[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO 
    CONVEY CERTAIN FACILITIES, EASEMENTS, AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY TO THE 
         KENNEWICK IRRIGATION DISTRICT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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                           HON. DAN NEWHOUSE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 8, 2019

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce legislation 
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to transfer title of certain 
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) works to the Kennewick Irrigation District 
(KID) in Central Washington.
  The legislation will transfer title of BOR works beginning at KID's 
headgate extending 40 miles east. The transfer includes the conveyance 
of land and project facilities and must be completed no later than two 
years after its enactment. This title transfer will allow KID to manage 
water supplies more efficiently, while also reducing federal 
liabilities and providing a cost savings benefit to the federal 
government.
  KID was initially built to serve the agricultural community in the 
Tri-Cities area. Today, the majority of ratepayers live in residential 
developments, and the change from farmland to urbanization is expected 
to continue into the foreseeable future.
  Madam Speaker, in the last Congress the House overwhelmingly 
supported this legislation. Unfortunately, the Senate was unable to 
bring the bill up for consideration before final adjournment, so that 
is why I am reintroducing this legislation to attain swift action and 
consideration by our Senate colleagues to get this to the President's 
desk.
  I hope that we can move this legislation soon to ensure there will be 
a safe, reliable, and efficient water supply for the next generation in 
Central Washington.

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