[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8958-S8959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH of Oregon:
  S. 1384. A bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act to expand the definition of the term ``Major 
disaster'' to include an application of the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 that souses severe economic hardship; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, earlier this month I went to the 
Santiam Canyon community of Detroit. Along with my visit to Klamath 
Falls in May, it was probably one of the most emotional days I have had 
as a Senator.
  This beautiful community, located on one of Oregon's most popular 
recreational lakes, has been devastated by a combination of natural and 
man-made disasters. I stood next to one of the Detroit Lake marinas, 
which in past years had been the busiest spot on the lake, provided 
services to hundreds of boaters. I was amazed to see this marina was 
high and dry. Now there are only tree stumps and mud flats in the 
reservoir. Again, a result of both natural and man-made disasters. I 
hosted a town hall where 350 community residents, nearly the entire 
population of the City of Detroit, came to share their desperate 
concerns.
  I need to tell you what brought the community of Detroit, OR, to this 
point.
  Over 50 years ago, the town was forced by the Federal Government to 
move from its original location so that Detroit Dam & Reservoir could 
be built. The original city site was buried under several feet of 
water. Detroit was a hearty community of strong-willed men and women. 
Instead of giving up, they moved their community to higher ground, and 
they survived. Years later, the Federal Government again came to 
Detroit. Like a number of other timber dependent communities in Santiam 
Canyon, the timber supply from the surrounding Federal land was cut off 
and the mills were forced to close. Again, the residents of Detroit 
refused to be broken, and instead retooled their economy from timber to 
tourism.
  Now, the Federal Government is visiting Detroit, Oregon again. This 
time, as a result of drought and the government's decision to drain 
Detroit Reservoir, upon which that new economy was based, the community 
is once again facing extinction. Even with economic losses estimated at 
$1.75 million, the Small Business Administration and the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency tell me that according to their 
regulations, there is no disaster in Detroit, OR, today.
  I am here to tell you that there is a disaster in Detroit, it was 
caused by the Federal Government, and it should be made right by the 
Federal Government.
  The Corps of Engineers drained Detroit Lake this summer before it 
ever had a chance to fill. The Corps tells me that under a negotiated 
agreement with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, NMFS and 
other State and Federal agencies, it devised an operating plan to drain 
the reservoir in order to meet far downstream needs for water quality 
under the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, and even to 
meet the power needs of California. Once again, the needs of rural 
communities were left out of the equation.

[[Page S8959]]

  I hope that the Senate will work with me to find more effective ways 
of addressing drought. Detroit Lake is the prime example of how Federal 
programs fail to prepare and assist non-agricultural communities 
through drought disasters. This must change. The Federal Government 
must engage the States in preparing comprehensive drought contingency 
plans that address all those who are affected, agricultural and non-
agricultural communities alike.
  Areas like Detroit Lake and the Klamath Basin also portray in bold 
proportion the Federal Government's failure to take responsibility for 
its own actions, actions it deems necessary to meet environmental 
goals. I do not believe, however, that commitment to shared 
environmental values means leaving dustbowls, wastelands, and paralyzed 
communities in the wake of Federal actions. There must be a better way.
  Therefore, I am introducing legislation today that would qualify 
government-induced disasters for Disaster relief under the same 
guidelines as natural disasters. It seems only fitting that if the 
Government causes the disaster, it should provide the same relief as 
when nature causes the problem.
  I understand our environmental ethic, and I believe in our 
environmental stewardship obligations. But I know that I am not alone 
when I say this Government of the people and by the people, must also 
be for the people. Including those people hurting in Detroit, OR, 
today.
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