And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 14:11:35 -0600 From: Paul Robertson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.5 (Macintosh; I; PPC) Hello, Most of you probably know the good news, that the Mitigation Act was repealed by HR 2605 in the House of Representatives yesterday. A big struggle lies ahead to insure that this step can be followed up in a way that will make the crucial difference in conference committee between the house and senate. A copy of what John Thune (R, SD) had to say yesterday in the House and letter from Governor Janklow that Thune asked be inserted into Congressional Record follows: ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000 (House of Representatives - July 27, 1999) Mr. THUNE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. (Mr. THUNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. THUNE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak to section 505 of the bill. * Mr. Chairman, this provision would repeal Title VI, division C, of Public Law 105-277, Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1999. That provision, known as the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Act, would transfer lands along the Missouri River in South Dakota from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the tribes mentioned above as well as the State of South Dakota. The Act also would establish a fund to pay for wildlife habitats. * The Act is a major priority for South Dakota Governor William Janklow . The Governor has requested I submit a letter on this topic for the Record. I would like that letter from the Governor inserted at the conclusion of my statement. * The Act also has been the subject of much discussion for South Dakotans, and I have taken great interest in all comments on this issue. While I am aware of the concerns of some of my constituents over issues surrounding this Act, I share in the sentiments of many who support the objectives the Governor attempts to forward in this law. Because of the interest in this issue, I would like to see Section 505 stricken from the bill and hope the Act receives a full review and consideration in a conference committee between the House and Senate on this bill. * Mr. Chairman, I include a letter from the Governor in reference to this matter. STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, * William J. Janklow , Governor, Pierre, SD, July 27, 1999. * Hon. John Thune, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. * Dear Congressman Thune: I am writing to reaffirm my adamant support for Title VI, division C, of Public Law 105-277 (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration). As you know, the House version of the Energy and Water Development Appropriation repeals it. I hope you will do everything you can to remove the repeal language from the bill and appropriate $3 million for the project. * Please explain to your fellow members of Congress that if the new law is allowed to remain a law, it will reduce future federal tax dollar spending, provide more access for people to use the Missouri River for recreation and give both the state and the participating tribal governments the opportunity to receive benefits we didn't receive when four of the five Missouri River dams were built in South Dakota. * As you know, over 600,000 acres of South Dakota's best river bottom and river adjacent land were taken in the 1950s to create the huge reservoirs of water behind the four Missouri River dams in South Dakota. The water held in these reservoirs has already prevented billions of dollars worth of flood damage to Omaha, Kansas City, and many other cities on the Missouri River and Mississippi River. * Unfortunately, South Dakota is the only state in the Union which as never been allowed to do even a modest amount of development along our greatest river resource. That's been or history because the land immediately adjacent to the Missouri River is owned by the federal government and managed by the Corps of Engineers. We were promised developmental benefits, such as irrigation. But, it didn't happen. * Nebraska sacrificed no land for dams and reservoirs, but it has received federally funded irrigation for over six million areas. North Dakota has only one dam and reservoir, but it has over 300,000 acres of federally funded irrigated land. South Dakota is between those two states and has sacrificed excellent land for four dams and four reservoirs. But, our people have received less than 20,000 acres in federally funded irrigation and very few other benefits from our sacrifices to prevent downstream flooding.
