[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5941-H5942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONJUNCTIVE USE OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN JUAB COUNTY, UTAH
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 1736) to amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization
and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use of surface
and groundwater in Juab County, Utah.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1736
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONJUNCTIVE USE OF SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN JUAB
COUNTY, UTAH.
Section 202(a)(2) of the Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575)
is amended by inserting ``Juab,'' after ``Davis,''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Cannon) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.
General Leave
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
The purpose of H.R. 1736, as introduced by our distinguished
colleague from Utah (Mr. Cannon), is to amend the Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to provide for conjunctive use
of surface water and groundwater in Juab County, Utah.
H.R. 1736, when enacted, would authorize a water resources
feasibility study for the city of Juab, Utah. This study includes
groundwater recharge and management, as well as a review of the joint
use of surface water and groundwater.
The assessment and evaluation of current water resources is essential
to understanding the needs of the community and the environment. H.R.
1736 seeks to provide the technical information needed by the city of
Juab.
I thank Mr. Cannon for his hard work on this legislation and urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1736.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 1736. I would like to begin by thanking the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her kind comments and
background on this bill.
H.R. 1736 passed the House of Representatives last Congress, and I
reintroduced this legislation earlier this year. This bill will benefit
many of my constituents by allowing Juab County to become eligible for
funding for conjunctive use under the Central Utah Project. Precious
water resources in Utah are highly valued and maximizing existing water
resources efficiently is imperative.
The Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project was planned to
develop and export water from the high Uinta Mountains in the eastern
part of the State and bring it to the populated Wasatch Front.
As originally planned, Juab County would have received a large amount
of water. However, due to alterations in the original plan, much of
that water is planned for use in the Wasatch, Utah, and Salt Lake
Counties. While efforts will continue to identify and secure
substantial additional water supplies for Juab, there are near-term
steps that can be taken to help the county meet its current needs and
growing demands. This legislation will facilitate one of those near-
term steps.
H.R. 1736 will allow Juab County to become eligible for funding for
studies and construction of conjunctive use projects by amending the
Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992. Allowing
Juab County to be eligible to receive funds under the Central Utah
Project Completion Act will allow the county to maximize surface water
flows and groundwater sources by storing flows in existing aquifers.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1736.
[[Page H5942]]
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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