[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 24 (Thursday, February 8, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  By Mr. CRAIG:
  S. 542. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the 
Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in the State of Idaho, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies 
to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette 
River systems in the State of Idaho. My State has experienced 
unprecedented growth in recent years. That growth, coupled with years 
of drought, has created a serious need for additional water storage. Of 
course, the first step in developing additional storage is the 
feasibility process.
  This bill provides the consent needed for the Secretary to conduct 
further studies of the projects that are currently underway in the 
State of Idaho that will help to alleviate water shortages in three of 
our river basins. This bill authorizes $3,000,000 to be used for the 
continuation of these studies.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to quickly move this 
much-needed bill through the legislative process.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 542

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT FEASIBILITY STUDIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting 
     through the Bureau of Reclamation, may conduct feasibility 
     studies on projects that address water shortages within the 
     Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in the State of 
     Idaho, and are considered appropriate for further study by 
     the Bureau of Reclamation Boise Payette water storage 
     assessment report issued during 2006.
       (b) Bureau of Reclamation.--A study conducted under this 
     section shall comply with Bureau of Reclamation policy 
     standards and guidelines for studies.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry 
     out this section $3,000,000.
       (d) Termination of Effectiveness.--The authority provided 
     by this section terminates on the date that is 10 years after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.

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