[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 70 (Thursday, June 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELLTON-MOHAWK TRANSFER ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 356, the 
Wellton-Mohawk Transfer Act.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 356 would transfer the title of the Gila Project from 
the Bureau of Reclamation to the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District. 
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain facilities of the Gila Project in Arizona to the Wellton-Mohawk 
Irrigation and Drainage District. The Secretary will convey the 
facilities under the terms of a Memorandum of Agreement between the 
Bureau of Reclamation and the District dated July 10, 1998.
  Mr. Speaker, the Gila Project began in 1936, with the first drop of 
water made available on the Gila Gravity Main Canal on November 4, 
1943. Construction of the Wellton-Mohawk Division was started in August 
1949, and the first delivery of Colorado River water on Wellton Mohawk 
fields was made on May 1, 1952. Throughout the years, the Wellton-
Mohawk Irrigation District has clearly demonstrated their commitment to 
the Gila Project and the current operation of the Gila Project will not 
change with the final passage of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 356 is an excellent bill because it demonstrates 
Congress' commitment to moving title transfer legislation and Congress' 
commitment to defederalizing Bureau of Reclamation projects. I would 
like to commend the hard work of my Arizona colleagues, as well as 
Chairman Doolittle, and particularly the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation 
District and the Bureau of Reclamation on this important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I support full passage of S. 356.

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