Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2030 will direct the Secretary of the Interior to immediately execute the drought contingency plan agreements. The drought contingency plan agreements will allow us to immediately respond to the historic drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin. These conditions pose a threat to the water supply of 40 million people, and 5.5 million acres of farmland. This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to immediately execute the drought contingency plan agreements since the actions to be undertaken are within the analyses and range of effects reviewed in existing environmental documents. These environmental documents include: Number 1, a 2007 final EIS on Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lakes Powell and Mead. Number 2, existing ESA documents for the Colorado River Storage Project Act initial storage unit reservoirs. Additional environmental compliance is only applicable should further Federal actions be undertaken that are outside the range of effects analyzed in the previously mentioned environmental documents. Mr. Speaker, that essentially means that the drought contingency plan agreements fit within the framework of existing environmental compliance. This compliance allows the Secretary of the Interior to immediately sign the drought contingency plan agreements.…”