[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH:
  S. 1307. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of 
fish passage and screening facilities at non-Federal water projects, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
provide the Bureau of Reclamation, an agency of the Department of the 
Interior, with limited off-site mitigation authority in the Columbia 
River Basin. This legislation, if enacted, would enhance Reclamation's 
ability to comply with the provisions of the December 2000 biological 
opinion for operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System.
  This legislation is similar to an Administration proposal that was 
submitted to the Congress on October 30, 2002, but never introduced 
during the 107th Congress. Prior to the introduction of this bill, I 
have sought comments from numerous stakeholders in the Pacific 
Northwest and have addressed any concerns raised whenever possible.
  While there has been a recent court ruling on the 2000 biological 
opinion that found certain aspects of the opinion to the arbitrary and 
capricious, it is important to move forward with the reasonable and 
prudent alternatives, including fish passage improvements. The 
Administration is currently working to address the deficiencies in the 
biological opinion. I remain committed to working with my colleagues, 
the Northwest governors, and the Administration to keep salmon recovery 
on track, while preserving the multiple benefits for the Pacific 
Northwest of the Federal Columbia River Power System.
  The good news in our region is that over the past few years there 
have been robust salmon runs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. 
Promising new technologies, such as removable spillways, have also been 
tested in recent years. I know that the Administration remains 
committed to taking actions throughout the salmon's life cycle to 
recover salmon runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This important 
legislation, if enacted, will provide yet another tool in addressing 
the complex issues of salmon recovery. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this legislation, and will press for its consideration in 
a timely manner.
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