Rob Bishop: “of all of the water-related bills that the Resources Committee has discussed, in my opinion this is still the best dam…”

“of all of the water-related bills that the Resources Committee has discussed, in my opinion this is still the best dam bill that we have, which would expand the growth of the Arthur Watkins Dam and Willard Bay. Yesterday the Science Committee produced several bills that came to this body to try and help with the issue of drought. That was the purpose of this bay and dam in 1957 when it was produced, to make sure that we can provide adequate water resources for agriculture, and the growing population in the State of Utah. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member, and specifically the staff and the subcommittee chairman for bringing this bill to the floor, and to fulfill my commitment to the majority leader, I promised as soon as we passed this bill to get a haircut, no later than Tuesday of next week. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3626, the Arthur V. Watkins Dam Enlargement Act of 2005. In terms of water-related bills, this is one of the best dam bills the Committee on Resources has considered this year. H.R. 3626 will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study which will consider enlarging the Arthur V. Watkins dam. In my home county of Box Elder, Utah, this facility is better known as Willard Bay. Willard Bay is a popular recreation facility, drawing in outdoor enthusiasts from all over Utah. It is known for its great fishing, water skiing and beaches.”