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Lower Republican River Basin Study Act

Floor Speech

Date: May 7, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Natural Resources


LOWER REPUBLICAN RIVER BASIN STUDY ACT -- (House of Representatives - May 07, 2007)

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Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. I thank the gentleman for yielding me time and bringing this bill forward today.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1025 would authorize one of the requirements of the Republican River Compact Settlement negotiated between the States of Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado and approved by the Supreme Court in 2003. It is not only necessary to ensure the States remain in compliance with this agreement, but to make certain the agriculture, industrial and domestic use of the water is carried out in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

The Lower Republican River Basin Study will examine how to better utilize opportunities to increase water storage in the river basin. I am hopeful the results of this study will lead to an increase in water availability while we continue to encourage more efficient water use.

As many of you know, especially those from the Midwest, the current water shortage has made this a very critical issue for my congressional district. So if we can, through this study, allocate more water, allocate water more effectively, it will help farmers, ranchers, municipalities both in Nebraska and Kansas in the long term.

I want to thank Mr. Rahall, Mr. Young, and the Natural Resources Committee staff for bringing forth this bill. I appreciate the cooperation on both sides of the aisle. I urge Members of Congress to approve this legislation.

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