Montana Water Contracts Extension Act of 2004

Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider H.R. 5009, legislation to extend water service contracts between the United States and specific water users in Montana.

The bill is non-controversial and the House Resources Committee unanimously passed H.R. 5009 on September 22, 2004.

My legislation affects 5 water entities in central and southwest Montana, including the City of Helena and 4 specific irrigation contractors. It permits the Bureau of Reclamation and these local water entities to extend their existing long-term water service contracts for up to another 2 years, so that the parties may negotiate new long-term contracts.

This bill is a legislative fix to a bureaucratic situation. Most of the contracts addressed in my legislation are due to expire on December 31, 2004. Contract renewal negotiations between these local water districts and the Bureau of Reclamation have been delayed by Missouri River Endangered Species Act studies and other issues. Without this legislation, the water service contracts would expire at the end of the year and the local entities would lose significant water service. The contract extensions will maintain the current water supply for the specified areas under the current terms and conditions during the renegotiation process.

I urge my colleagues to support this important measure and vote in favor of maintaining water supply in Montana.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5009) to extend water contracts between the United States and specific irrigation districts and the City of Helena in Montana, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 5009, authored by our distinguished committee colleague from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), extends five Bureau of Reclamation water service contracts with the city of Helena, Montana, and nearby irrigation districts for up to 2 years. These extensions are needed mainly to complete necessary Endangered Species Act studies on the Missouri River. Furthermore, these extensions will allow for continued water deliveries while providing more time for the Federal Government and contract holders to negotiate new long-term contracts.

I urge the adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 752, H.R. 3954, H.R. 4066, H.R. 4469, H.R. 4579, H.R. 4596, H.R. 4683, H.R. 4808, S. 643, S. 1687, S. 2052, H.R. 3247, H.R. 4617, H.R. 4827, H.R. 4838, S. 1537, S. 1778, S. 2180, H.R. 3210, H.R. 3597, H.R. 4606, H.R. 5009, H.R. 5016, S. 2508, H.J. Res. 102, H. Res. 737, H.R. 2941, and H.R. 3479.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, we have no objection to the consideration of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.