Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, prior to the designation of the Frank Church-River of No Return and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness areas in Idaho, private landowners received permits to maintain and repair water diversions on national forest land now included in those wilderness areas. Many of those permits have since expired, leaving those who own the water diversions without options for mechanically maintaining their water systems. The bill before us, H.R. 3538, would give the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue special use authorizations to owners of specific water storage, transport, or diversion facilities within these wilderness areas. The permits would only be issued if the owner can prove that the water facility meets certain criteria specified in the legislation. Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of H.R. 3538, and I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1445”