Chuck Hagel: “I rise to support the Crapo amendment to strike the proposed Water Conservation Program from the farm bill that we are…”

“I rise to support the Crapo amendment to strike the proposed Water Conservation Program from the farm bill that we are debating today on the Senate floor. The creation of the Water Conservation Program, as proposed in this current legislation, would set a very dangerous farm policy precedent. It would open the door to federal government infringement on state water rights. There would be many unintended consequences for the nation's agricultural producers--the people we are trying to assist today. This provision is a threat to private property rights and conflicts with individual state water laws and programs. As Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns said: To tie state-administered water rights into such a program creates another federal nexus whereby the federal government can leverage water away from our agricultural producers and water users permanently. . . . Nebraska simply cannot agree to any such program. Governor Johanns clearly identified the dangers of the current legislation. All states care about water conservation and wildlife protection. For example, the State of Nebraska is currently working with Wyoming and Colorado, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to craft a Cooperative Agreement for endangered species management on the Platte River. States do not need more federal dictates and regulation.”