Political Quotes

“The Deschutes Resources Conservancy was authorized in 1996 as a 5-year pilot project designed to achieve local consensus for projects to improve the ecosystem health in the Deschutes River Basin. The existing authorization provides up to $1 million through the Bureau of Reclamation each year for projects. Projects funded through the Conservancy demonstration include: piping for irrigation district delivery systems to prevent water loss; securing water rights for instream flows to secure Squaw Creek habitat; providing fencing of riparian areas to project riverbanks; working with private timberland owners to restore riparian and wetland areas; and seeking donated water rights to enhance instream flows in the Deschutes River Basin. Mr. Speaker, the bill would reauthorize the 5-year pilot project from 2002 to 2006 and increase the authorization ceiling to $2 million annually. Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent piece of legislation. It is a great group that puts a lot of hard work into these projects, and I would encourage my colleagues to support its reauthorization.”