Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act introduced by my colleague from Utah (Mr. Curtis). The Colorado River is, of course, one of the American West's national treasures, but it is also a vital source of fresh water for 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland across seven States and Mexico. {time} 1545 These communities rely on this river for water that is essential to their livelihoods. Agriculture and natural leaching can lead to the rising levels of salinity that threaten the water quality of these communities and the amount of water available to be used for hydropower generation. Congress recognized the crucial need to limit the river's salinity in 1974 when it passed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, which authorized a desalting complex, and by passing further amendments to establish a basin-wide salinity control project. For years, these actions have helped maintain the salinity content within the river. The problem of salinity now, however, has been significantly intensified by continually worsening drought conditions, which have limited hydropower generation and, in turn, the funds made available for salinity control programs. This bill before us today prompts us to once again take action to preserve the water quality in the Colorado River.…”