East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 997, the East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension.

Water and energy are pretty important to Montana, and as you may know, I've spent a lot of time working with the House Water and Power Subcommittee over the years on these issues. This time, though, there's something a little different. There's just something cool about working on a bill that starts with ``S'' instead of ``H.R.''--I think I could get used to this!

I'm sure it's not lost on you that this legislation is sponsored by Senator Jon Tester, the Junior Senator from Montana. We're both Montanans and while there are certainly things we disagree about-- President Obama's health reform and stimulus, protecting gun rights and government bailouts--even with all those differences, there are ways to find common ground.

An example of common ground is this legislation. S. 997 is a good idea, and it's one I hope my colleagues will vote in favor of.

The bill simply authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to extend a water contract between the United States and the East Bench Irrigation District in Beaverhead and Madison Counties in southwestern Montana. It has no impact on the federal budget.

The Clark Canyon Dam and Reservoir--owned and operated by the Bureau of Recreation--supplies irrigation water for 28,000 acres within the East Bench Irrigation District.

The operation is bound by a contract between the federal government and the District--a contract that expired on December 31, 2005. Since then, federal appropriations acts have extended the original contract for two year durations. S. 997 extends it again through the end of 2013.

I realize this sort of congressional contract extension isn't common, but in cases where specific variables delay contract renewals, it's appropriate and necessary. In this case, the law requires Montana's 5th District Court to issue a decree before any new contract can be signed.

That decree has been delayed, so S. 997 provides the regional farmers and ranchers with necessary water certainty until at least 2014. Hopefully, by then, all parties will be ready to agree to a new long- term contract.

For dry land farmers and ranchers, water is our most precious resource. We have a lot of land--plenty of dirt between light bulbs-- and our productivity is only constrained by our access to water. In Montana where we rely on water for drinking, irrigation, and energy.

It's vitally important we pass this bill to try to avoid needless disruptions in service. There is no conflict or objection to this ``housekeeping'' matter, and its importance to the many impacted farmers and ranchers cannot be over-emphasized. I have worked hard to extend the contract in the past and look forward to passing this critical legislation today. As I said, it's a good idea.

I'm here to do what's best for Montana, and a good idea is a good idea regardless of who gets credit. That's why I'm up here today.

This is a good bill, and I hope my colleagues will join me in voting in favor of its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 997) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend a water contract between the United States and the East Bench Irrigation District.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 997, the East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension Act, extends the water contract between the United States and the East Bench Irrigation District in southwestern Montana until December 31, 2013, or until a new contract can be executed.

This bill allows for the continued irrigation of 28,000 acres of land which is important to that area's economy. It also preserves the district's renewal rights while a local matter is adjudicated at the State level. The bill will not influence the outcome of State actions.

S. 997 is supported by our colleague from Montana, Congressman Dennis Rehberg, and by the administration. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Water and Power. The hearing will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The purpose of the hearing will be to hear testimony on seven items:

S. 500, the South Utah Valley Electric Conveyance Act;

S. 715, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act;

S. 802, the Lake Thunderbird Efficient Use Act of 2011;

S. 997, the East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension Act;

S. 1033, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the city of Hermiston, Oregon, water recycling and reuse project, and for other purposes;

S. 1047, the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2011.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following items en bloc: Calendar No. 130, S. 271; Calendar No. 131, S. 278; Calendar No. 139, S. 535; Calendar No. 140, S. 683; Calendar No. 141, S. 684; Calendar No. 142, S. 808; Calendar No. 143, S. 897; and Calendar No. 145, S. 997.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that any committee- reported amendments relative to these bills be agreed to en bloc, where applicable; that the bills be read a third time and passed, as amended, if amended, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table for each of these measures, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the measures be printed in the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 997 was introduced by Senator Jon Tester in May of last year and passed the Senate in November 2011.

As my colleague mentioned, S. 997 would extend the East Bench Irrigation District's water contract for 4 years pending a judicial ruling. The administration has testified in support of S. 997 because it would allow for water service to the district to continue and allows for contract renewal while the court confirmation process is given time to be completed.

We thank Senator Jon Tester for his leadership, and we have no objections to this legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.