[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICES AT FOLSOM
DAM
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4079) to authorize the construction of temperature control
devices at Folsom Dam in California, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4079
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION TO CONSTRUCT TEMPERATURE CONTROL
DEVICES.
(a) Folsom Dam.--The Secretary of the Interior is hereby
authorized to construct in accordance with the draft
environmental impact statement/environmental impact report
for the Central Valley Supply contracts under Public Law 101-
514 (section 206) and the report entitled ``Assessment of the
Beneficial and Adverse Impacts of Operating a Temperature
Control Device (TCD) at the Water Supply Intakes of Folsom
Dam'', a temperature control device on Folsom Dam and
necessary associated temperature monitoring facilities. The
temperature control device and said associated temperature
monitoring facilities shall be operated as an integral part
of the Central Valley Project for the benefit and propagation
of fall-run chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the
American River, California.
(b) Device on Non-CVP Facilities.--The Secretary of the
Interior is hereby authorized to construct or assist in the
construction of 1 or more temperature control devices on
existing non-Federal facilities delivering Central Valley
Project water supplies from Folsom Reservoir and necessary
associated temperature monitoring facilities. These costs of
construction of temperature control device and associated
temperature monitoring facilities shall be nonreimbursable
and operated by the non-Federal facility owner at its
expense, in coordination with the Central Valley Project for
the benefit and propagation of chinook salmon and steelhead
trout in the American River, California.
(c) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be
appropriated for the construction of a temperature control
device on Folsom Dam and necessary associated temperature
monitoring facilities the sum of $5,000,000 (adjusted for
inflation based on October 1997 prices). There is also
authorized to be appropriated for the construction of a
temperature control device on existing non-Federal facilities
and necessary associated temperature monitoring facilities
the sum of $1,000,000 (October 1997 prices). There is also
authorized to be appropriated, in addition thereto, such
amounts as are required for operation, maintenance, and
replacement of the temperature control devices on Folsom Dam
and associated temperature monitoring facilities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the primary purpose of H.R. 4079 is to authorize the
construction of a temperature control device on Folsom Dam. The dam is
located about 20 miles upstream from the city of Sacramento, California
on the American River. A temperature control device is needed to allow
the diversion of municipal water supplies from a point higher in the
water column in the Folsom Reservoir than is now possible with the
existing municipal water intakes. By diverting the water high on the
water column, cold water can be released into the lower American River
for steelhead and fall-run chinook salmon during the critical July
through October period of the year when water temperatures tend to
reach their annual highs. I would urge an aye vote on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4079 which will authorize
Federal and non-Federal projects at the Bureau of Reclamation's Folsom
Dam Reservoir. These projects are intended to help and control and
monitor the temperature of water released from Folsom Dam so the fish
may benefit from the releases of cooler water. The amount authorized by
H.R. 4079 for the temperature control devices at Folsom Dam is $5
million, although no specific requirements for reimbursing of these
costs are set forth in the bill. It is my understanding the Bureau of
Reclamation will consider these costs as capital improvements to the
CVP project and will allocate the costs among CVP water and power
customers in accordance with current CVP cost allocation procedures.
The cost estimate report prepared by the Congressional Budget Office
on H.R. 4079 clearly states that, quote, about 4 million, end quote, of
the cost of constructing temperature control devices and monitoring
apparatus at Folsom Dam would be repaid by the water and power users.
With this understanding regarding the reimbursement of costs, the
administration has advised us they do not object to this legislation.
The control of water temperatures released from dams is a proven and
cost-effective method of improving survival of fish.
{time} 1645
I thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Water and Power for his
commitment to this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support
H.R. 4079.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4079, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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