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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE April 25, 2007 |
Contacts: Julie
Edwards (Nelson) - 202-224-5765 |
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“The Platte River recovery is absolutely critical to improving and maintaining habitat for threatened and endangered species while allowing water use and development along the Platte River. Our legislation will ensure that this plan is able to be fully implemented and we are pushing the Senate to act on it as soon as possible,” said Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson. “Today’s hearing of the Water and Power Subcommittee is an important first step and I’m pleased the committee leadership is giving the bill the attention it deserves.” “When a program is developed that protects water users’ rights and creates wildlife habitat protection it is a win-win for every one involved. The Platte River recovery plan does just that,” said Senator Salazar. “The program allows continued water use and development along the Platte that is critical to our farmers, ranchers and local communities and I am proud to support this sound conservation bill.” “This is a solid piece of common sense legislation; it will help protect the water rights of farmers and ranchers while also shielding them from the heavy hammer of the Endangered Species Act,” said Senator Allard. “I have been a longtime supporter of this type of program and this hearing gets us one step closer to seeing the good results of this policy on the ground.” “I applaud the Governors of Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado, the U.S. Department of Interior and local stakeholders for developing a plan that will improve the habitat of endangered species, and protect both existing and future water users along the Platte River. This is the kind of intra-state cooperation that will be necessary to address future water challenges in Nebraska and across the U.S. It is imperative for Congress to assist the states with the implementation of this Program by passing S.752,” Senator Hagel said. In late 2006 the Governors of Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming and the Department of Interior signed the final program agreement after working together since 1997 to develop a recovery plan that benefits certain species yet allows continued water use and development along the Platte. Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power heard testimony on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and Pathfinder Modification Authorization Act of 2007, S. 752. This is the first step before the committee votes on the bill. S. 752 will authorize the Secretary of Interior to proceed with the program and includes $157 million to carry it out. The cost will be shared 50/50 by the states and federal government. Through the program the states will provide benefits for the endangered and threatened species as well as land, water, and scientific monitoring and research to evaluate benefits of the program.
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