Senate OKs water bill in 81-12 vote
$61 million could go to rural Utah projects
The measure, passed by the House earlier this year, was approved 81-12. It now goes to President Bush, who threatened a veto after the bill's anticipated cost ballooned by $9 billion as projects were added in negotiations between the House and Senate.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the legislation provides nearly $61 million for water projects in rural Utah, with $10.8 million for water-related infrastructure needs in Duchesne, Iron and Uintah counties.
It authorizes a study on the feasibility of tapping the Spanish Valley Aquifer to meet growing water needs in Moab and the rest of Grand County.
It also authorizes a study to help reduce the flooding threat of the Santa Clara River in Washington, Iron and Kane counties, he said.
"Despite the fact that Utah is a desert, the people in its southwestern corner have always had to cope with the dangers of flooding," Hatch said. "As the area's population and economy have grown, local leaders have worked hard to keep pace with adequate flood protection projects. It's a difficult and expensive process, so I appreciate that the Senate is providing support."
"He knows it's going to be overridden," said Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., a leading supporter of the widely popular measure that would give a green light — if money is approved — to hundreds of water projects in virtually every state.
"These programs are necessary," insisted Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who rejected arguments by opponents that the legislation is stocked with unneeded pet projects pushed by individual lawmakers.
"This makes a substantial commitment to protecting our nation's wetlands, navigation routes and recreation opportunities. It is crucial to our country's economy," said Boxer at a news conference after the vote.
The legislation authorizes $3.6 billion for major wetlands and other coastal restoration, flood control and dredging projects for Louisiana, a state where coastal erosion and storms have resulted in the disappearance of huge areas of land.
The bill also includes nearly $2 billion for the restoration of the Florida Everglades, and nearly $2 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers to build seven new locks on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
While these projects may be the most ambitious, the bill would give the go-ahead for hundreds of smaller dredging, wetlands restoration and flood control projects across the country. One senator after another called the projects critical for their respective states.
Recent comments
Wow, it looks like one of those old pork barrel bills that we used...
Douglas | Sept. 27, 2007 at 6:26 p.m.
Bush veto a spending bill? I don't get it. I thought he wanted...
Craig | Sept. 25, 2007 at 7:42 a.m.
