John Chenoweth: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1663, introduced by the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle], clarifies the intent of Congress in…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1663, introduced by the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle], clarifies the intent of Congress in Public Law 93-632 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to provide for the maintenance of 18 concrete and rock impoundment facilities. These structures were located in the Emigrant Wilderness area at the time the wilderness area was designated as wilderness in that public law, and they need to be properly maintained. Additionally, it should be noted for the record that the maintenance of the dams and weirs will be done in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. It is not the intention of the author nor of the committee to allow for motorized vehicles to be used to maintain these structures. I would like to commend the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle] for his work on bringing this measure to the House. This is a good bill. It protects the interests of the constituents of the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle] while at the same time it preserves the intent of the original law that created the Emigrant Wilderness area. I urge Members to support this bill.”