[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H706-H707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BURNT, MALHEUR, OWYHEE, AND POWDER RIVER BASIN WATER OPTIMIZATION 
                     FEASIBILITY STUDY ACT OF 2001

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1883) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a feasibility study on water optimization in the Burnt River 
basin, Malheur River basin, Owyhee River basin, and Powder River basin, 
Oregon.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1883

       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 a feasibility 
     study 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in favor of 
H.R. 1883.
  This legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
engage in a feasibility investigation for the Burnt, Malheur, Owyhee 
River basins in eastern Oregon. It is the next step in the United 
States Bureau of Reclamation process now that their initial study has 
been completed. The United States Bureau of Reclamation's earlier 
studies examined problems associated with such issues as excess 
nutrients in surface water, sedimentation, high-water temperatures, 
degraded fish habitat, low-stream flows and lack of adequate stream-
side vegetation.
  The feasibility study that H.R. 1883 authorizes would help find the 
most logical approaches to address these issues.
  Mr. Speaker, the farmers and ranchers are the driving force behind 
this legislation. As they have proven over and over again, it is the 
farmers and ranchers who are some of our strongest environmentalists. 
They care deeply about the land and water that they use

[[Page H707]]

 to grow the crops that feed us all. This bill will set a process in 
motion that will allow the farmers to leave more water in stream while 
maintaining their current yields.
  The bill is supported by the Burnt River Irrigation District, the 
Power Valley Water Control District, the Baker Valley Irrigation 
District, the Owyhee Irrigation District, the Owyhee Ditch Company, the 
Vale Oregon Irrigation District, and the Warm Springs Irrigation 
District. It is a simple, straightforward bill that deserves our 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1883. This bill is a simple 
and discretionary authorization to allow the Secretary of the Interior 
to conduct a feasibility study on water optimization in three river 
basins in northeastern Oregon. The bill would authorize appropriations 
as are necessary to carry out the study.
  During the summer there is no remaining unappropriated water in these 
river basins. In low-water years, available water may be inadequate to 
supply junior water rights holders. The Bureau of Reclamation developed 
the multi-purpose irrigation facilities in these basins, but the 
projects are now operated by the local water users. Local interests 
want to continue the involvement of the Bureau of Reclamation to 
construct small-scale water management projects, and H.R. 1883 provides 
for the study of appropriate projects. I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 1883.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his 
support of the legislation. I appreciate the assistance of the minority 
in helping us move this bill forward. It will be good for fish. It will 
be good for farmers. I urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1883.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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