[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     AUTHORIZING BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE COST SHARING FOR 
ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS FOR UPPER COLORADO AND 
                         SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS

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                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 2348, I 
rise to urge its approval.
  This bill is an important one for Colorado and the other States 
within the upper basin of the Colorado River and the basin of the San 
Juan River.
  The recovery program for endangered fish in the upper basin of the 
Colorado river is a cooperative program involving the State of Colorado 
and our neighboring States of Utah and Wyoming; the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Western Area Power 
Administration, environmental organizations, and water-development 
interests in all three states.
  The State of Colorado is also a participant in the recovery program 
for the San Juan program, along with New Mexico, the Southern Ute and 
Ute Mountain Ute tribes, USFWS and Bureau of Reclamation, the Navajo 
Nation, the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, and water development interests.
  Both recovery programs are aimed at recovering the endangered fish in 
ways that meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act while 
minimizing conflicts and allowing continued utilization of the area's 
scarce water resources for this and other purposes in ways that are 
consistent with applicable state laws, interstate compacts, and Supreme 
Court decrees allocating water among the states.
  The purpose of the legislation is to provide a specific authorization 
for the funding that is necessary for implementation of these programs. 
Such funding has been consistently provided in recent years, but having 
such a specific authorization will provide greater certainty for all 
concerned.
  The bill is the product of a cooperative effort among the 
participants in the programs and other interested parties. It is a 
sound and balanced measure that merits strong support. I am glad to 
have the opportunity to join with Chairman Hansen and the other 
sponsors of this legislation in urging its passage by the House and 
hope that the Senate will act promptly to send it to the President for 
signature into law.

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