enact the Platte River Recovery Implementation 
Program can begin. This basin wide, three-State plan will help to 
recover the endangered whooping crane, piping plover, and least stern, 
and improve critical habitats in the Central Platte River Basin.
  I believe it is important for Congress to act on this measure and 
extend these contracts for 3 years, or until the cooperative agreement 
is completed. In that time, the needed NEPA and ESA reviews will be 
fulfilled--clearing the way for the program to be initiated. It is 
important to remember that the program cannot be implemented until the 
environmental studies are completed and the parties have agreed to the 
results.
  Mr. President, this bill does not avoid environmental evaluation. It 
merely provides some relief to the water users, while allowing the NEPA 
and ESA documentation to take place through the cooperative agreement 
process. It is my understanding that once this agreement has expired, 
and if the Department of the Interior and the three States decide not 
to pursue the program, the contract renewal process would proceed as a 
separate Federal action at that time.
  This is good and fair legislation. It will benefit the environment 
and the water users. I look forward to working with my colleagues in 
the Senate and House to secure its passage.
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