    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [October 13, 1997]
    [Page 1352]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Energy and Water Development Appropriations
    Act, 1998
    October 13, 1997

        I have today signed into law H.R. 2203, the ``Energy and Water
    Development Appropriations Act, 1998,'' which provides $20.7 billion in
    discretionary budget authority for the discretionary programs of the
    Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
    Reclamation, the Army Corps of Engineers, and several smaller agencies.
        The Act provides necessary funding to continue DOE's commitment to
    ensuring the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile and
    DOE's investment in developing advanced renewable energy technologies.
    The Act also provides essential funding to develop and protect the
    Nation's environmental resources.
        I hereby declare $5 million from the Construction General account of
    the Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of an emergency outlet
    for Devils Lake, North Dakota, as an emergency requirement pursuant to
    section 251(b)(2)(D)(I) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
    Control Act of 1985, as amended.
        I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining FY 1998
    appropriations bills as quickly as possible, and to send them to me in
    an acceptable form.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 13, 1997.

    Note: H.R. 2203, approved October 13, was assigned Public Law No. 105-
    62.