Scott Tipton

Increasing water storage is critical.

It's this generation's turn to recognize our Nation's growing water needs and to take steps to meet it.

This is not some new discovery. Yakima has been in need of additional water storage for many decades.

Conservation can and should play a role; however, it alone is not the answer.

I will continue to oppose these policies that change existing projects and their historical mission.

I firmly believe that America needs an 'all-of-the above' water supply strategy.

I think that is ultimately very important to be able to note, because this is just not a Forest Service water grab, it is a BLM water grab in the West.

So the Federal Government can just jump in, take your private property rights, take your water rights that you paid for, you have developed, with no compensation.

Would you concur that it is important at this time that we do pass that message, we do pass through Congress the--what is just your right, to be able to hang on to that private property water right that is so dear to the West?

I do not believe that the agencies are going to give up, because it has been an ongoing policy for decades to obtain the water.

H.R. 3189 grants no new rights to any party, nor does it in any way infringe on existing rights.

To use your quote, going back 20 years, this is not a new issue, it is time that we settle it.

Does that speak to the importance of the Water Rights Protection Act?

Does it disturb you that as you noted, Mr. Porzak, that there has been no authority granted by the Congress of the United States?

I truly appreciate your support for State rights and private property rights.

We would like to especially thank Colorado Congressmen Tipton and Polis, for working together to protect the rights of ski areas.

We very much support this bill and thank Congressmen Tipton and Polis in particular as Colorado Representatives and sponsors.

My hope is that today's hearing further strengthens the bipartisan efforts to be able to protect local water rights from the Federal Government and their overreach and takings.

We urge the House to pass this legislation without delay.

Their testimony supports my bill and indicates that more water storage is a long-term solution to the drought.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There is no compensation for the transfer of these privately held water rights, despite the fact that many stakeholders have invested millions of their own capital in developing them.

Recent Federal attempts to manipulate Federal permit lease and land management process to circumvent long-established State water law and hijack privately held water rights have sounded the alarm for all non-Federal water users that rely…

I would also like to thank Mr. Bishop, Mr. Amodei, Mrs. Lummis, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Coffman, and Mr. Polis, who have all joined in this bipartisan effort and continue to work with me to safeguard Western water rights.

So the people don't want it, the State doesn't want it, the private property owners don't want this, but the Federal Government, the BLM, the Forest Service, perhaps others are going to continue a policy of taking.