Doc Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 634 is a closed rule waiving all points of order against H.R. 4656, the conveyance of certain forest service land in the Lake Tahoe Basin and against its consideration. The rule provides 1 hour of debate to be equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instruction. H.R. 4656 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey for fair market value approximately 8.7 acres of Federal land in the Lake Tahoe Basin to the Washoe County District for use as an elementary school site. The bill provides that the land may be used only for this purpose and that it would revert back to the Federal Government if used for any other purpose. The bill was introduced by my friend, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and was considered by the House on October 10, 2000. Although the bill was supported by a considerable majority in the House, it failed to receive the two-thirds necessary for passage under the suspension of the rules. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that enactment of H.R. 4656 would have no significant impact on the Federal budget. Because the bill would affect direct spending, pay-as- you-go procedures would apply. However, CBO estimates that such effects would be less than $500,000 per year. H.R. 4656 does not contain any intergovernmental or private sector mandates as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purposes of debate only. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 634 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2951. This legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to investigate opportunities to better manage the water resources in the Salmon Creek watershed of the upper Columbia River. The purpose of the study is to explore ways to improve salmon migration while maintaining irrigation for area farms. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is very similar to my legislation passed by the House and Senate earlier this year to study the potential benefits of replacing water currently removed from the Yakima River with water drawn from the Columbia River in order to benefit salmon. These two pieces of legislation highlight our commitment to saving the salmon in Central Washington without tearing down our dams and destroying our way of life. This common sense legislation is a locally derived solution that will greatly improve habitat and salmon survival while respecting historic water rights in my district. Salmon Creek is a tributary of the Okanogan River in my district in Central Washington. During irrigation season, water is released from the reservoirs to provide water needed by local farms. However, the diversion of the creek waters causes approximately 4.3 miles of Salmon Creek to dry up during the later months of the irrigation season. This creek has historically provided habitat for several threatened and endangered salmon species. The Okanogan Irrigation District in Okanogan County, Washington and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have worked together to study and develop a series of projects to restore natural fish runs in Salmon Creek while protecting irrigation for over 5000 acres of orchards and farms. As a result of this collaborative effort, the Okanogan Irrigation District and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have developed a proposal that would move the intake system for the Okanogan Irrigation District from Salmon Creek to the Okanogan River. These projects, which are frequently referred to as ``pump exchanges,'' allow irrigation districts to terminate withdrawals from over appropriated rivers and streams and secure water from more abundant rivers further downstream from the initial intake point. This legislation authorizes the study of both the pump exchange and other irrigation improvements that could return as much as 11,000 acre feet of water to Salmon Creek. The bill would limit the federal government's share of the total cost of the feasibility study to 50 percent, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing S. 2951 would cost about $250,000 in fiscal year 2001. The Administration testified in favor of this legislation during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. This feasibility study offers Okanogan County residents hope for the protection and improvement of what is left of their hard-hit economy. More than 262 jobs have been lost in the Okanogan Basin in recent months due to declines in the forest products industry. Additionally, falling apple prices have resulted in the loss of 80 jobs from the recent closure of an apple packing facility in Tonasket, Washington. This is compounded by the possibility that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will shut down irrigation facilities, as they have elsewhere in my district, due to inadequate stream flow in local rivers and creeks for endangered fish species. As more than 5000 acres of orchards and fields are served by the Okanogan Irrigation District, an irrigation shutdown would be devastating. Once again, I thank you for this opportunity to express my support for authorizing this essential fish restoration study provided in S. 2951. I commend the Okanogan Irrigation District and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for their proactive approach to restoring salmon and steelhead populations and maintaining water deliveries to irrigators. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense local solution to improve the water resources in Salmon Creek.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise in support of the rule and in strong support of the underlying legislation that will authorize spending for our Nation's military and spending for the Department of Energy's nuclear sites. This legislation represents a great leap forward in our Nation's military, and I would like to especially congratulate the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for their great effort over the past 6 years to ensure that our Nation's military is the best prepared in the world. It is only appropriate that this legislation before us today bears the name of our colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence). Mr. Speaker, I would like to focus specifically on one provision that I am especially pleased was included in the final conference report. In the 1999 National Defense Authorization Act, the Congress created the Office of River Protection to manage the Nation's largest environmental cleanup project, which is in my district. The River Protection project is charged with the safe cleanup and vitrification of 54 million gallons of highly radioactive liquid waste that is stored in 177 underground storage tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in central Washington. Over one-third of these tanks have leaked over a million gallons to the ground, which could potentially endanger the Columbia River and the salmon populations within the Hanford Reach. The Office of River Protection was established to provide a streamlined management structure that would manage the program primarily at the site to allow for quick decisions and to cut through the DOE bureaucracy that too often impedes cleanup projects. Specifically, the head of the Office of River Protection was charged with managing all aspects of the River Protection project and was to report directly to the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management. Unfortunately, DOE headquarters has not followed the intent of this 1999 legislation and continues to micromanage the Office of River Protection. This micromanagement has contributed to unprecedented frustration among the stakeholders, the State of Washington, other Federal agencies, Congress, and certainly the Tri-Cities communities that I represent. This year's defense authorization bill contains an amendment I offered in conference to clarify the role of the head of the Office of River Protection. The amendment clearly states that the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management shall delegate in writing responsibility for the Office of River Protection to the head of that office. Such delegation shall, at a minimum, include authorities from contracting, financial management, safety, and general program management equivalent to the authorities of other operations offices of the Department of Energy. This delegation must be completed and submitted to Congress within 30 days. I want to make it very clear, Mr. Speaker, to the Department of Energy that Congress has taken this step because of our continuing concerns with the micromanagement of the office. It is time to put an end to this. I expect the Department to immediately provide the necessary authority to the head of the office for budgeting, contracting, and staffing. Further, I believe the Department must transfer the regulatory unit, now under the management of the Richland Operation Office, to the head of the Office of River Protection, to comply with this legislation. Now is the time for the Department to recognize the unique mission that Congress has provided to the Office of River Protection and to assist, not hinder, the office to its completion of this vital project. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would not have been possible without the support of the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) and others that were on the conference. I also want to thank specifically the staff, Pete Berry and Steve Thompson, for assisting my office in working through this legislation. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the author of this bill, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 610 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 610 is an open rule waiving all points of order against the consideration of H.R. 2941, a bill to establish the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in the State of Arizona. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate to be equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources. The rule makes in order as an original bill for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 1, which shall be open for amendment at any point. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule also authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule further allows the chairman of the Committee on the Whole to postpone votes during the consideration of the bill and to reduce voting time to 5 minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a 15-minute vote. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. H.R. 2941, a bill introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), establishes the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in parts of Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties in Arizona. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan for the 42,000 acre area which will conserve, protect, and enhance its resources and values. Mr. Speaker, this legislation also authorizes the Secretary to purchase or exchange necessary acreage for the conservation area from willing sellers, both individuals and from the State of Arizona. The bill preserves a significant amount of land that is home to an important cross-section of plants and wildlife. It also creates 142,000-plus acre planning district that is an important first step towards providing a biological corridor from the north of Tucson to Mexico for animal movements that are necessary for the long-term viability of some species. In addition, two of southern Arizona's perennial streams, the Cienega Creek and the Babocamari River, would be protected by this legislation, ensuring a long-term sustainable riparian area. Land will also be available for human use in ranching, hunting, and recreation. H.R. 2941 was reported by unanimous consent by the Committee on Resources on September 20, 2000. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule, House Resolution 610, and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen). (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the subcommittee chairman for the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule so we can get on with this process. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young). (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan). (Mr. CALLAHAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin).

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining on both sides?

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), distinguished chairman of the Committee on Resources. (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 603 is a rule waiving all points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 4578, the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2001, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read. The Interior conference report appropriates $18.8 billion in new fiscal year 2001 budget authority, which is $3.9 billion more than the House passed and $2.5 billion above the President's request. Approximately half of this funding, $8.4 billion finances Interior Department programs to manage and study the Nation's animal, plant and mineral resources and to support Indian programs. Among the Interior agencies receiving increases in this conference report are the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Minerals Management Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. The balance of the measure's funds support other non-Interior agencies that carry out related functions. These include the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture, conservation and fossil programs run by the Department of Energy as well as the Smithsonian Institution and similar cultural organizations. Notably, the bill includes increased funding $300 million above the President's request, for wildfire readiness, wildfire suppression and the rehabilitation of areas damaged by wildfires this summer. Finally, I am particularly pleased that the bill appropriates $5 million to be used solely for the reduction of the national debt. Mr. Speaker, although many Members, myself included, have concerns about certain sections of the bill, overall this is a responsible and balanced conference agreement. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the Interior conference report itself. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 603 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington

Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Packard for his commitment to fully fund the Office of River Protection and include increases in many vital Hanford cleanup projects in my district. The Office of River Protection is a congressionally created office in the Department of Energy that is responsible for ``managing all aspects'' of the River Protection Project, the world's largest and most challenging environmental cleanup project. The $377 million in total available funds the conference report provides for the River Protection Project Vitrification facility and $383 million for the tank feed delivery and tank farm operation portion is critical to ensure that the project remains on schedule. The conference report will also allow for the continued timely placement of eight retired plutonium reactors along the Columbia River at the Hanford site, into an interim safe storage (ISS) mode. The continuation of the accelerated schedule funding will allow these reactors to be cocooned by the end of FY 2003, 6 years ahead of schedule saving the American taxpayer more than $14 million. $950,000 of this increase will go directly to ensuring the preservation of the world's first nuclear reactor, The B reactor, which I hope to see opened one day as a museum. I also support the additional $12 million for the successful cleanup of the Spent Fuel Project in the K-basins and the additional $7 million provided for the stabilization of plutonium at the Plutonium Finishing Plant included in the conference report. The Spent Nuclear Fuel Project is a first of its project the will safely move 2,100 metric tons of irradiated nuclear fuel away from the Columbia River beginning this November. The additional $7 million for the PFP will allow current operations allowing for the continued disposition of over 1800 metric tons of Uranium as well as the deactivation of highly radioactive hot cell facilities. Further, I appreciate the Committee's support of $720,000 for the Pasco Shoreline Rivershore project. These dollars are necessary to initiate and complete plans and begin construction on this vital project. I also appreciate the committee's support of language to ensure that no cleanup funds will be diverted from the Hanford site for the implementation of the Hanford Reach National Monument. While many in my community are split on the issue of a National Monument all of us agree that cleanup at Hanford must not be affected by this decision. Finally, I want to thank Chairman Packard for his excellent work throughout his tenure in Congress and especially his time as chairman of this important subcommittee. America is truly a better place because of his work and his leadership will be truly missed by all of us.