[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 55 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2619-H2620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NORTH SIDE PUMPING DIVISION OF MINIDOKA RECLAMATION PROJECT, IDAHO, 
                         AUTHORIZATION INCREASE

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3577) to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated 
for the north side pumping division of the Minidoka reclamation 
project, Idaho.

[[Page H2620]]

  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3577

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

     SECTION 1. INCREASED AUTHORIZATION FOR MINIDOKA PROJECT, 
                   IDAHO.

       Section 5 of the Act of September 30, 1950 (chapter 1114; 
     64 Stat. 1085), authorizing appropriations for the north side 
     pumping division of the Minidoka reclamation project, Idaho, 
     is amended by striking ``$11,395,000'' and inserting 
     ``$14,200,000''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Idaho (Mr. Simpson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R 3577.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Idaho?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3577 is a bill to increase the amount authorized to 
be appropriated for the north side pumping division of the Minidoka 
reclamation project in Idaho.
  A&B Irrigation is the contracting entity for the north side pumping 
division of the Minidoka project. The division, located on the southern 
portion of the State of Idaho, consists of some 80,000 acres. 
Construction of the division was completed in 1959 and control was 
transferred to the district in 1966.
  Due to the lack of natural surface drainage outlets to the Snake 
River and constraints associated with the drainage onto the lower-lying 
Minidoka Irrigation District, most irrigation return flows and 
stormwater runoffs are injected into drain wells which are part of the 
original project design.
  The drain wells pass the water directly into the underlying aquifer. 
In 1991, the United States Environmental Protection Agency designated 
the eastern Snake River plain aquifer a sole source of drinking water.
  Under provisions of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, if a sole 
source of drinking water is contaminated it could result in a 
significant public health hazard. In an effort to comply with the Act, 
the district and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation developed a plan to 
dispose of this runoff.
  The remaining work consists of constructing passive treatment and 
reuse systems at an estimated cost of $2.8 million, of which up to $1.3 
million would be reimbursable to the district under a cost-sharing 
arrangement, 60 percent U.S. Federal Government, 40 percent irrigation, 
A&B irrigation.
  As of now, 42 of the original 78 drain wells have been closed or 
abandoned, but 36 wells are still active. This legislation would amend 
the original language to increase the authorization by $2.8 million 
from $11,395,000 to $14,200,000.
  In the energy and water appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2000, 
money was appropriated for the district to continue capping these wells 
in order to comply with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. 
Unfortunately, the ceiling was hit and no further funding could be 
used. By increasing the ceiling, the district will be able to complete 
its project, which in turn will help prevent the main source of 
drinking water from south central Idaho from being contaminated.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all colleagues support H.R. 3577.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) has quite 
properly explained this legislation to increase the spending ceiling 
for the north side pumping division of the Minidoka project in Idaho by 
$2,805,000. This increase would allow work already begun under the 
Minidoka north side drain water management plan to be completed.
  We need to protect the underground drinking water supplies in this 
area of the Snake River plain because they are threatened by 
contaminated irrigation drain water. I would urge all members of the 
committee to support this legislation. The administration has testified 
in support of this legislation and it is not controversial.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3577.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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