[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 150 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF S. 1972 AND S. 2594

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2000

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1972, legislation 
to convey to the town of Dolores, Colorado the site of Joe Rowell Park, 
and S. 2594, legislation to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to 
contract with the Mancos, Colorado water conservancy district to use 
its water facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, Joe Rowell Park in Dolores, Colorado is a focal point of 
the community. This 24-acre park provides the Town of Dolores with a 
place for baseball and soccer games, a playground and a restful, 
beautiful spot for recreation. The property is currently owned by the 
United States Forest Service and leased to the Town of Dolores, which 
has invested over $400,000 to improve Joe Rowell Park. This investment 
created the only lit baseball and softball fields in the Forest 
Service's inventory. However, the leasing arrangement has caused 
management difficulties for both parties involved. As a result, the 
Forest Service determined that Joe Rowell Park is suitable for 
conveyance into non-federal ownership by the Town of Dolores. I commend 
my colleague, Senator Wayne Allard for offering this legislation to 
streamline the management of this important park in Dolores, Colorado 
and support the passage of this bill.
  I also rise in strong support of S. 2594, legislation that would 
authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to contract with the Mancos, 
Colorado water conservancy district to use the Mancos project 
facilities to store and wheel non-project water for irrigation and 
domestic, municipal and industrial uses.
  This legislation would allow the Mancos, Colorado water conservancy 
district to continue to contract to carry non-project water, which has 
become a normal operational procedure at the facility. Using Mancos' 
excess capacity encourages more efficient water management on project 
lands and more flexible use of the project's facilities.
  I am pleased to support this legislation.

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