[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 85 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES/APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

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                               speech of

                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4690) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes:

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Chairman, I have discussed with the gentleman 
from Kentucky the fact that the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) is conducting an economic mitigation study associated with the 
Lower Snake River in my congressional district. In addition, NMFS may 
direct the Corps of Engineers to conduct an engineering study on how to 
breach the dams.
  Language addressing Corps funding for such a study is included in H. 
Rept. 106-693, the report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2001 Energy and 
Water Development Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4733). The report states, 
``The amount provided for the Columbia River Fish Mitigation program 
does not include funds for engineering and design, or other post-
feasibility phase activities, associated with breaching Lower Snake 
River dams.'' It is my understanding that it is the intent of the 
Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies 
subcommittee that no funds are included for NMFS for engineering and 
design, or other post-feasibility phase activities including economic 
mitigation studies associated with breaching the Lower Snake River 
dams.

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