[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FISCAL YEAR 2000 ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the chairman 
and ranking member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, 
Senators Domenici and Reid, for the extraordinary work they have 
accomplished in bringing the FY2000 energy and water appropriations 
bill to the floor. While this bill funds a number of vastly important 
national security and economic development programs and initiatives, 
until this year it has been relatively non-controversial, in part 
because of the hard work of my colleagues, Senators Domenici and Reid.
  This year, however, they have had to operate under more difficult 
circumstances. They have had to fashion a bill from extremely limited 
resources. As reported by the Appropriations Committee, the bill 
provides $21.2 billion in new budget authority--$12.6 billion within 
defense activities and $8.6 billion within nondefense. In the defense 
accounts, that represents a $220 million increase over the President's 
budget request. In the nondefense accounts, however, it represents a 
reduction of $608 million from the request. This includes decreases in 
funding for critical water projects.
  As the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee noted in his 
opening remarks on Monday, this is the first time in his memory--and he 
has been here many years longer than this Senator from North Dakota--
that less funding for water projects is provided than requested in the 
budget. This is a worrisome situation for many important and worthwhile 
flood control and other projects in the coming year, but that is also a 
situation forced upon this subcommittee, indeed on most subcommittees, 
by the allocations received as a result of staying within the budget 
caps.
  He also noted that he was unable to accommodate all of the funding 
requests of the members of this body. That was the case with this 
Senator, but I do want to note that he and his distinguished ranking 
member were able to fund a number of important flood control and water 
development projects in my home state of North Dakota.
  For instance, as the city of Grand Forks continues its recovery from 
the devastating 1997 floods of the Red River, the city and State have 
developed a plan to reconstruct flood control dikes to protect the 
cities of Grand Forks, ND, and East Grand Forks, MN, from future 
floods. The city and State are matching Federal funds for this project, 
but this bill provides $9 million in federal funds for initial 
construction.
  It also funds the President's request of $27 million for the Garrison 
Diversion project as well as over $2 million in additional funds 
requested by me and Senator Conrad for unmet water supply needs on our 
Indian reservations. The tribes have already reached their funding 
ceiling under existing authority for these needs and the Bureau of 
Reclamation has documented over $200 million in critical unmet water 
development needs on three reservations. These funds will begin to make 
a dent in these needs.
  I am also pleased that the bill recommends $1 million for the Energy 
and Environmental Research Center, EERC, to conduct research relating 
to the integration of biomass with fossil fuels in conventional power 
systems to increase busload renewable electricity generation; 
development of practical methods for using biomass in advanced power 
systems; and improvement of efficiency and environmental performance in 
agricultural processing and forest-based product industries producing 
food, fiber, and chemicals. These funds will build upon the exciting 
research already being conducted at the nationally recognized EERC in 
Grand Forks.
  The bill funds the President's request of $5 million to purchase of 
easements and compensate landowners who in the Buford-Trenton area are 
unable to farm as a result of flooding and high water tables caused by 
siltation upriver from the Garrison Dam. In 1998, more than 1000 acres 
remained under water and represented an economic loss to the farmers 
and others in this area of hundreds of thousands of dollars. This year, 
the water level is higher and only continues to grow. This is a Federal 
responsibility and one which is only beginning to be met. The project 
was authorized in the 1996 Water Development Act at $34 million and 
this represents continued progress for buying easements from willing 
sellers.
  Finally, I appreciate the subcommittee's support for an amendment 
offered by me and Senator Conrad to add $50,000 for a reevaluation 
study of the Grafton dikes project by the Army Corps of Engineers. 
Because the project was de-authorized, this report is needed. While not 
reauthorizing the project, these funds will help us jump start the 
process once the project is reauthorized.
  Our water supply and flood control needs in North Dakota are many and 
growing. Not all of our requested needs are met by this bill, but this 
is a good bill and one I can support. I thank Chairman Domenici and 
Ranking Member Reid for their support and look forward to working with 
them in conference.
  I yield the floor.

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