C.L. Otter: “today, we are debating H.R. 2563, a bill to provide broad authority for the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct feasibility…”

“today, we are debating H.R. 2563, a bill to provide broad authority for the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct feasibility studies of new and enhanced water storage opportunities on the Snake, Boise, and Payette Rivers in Idaho. I introduced this legislation and am working for its passage because I believe it is important to find new water resources rather than just dividing up the scarce resources we currently have. I have been told that consumptive demand in the Boise and Payette basins will increase by at least 135,000 acre feet over the next 20 years. Growing demand now is being met by increased ground water use and conservation efforts, but those are short-term responses that beg the question of future needs. We also know that most of the water supply in both basins already is allocated and there is little excess capacity to meet future demands. Further, the ability to capture and store additional water is limited by requirements for minimum fish flow, maintenance flows, flood control and annual refill of existing reservoirs. These factors make this undertaking difficult at best, but I believe it is worthwhile and necessary. Our communities, our economy and our families all depend on water to survive, grow and prosper. Deciding how to use such a rare commodity in a way that does the greatest good for the greatest number, while hewing to the principles of law and equity on which our society is based, is an enormous challenge.…”