[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S328-S329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2027. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Army to design and 
construct a warm water fish hatchery at Fort Peck Lake, Montana; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.


         the fort peck fish hatchery authorization act of 2000

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Fort 
Peck Fish Hatchery Authorization Act of 2000. As you may know, the Fort 
Peck project was built in the 1930s to dam the Upper Missouri River. 
The original authorization legislation for the Fort Peck project, and 
subsequent revisions and additions, left a great many promises unmet. A 
valley was flooded, but originally Montana was promised increased 
irrigation, low-cost power, and economic development. Since the 
original legislation, numerous laws have been enacted promising 
increased recreational activities on the lake, and also that the 
federal government would do more to support the fish and wildlife 
resources in the area.
  In this day and age, economic development in rural areas is becoming 
more and more dependent upon recreation and strong fish and wildlife 
numbers. The Fort Peck area is faced with a number of realities. First, 
the area is in dire need of a fish hatchery. The only hatchery in the 
region to support warm water species is found in Miles City, Montana. 
It is struggling to meet the needs of the fisheries in the area, yet it 
continues to fall short. Additionally, an outbreak of disease or 
failure in the infrastructure at the Miles City hatchery would leave 
the entire region reeling with no secondary source to support the 
area's fisheries.

[[Page S329]]

  We are also faced with the reality that despite the promises given, 
the State of Montana has had to foot the bill for fish hatchery 
operations in the area. Since about 1950 the State has been funding 
these operations with little to no support from the Corps of Engineers. 
A citizens group spanning the State of Montana finally decided to make 
the federal government keep its promises.
  Last year the citizens group organized, and state legislation 
subsequently passed to authorize the sale of a warm water fishing stamp 
to begin collecting funds for the eventual operation and maintenance of 
the hatchery. I helped the group work with the Corps of Engineers to 
ensure that $125,000 in last year's budget was allocated to a 
feasibility study for the project, and Montanans kept their end of the 
bargain by finding another $125,000 to match the Corps expenditure. 
Clearly, we are putting our money, along with our sweat, where our 
mouth is.
  Recreation is part of the local economy. But the buzzword today is 
diversity. Diversify your economy. The Fort Peck area depends 
predominately on agriculture. More irrigated acres probably aren't 
going to help the area pull itself up by its boot straps. But a 
stronger recreational and tourism industry sure will help speed things 
up.
  A lot of effort has already gone into this project. A state bill has 
been passed. The Corps has dedicated a project manager to the project. 
Citizens have raised money and jumped over more hurdles than I care to 
count. But the bottom line is that this is a great project with immense 
support. It is a good investment in the area, and it helps the federal 
government fulfill one thing that it ought to--its promises.
  Mr. President, I want to acknowledge that this legislation is still a 
work in progress and many of the specifics will change as the Corps 
completes its feasibility study on the project. It may cost slightly 
more. It may cost less. The cost share requirement may need to be 
altered to make the project work, but I feel this legislation must be 
introduced now to expedite its consideration.
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