John Doolittle: “I rise in support of H.R. 2292, a bill to preserve the Hanford reach of the Columbia River and for other purposes. Mr.…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2292, a bill to preserve the Hanford reach of the Columbia River and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, this is good bi-partisan legislation which provides for the preservation and improved management of important rivers throughout the country. Title I, authored by Mr. Hastings, of the bill provides for permanent protection of the last free-flowing section of the Columbia River which support native salmon spawning beds. In 1988, Congress enacted legislation to prohibit damming and dredging of this river segment for 8 years while directing the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan for future management of this river segment. While Secretary Babbitt has yet to send us the required study, the moratorium on damming and dredging is about to expire and therefore it is important for Congress to renew this moratorium in perpetuity. I applaud the gentleman from Washington, [Mr. Hastings], for his effort to preserve the Hanford Reach.”