[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11186-S11187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        MOUNT ST. HELENS RECOVERY OPERATION ON THE COWLITZ RIVER

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, yesterday the Senate passed the 
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Conference Report. I seek 
clarification from the Chairman on two matters related to flood control 
measures along the Cowlitz River in Washington state necessary to 
mitigate impacts from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. That 
eruption reduced the Cowlitz River channel capacity to one tenth of its 
pre-eruption level. In 1985, Congress enacted Public Law 99-88 which 
authorized and directed the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to 
construct, operate, and maintain a sediment retention structure with 
such design features and associated downstream actions as are 
necessary. An October 1985 Decision Document identified specific levels 
of protection for Cowlitz River communities, consistent with risk 
assessments and NED criteria.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, if I may join my colleague from Washington 
state, this Decision Document became the basis for the local cost-
sharing agreement signed by federal, state, and local officials in 
April, 1986. This agreement was recognized by Congress in the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1986. It has come to attention of Senator 
Murray and I that the Corps is uncertain whether the levels of 
protection in the Decision Document are discretionary or required.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, it is our understanding that both 
Congressional intent and the recollections of those most intimately 
involved in crafting the cost-share agreement support the 
interpretation that these levels of protection are required. Does the 
distinguished Chairman concur?
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, the Senators from Washington are 
correct. I am informed that the Mount St. Helens Decision Document does 
indeed set for the levels of protection for communities along the 
Cowlitz River. The Decision Document was the basis for the cost-sharing 
agreement with state and local entities and commits the Corps to 
maintain these specified levels of protection.
  Mrs. MURRAY. I thank the Chairman. In addition, heavy rains and 
flooding during February 1996 brought to light some serious problems 
and omissions in the Mount St. Helens recovery effort that require 
immediate attention.
  Mr. GORTON. My colleague from Washington is correct. In several cases 
work by the Corps or its contractors appears to have created new 
problems. In the case of the Coweeman River, over one mile of volcanic 
sediment that backed up in this tributary. Initially ignored, this 
sediment now poses a serious threat to the community of Kelso. The 
Corps is currently scheduled to initiate a two-year study of these 
hazards and levels of protection in fiscal year 2000. It makes sense to 
all concerned that these matters be addressed as soon as possible.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Does the distinguished chairman agree that the Corps 
should use available funds in fiscal year 1999 to address this 
important issues and advance the study outlined by Senator Gorton?
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it would seem prudent and responsible 
for the Corps to use available funds during fiscal year 1999 to address 
this important issue.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator Gorton, I 
thank the chairman.

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