WRRDA Conference Report

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I am joined by the chair and ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee to discuss section 1046 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act conference report, which we will vote on shortly in the Senate. I would like to thank the chair and ranking member for their
leadership on this important legislation and rise with them today to discuss the provision and address my concerns about the effects on Army Corps of Engineers' reservoirs in Texas.

It is important to remember that the long-term reliability of the Corps' multipurpose reservoirs remains a critical economic issue for many regions of our country. Cities, water districts, businesses, and other users depend on these reservoirs both for hydropower generation and to meet their larger water supply needs. That is especially true in arid States such as Texas.

Indeed, the reservoirs have helped our States--and many others--to mitigate the effects of serious droughts. For that matter, Texas suffered the most intense drought in recorded State history just a few years ago, and water levels at a number of reservoirs remain dangerously low. Statewide, reservoirs are only at 64 percent of their capacity, according to the Texas Water Development Board.

As one of America's fastest growing States, water supply management is becoming more and more important to individual Texans and their communities. Thankfully, local and State leaders have worked hard to devise effective strategies.

Similar to other States, Texas has very specific laws on water rights and environmental flows. Since 2007, we have had a legal process that provides for a basin-specific scientific assessment, a formal review, and then recommendations by interested stakeholders. The State government oversees this process by working with stakeholders to balance environmental flow needs with other public interests, such as water needs.

It is crucial to understand that the water stored in these reservoirs belongs to Texas and has been allocated to users in accordance with Federal and State law. It is also crucial to understand that the non-Federal sponsors of the reservoirs pay for storage, operations, and maintenance. Any changes to the operations that affect the authorized purposes of the reservoirs should never be made without their involvement.

Section 1046(a) in the conference report requires the Corps to update its operations of reservoirs report, and to include a plan for reviewing the operations of individual projects, including a detailed schedule for future reviews of project operations. In carrying out these reviews, the Corps must coordinate with the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, along with any public and private entities that could be affected.

Going forward, during the deliberations over a project-specific review, the Secretary must carefully weigh the use of limited Federal operations and maintenance funding and may accept funds from other agencies or non-Federal entities if necessary.

Furthermore, the Secretary must ensure that all recommendations offered at the conclusion of the review, one, do not impinge on State water rights; two, are consistent with State water plans, and, three, do not affect any authority of a State to manage water resources within that State.

The language is explicit: It does not change the authorized purpose of any Corps dam or reservoir, and the Secretary may only carry out recommendations and activities pursuant to existing law. Let me repeat: There is no new authority to modify reservoir operations granted to the Corps of Engineers.

Of course, the Secretary has always had the authority to review the operations of these reservoirs and to improve their efficiency. As they undertake these reviews and carry out activities, this conference report language is clear that all authorized project purposes are maintained.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source