Wayne Allard: “it is with much excitement and anticipation that I, along with Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave in the House of…”

“it is with much excitement and anticipation that I, along with Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave in the House of Representatives, introduce legislation known as ``The Arkansas Valley Conduit.'' This bill will ensure the expedited construction of a pipeline that will provide the small, financially strapped towns and water agencies along the Arkansas River with safe, clean, affordable water. By creating a Federal-Local cost share to help offset the costs of constructing the Conduit, this legislation will protect the future of Southeastern Colorado. First introduced during the 107th Session of Congress and subsequently in the 108th, we have redrafted the legislation for the 109th Session to create a stronger stand-alone bill. Congresswoman Musgrave and I have worked hard to craft it so that it meets the needs of a region of Colorado that has suffered from decades of inadequate drinking water supplies. On the heels of one of the worst droughts in Colorado history, the Conduit will provide a dependable source of water to communities--water that will allow these communities to grow and prosper. By way of background, the Arkansas Valley Conduit was originally authorized by Congress forty years ago as a part of the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project. Due to the authorizing statute's lack of a cost share provision and Southeastern Colorado's depressed economic status, the Conduit was never built.…”