[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 151 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H11153-H11154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACT AMENDMENTS

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2889) to amend the Central Utah Project Completion Act to 
provide for acquisition of water and water rights for Central Utah 
project purposes, completion of Central Utah project facilities, and 
implementation of water conservation measures.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2889

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACT.

       The first sentence of section 202(c) of the Central Utah 
     Project Completion Act (Public Law 102-575; 106 Stat. 4611) 
     is amended to read as follows: ``The Secretary is authorized 
     to utilize any unexpended budget authority provided in this 
     title up to $60,000,000 and such funds as may be provided by 
     the Commission for fish and wildlife purposes, to provide 65 
     percent Federal share pursuant to section 204, to acquire 
     water and water rights for project purposes including 
     instream flows, to complete project facilities authorized in 
     this title and title III, to implement water conservation 
     measures, and for the engineering, design, and construction 
     of Hatchtown Dam in Garfield County and associated facilities 
     to deliver supplemental project water from Hatchtown Dam.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).

[[Page H11154]]

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 2889 would amend the Central Utah Project to authorize the 
Secretary of Interior to use up to $60 million in unexpended budget 
authority to acquire water and water rights, complete project 
facilities, and implement water conservation measures within the CUP. 
Since the 1992 enactment of the CUP Completion Act, issues regarding 
endangered species, water conservation and minimum flows in the lower 
Provo River have arisen that need to be adequately addressed and 
funded. During completion of the CUP, changes in modifications to 
project features resulted in excess funds in some accounts and 
shortages in others.

                              {time}  2030

  This requires this amendment to complete this project.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2889 would permit the use of savings 
achieved in certain areas of the Central Utah Project to be spent on 
other projects and programs where needed and without further 
Congressional approval. The administration supports the bill and it is 
not considered controversial. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
2889.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon).
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to express my 
gratitude to the gentleman from California (Chairman Doolittle), the 
gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the House leadership for 
bringing this legislation before the House.
  The Central Utah Project has allowed for the development and delivery 
of Utah's water for decades. The Bureau of Reclamation and the Central 
Utah Water Conservancy District have nearly completed the planning of 
the project components and water conservation measures have surpassed 
expectations, while Federal dollars have been saved at various stages.
  H.R. 2889 simply allows resources to be shifted from one project to 
the next as they are needed. This will ensure that the remaining 
projects can be completed in a timely and cost effective manner. The 
legislation provides no additional Federal dollars. It only provides 
flexibility to transfer already authorized dollars and resources as 
they are needed throughout the project.
  H.R. 2889 does not increase Federal spending, nor does it increase 
any Federal spending authority. H.R. 2889 incorporates the changes 
sought by the administration, and, therefore, we do not expect 
opposition from the White House. Companion legislation has been 
introduced by Senator Bennett and consideration by the other body is 
expected soon.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2889.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2889.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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