[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ARROWROCK PROJECT HYDROELECTRIC LICENSE EXTENSION BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support for H.R. 4377, the 
Hydroelectric Project at Arrowrock Dam License Extension. This bill 
will bring more public power to Pacific Northwest energy customers by 
extending the time required for construction of the Arrowrock 
hydroelectric project.
  The extension is necessary because of consultations with the Fish & 
Wildlife Service to evaluate and protect threatened species in the 
vicinity of the project--bull trout. Because of delays in these 
consultations the commencement of construction was delayed past the 
expiration date of March 2005. An extension of license P 4656 is needed 
in order to begin construction during winter of 2006 or 2007 to take 
advantage of the lower water conditions.
  This project was unable to meet the March 20, 2005 start of 
construction deadline because the Fish & Wildlife Service would not 
begin consultation on the project until after it completed consultation 
on all of the Reclamation projects in the Upper Snake River Basin. That 
Upper Snake consultation was a direct outgrowth of the requirements of 
the Snake River Water Rights Act of 2004, H.R. 4818, Title X, and the 
Nez Perce Agreement of 2004. I believe that the inaction of one federal 
agency should not be the basis for depriving the citizens of Oregon, 
Idaho and the United States of important rights, including their rights 
under permits issued by other federal agencies.
  I support H.R. 4377 and ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the 
bill.

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