[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 4023. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
to the McGee Creek Authority certain facilities of the McGee Creek 
Project, Oklahoma, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation to authorize 
the title transfer of the McGee Creek Reservoir dam and its associated 
facilities, which are located approximately 20 miles southeast of 
Atoka, OK.
  My bill transfers title from the Bureau of Reclamation to the McGee 
Creek Authority.
  The McGee Creek Authority is a trust of the State of Oklahoma. This 
Oklahoma entity was established to develop, finance, operate, and 
maintain the water supply in the McGee Creek Reservoir. Thus, the 
primary purpose is to provide a dependable ``municipal and industrial'' 
water supply for Oklahoma City, the City of Atoka, Atoka County, and 
the area represented by the Southern Oklahoma Development Trust. The 
McGee Creek Authority currently operates the dam and associated 
facilities.
  This title transfer under this bill will allow Oklahoma City to make 
the necessary capital improvements and upgrades needed to assure the 
continued efficient operation of the Reservoir.
  This bill is responsible legislation that will end requests for 
federal funds and will protect the federal government from legal 
liabilities that could be incurred in their operation.
  This legislation is the result of cooperation and coordination 
between Oklahoma City, the McGee Creek Authority, and the Bureau of 
Reclamation. I thank the Bureau of Reclamation for their drafting 
service in preparing the legislation, as well as of course the Senate 
Legislative Counsel. This legislation was requested by Mayor Mick 
Cornett of Oklahoma City, and I am happy to assist in this worthy 
cause.
  I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the letter of request 
from Mayor Cornett.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the bill.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:
                                                February 13, 2006.
     Hon. James Inhofe,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Inhofe: The purpose of this letter is to 
     request your assistance in obtaining a federal legislative 
     authorization for the title transfer of the McGee Creek 
     Reservoir dam and associated facilities from the Bureau of 
     Reclamation to the McGee Creek Authority. The McGee Creek 
     Authority is a trust of the State of Oklahoma and also 
     currently operates the dam and associated facilities.
       This title and transfer is supported by the Bureau of 
     Reclamation and will allow Oklahoma City to make capital 
     improvements and upgrades needed to assure the continued 
     efficient operation of the Reservoir.
       Attached is a copy of the background of the Authority's 
     responsibility and the description of the property to be 
     transferred.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Mick Cornett,
                                                            Mayor.
                                 ______