[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 10 (Friday, February 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND RURAL ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2001--Continued

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the regular order, and I ask that 
the Crapo amendment be the regular order.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is the regular order.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate that very much. I didn't know 
that. Thanks for advising me.


                           Amendment No. 2842

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2842.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the 
amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Amendments 
Submitted.'')
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, there has been a lot of discussion regarding 
the Crapo amendment. I spoke at some length this morning regarding my 
amendment to that amendment. I am sure there will be more discussion on 
Monday and Tuesday as to this amendment. It is an important amendment. 
My amendment is supported by virtually every conservation group in 
America. It is supported by many farm groups. The people who oppose 
this amendment, as I said this morning, have a lot of imagination 
because what they are talking about has no relation to the facts, and 
it is obvious to me it is without foundation.
  I hope people will refer to the statement I made earlier today and 
recognize that all these concerns about the Federal Government taking 
the water from these poor, unfortunate ranchers and farmers is simply 
untrue. State law would rule. Any water that would be transferred would 
be that of a willing seller or a willing lessor. No one can be forced 
to do anything. It does not change State water law. For example, in the 
State of Nevada, the water engineer makes those decisions relating to 
water and would still make those decisions.

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