[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1013-S1014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Smith of Oregon):
  S. 238. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
feasibility studies on water optimization in the Burnt River basin. 
Malheur River basin, Owyhee River basin, and Powder River Basin, 
Oregon; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I am introducing today legislation that 
will allow the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study on 
ways to improve water management in the Malheur, Owyhee, Powder and 
Burnt River basins in northeastern Oregon. An earlier study by the 
Bureau identified a number of problems on these four Snake River 
tributaries, including high water temperatures and degraded habitat.
  These types of problems are not unique to these rivers; in fact, many

[[Page S1014]]

rivers in the Pacific Northwest are in a similar condition. However, 
Oregon has a unique approach to solving these problems through the work 
of Watershed Councils. In these Councils, local farmers, ranchers and 
other stakeholders sit down together with the resource agencies to 
develop action plans to solve local problems.
  The Council members have the local knowledge of the land and waters, 
but they don't have technical expertise. The Bureau of Reclamation has 
the expertise to collect the kinds of water flow and water quality data 
that are needed to understand how the watershed works and how effective 
different solutions might be.
  One class of possible solutions includes small-scale construction 
projects, such as upgrading of irrigation systems and creation of 
wetlands to act as pollutant filters. This legislation would allow the 
Bureau of Reclamation to partner with the Watershed Councils in 
determining how such small-scale construction projects might benefit 
both the environment and the local economy.
  This bill authorizes a study; it does not authorize actual 
construction. It simply enables the Bureau to help find the most 
logical solution to resource management issues.
  Last Congress, the Senate passed the same bill I am introducing 
today. However, the other body did not act on the legislation before 
the last Congress adjourned.
  I look forward to prompt action to enact this bill in the current 
Congress. I welcome my colleague, Mr. Smith, as an original cosponsor 
of this bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 238

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Burnt, Malheur, Owyhee, and 
     Powder River Basin Water Optimization Feasibility Study Act 
     of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. STUDY.

       The Secretary of the Interior may conduct feasibility 
     studies on water optimization in the Burnt River basin, 
     Malheur River basin, Owyhee River basin, and Powder River 
     basin, Oregon.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
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