Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)

[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6265-H6267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

COLORADO RIVER SALINITY CONTROL FIX ACT

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7872) to amend the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act
to modify certain requirements applicable to salinity control units,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 7872

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Colorado River Salinity
Control Fix Act''.

SEC. 2. SALINITY CONTROL UNITS.

Section 205 of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Act (43 U.S.C. 1595) is amended--
(1) by striking the section designation and all that
follows through ``(a) The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:

``SEC. 205. SALINITY CONTROL UNITS; AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

``(a) Allocation of Costs.--The Secretary'';
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Nonreimbursable costs; reimbursable costs.--
``(A) Nonreimbursable costs.--
``(i) In general.--In recognition of Federal responsibility
for the Colorado River as an interstate stream and for
international comity with Mexico, Federal ownership of the
land of the Colorado River Basin from which most of the
dissolved salts originate, and the policy established in the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
and except as provided in clause (ii), the following shall be
nonreimbursable:

``(I) 75 percent of the total costs of construction and
replacement of each unit or separable feature of a unit
authorized by section 202(a)(1), including 90 percent of--

``(aa) the costs of operation and maintenance of each unit
or separable feature of a unit authorized by that section;
and
``(bb) the total costs of construction, operation, and
maintenance of the associated measures to replace incidental
fish and wildlife values foregone.

``(II) 75 percent of the total costs of construction and
replacement of each unit or separable feature of a unit
authorized by section 202(a)(2), including 100 percent of--

``(III) 75 percent of the total costs of construction,
operation, maintenance, and replacement of each unit or
separable feature of a unit authorized by section 202(a)(3),
including 75 percent of the total costs of construction,
operation, and maintenance of the

[[Page H6266]]

associated measures to replace incidental fish and wildlife
values foregone.
``(IV) 70 percent of the total costs of construction,
operation, maintenance, and replacement of each unit or
separable feature of a unit authorized by paragraphs (4) and
(6) of section 202(a), including 70 percent of the total
costs of construction, operation, and maintenance of the
associated measures to replace incidental fish and wildlife
values foregone.
``(V) 70 percent of the total costs of construction and
replacement of each unit or separable feature of a unit
authorized by section 202(a)(5), including 100 percent of--

``(VI) 85 percent of the total costs of implementation of
the on-farm measures authorized by section 202(c), including
85 percent of the total costs of the associated measures to
replace incidental fish and wildlife values foregone.

``(ii) Special rule for nonreimbursable costs for fiscal
years 2024 and 2025.--Notwithstanding clause (i), for each of
fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the following shall be
nonreimbursable:

``(I) 75 percent of all costs described in clause (i)(I).
``(II) 75 percent of all costs described in clause (i)(II).
``(III) 70 percent of all costs described in clause (i)(V).
``(IV) The percentages of all costs described in subclauses
(III), (IV), and (VI) of clause (i).

``(B) Reimbursable costs.--The total costs remaining after
the allocations under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph
(A) shall be reimbursable as provided for in paragraphs (2),
(3), (4), and (5).'';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection
designation and all that follows through ``Costs of
construction'' in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(b) Costs Payable From Lower Colorado River Basin
Development Fund.--
``(1) In general.--Costs of construction'';
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ``(c) Costs of
construction'' and inserting the following:
``(c) Costs Payable From Upper Colorado River Basin Fund.--
Costs of construction''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``(e) The Secretary is''
and inserting the following:
``(e) Upward Adjustment of Rates for Electrical Energy.--
The Secretary is''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.

General Leave

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 7872, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7872, the Colorado River
Salinity Control Fix Act. The Colorado River is a critical resource for
the basin's seven States.
Since the 1970s, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
has operated salinity control projects to reduce salinity levels in the
river, which helps to improve crop yields for farmers. This effort is
crucial since agriculture is the most significant component of the
basin's economy.
Historically, this program has been funded through both
appropriations and power revenues. However, the Colorado River has
experienced historic ongoing multidecade drought conditions that have
reduced hydropower generation and created an imbalance between the
program's obligations and the costs payable through hydropower.
The Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act would address this
challenge by reducing the cost-share percentages from hydropower
revenues and increasing the Federal nonreimbursable costs for the
salinity programs across the Colorado River Basin.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the Colorado River Salinity
Control Fix Act introduced by my colleague from Utah (Mr. Curtis).
The Colorado River is, of course, one of the American West's national
treasures, but it is also a vital source of fresh water for 40 million
people and 5.5 million acres of farmland across seven States and
Mexico.

{time} 1545

These communities rely on this river for water that is essential to
their livelihoods.
Agriculture and natural leaching can lead to the rising levels of
salinity that threaten the water quality of these communities and the
amount of water available to be used for hydropower generation.
Congress recognized the crucial need to limit the river's salinity in
1974 when it passed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act,
which authorized a desalting complex, and by passing further amendments
to establish a basin-wide salinity control project.
For years, these actions have helped maintain the salinity content
within the river.
The problem of salinity now, however, has been significantly
intensified by continually worsening drought conditions, which have
limited hydropower generation and, in turn, the funds made available
for salinity control programs.
This bill before us today prompts us to once again take action to
preserve the water quality in the Colorado River. Specifically, this
legislation would increase the Federal cost share for the program to
account for the impacts of ongoing drought.
We must ensure that the Colorado River's clean fresh water does not
become ruined by our inaction.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Curtis), the lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill,
the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, a critical piece of
legislation addressing a longstanding challenge to the people of Utah.
High salinity levels in the Colorado River have far-reaching
consequences. They threaten the beauty and the integrity of Utah's
national parks, impact our ranchers and farmers, and jeopardize
drinking water for millions of Americans.
Decades ago, Congress recognized the urgency of this issue. In 1974,
the Colorado River Salinity Control Program was established to combat
harmful effects of salt discharged into the river from natural saline
rock formations.
However, we now face new challenges, including reduced water flows
and increasing pressures on the Federal budget. The Colorado River
Salinity Control Fix Act makes vital adjustments to this program,
ensuring its continued effectiveness while adapting to modern
realities.
I am pleased to see this important bill before us today. It
represents a significant step toward preserving Utah's iconic
landscapes, safeguarding our water resources, and ensuring a clean and
reliable water supply for Utahns and all who depend on the Colorado
River.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill and
join me in protecting one of our Nation's most important resources.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Again, H.R. 7872 builds on important efforts undertaken by all seven
States in the Colorado River Basin to ensure that salinity control
projects are funded.
These projects support farmers and ranchers across the region and
lead to better environmental outcomes. The importance of this work
cannot be overstated.
Lastly, I thank Congressman John Curtis for his work in moving this
legislation forward. While we will miss him on our committee next year,
I know we will continue to find ways to work with him in his new role
at the other end of the Capitol.

[[Page H6267]]

Mr. Speaker, I encourage adoption of this legislation, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7872.
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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