Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, this act reinforces our century-long system, working well in our States, where the States pass water law and administer State water law. State law is crucial in the West. For example, take how a ski area permit is supposed to work. The Forest Service issues a permit for the use of the land, but the water is administered in accordance with State water law. The water does not belong to the Federal Government. The headline here should be, ``Keep your mitts off our water.'' If the Federal Government wants water rights, it has to pay for them, or get in line, just like other citizens and businesses. But now, instead of waiting its turn or paying fair value, the Forest Service is demanding water rights as a condition of ski area permits. They are demanding the full value of water rights it had no role in developing. The Forest Service isn't just going after ski areas. It is targeting ranchers with grazing permits as well. The Federal Government claims it needs the water rights because the Federal Government knows best how to manage water for ski recreation and grazing. The reality is the Federal Government doesn't know best at all, and that is why States are in control of water law. Sound water management and conservation is necessary in the arid and semi-arid West, and the real work is done at the State and local level by individuals.…”