Russ Feingold: “I recognize there are strong feelings on this project and deep divisions in the region. I say to the junior Senator from…”

“I recognize there are strong feelings on this project and deep divisions in the region. I say to the junior Senator from Colorado, we must honor our commitment to this tribe. The question is how to honor the commitment. This project was first authorized in 1968. As I understand it, it had little or nothing to do at that time with the issue of water for the native American tribe. Three decades later, it has not been built. Realistically, my colleagues, it will never be built. It is not economically or fiscally feasible that we keep spending money on it. There are legitimate Indian needs that should be addressed and have to be addressed. Remember, only one-third of the water concerned here will go to native American tribes; two-thirds goes to others. Yet, there are substantial questions, in the end, under this project, that the tribes in consideration here will be able to obtain the water. This project is dead. Let us return to the drawing board and scale this down so it can meet our commitment without wasting substantial taxpayer dollars.”