[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2009

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                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 2009

  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I'd like to share with you and my 
esteemed colleagues the importance of the Upper Colorado River and San 
Juan River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Program.
  This program is a premier example of how to recover endangered fish 
species while also providing more than 3 million acre-feet of water per 
year to Federal, tribal and non-Federal water projects.
  It has been cited as the most successful fish recovery program in the 
United States and is used as a model for other recovery programs 
developed across the country.
  Today I am introducing the ``Endangered Fish Recovery Programs 
Improvement Act of 2009'' to ensure this program can finish the 
restoration projects identified for complete success.
  This bill extends the authorization of programs until 2023. At that 
time the fish species of concern will be fully recovered and the 
infrastructure in place to ensure continued success.
  The projects completed to date on the Upper Colorado and San Juan 
River Basins are examples of outstanding cooperation among a diverse 
group of local, state and federal governmental agencies, environmental 
groups, water users and utility consumers.
  People ask why they've never heard of this recovery program and 
that's because it has been so successful. The fish identified as being 
under threat have been substantially maintained.
  This bill is critical for the continued and final success of the 
projects necessary for recovery of the endangered fish.

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