November 06, 2007 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Sali says President Bush was wrong to veto of a bill containing important water infrastructure projects for Idaho. Sali voted Tuesday to override the veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, H.R. 1495, which contains several projects that Sali worked to get for Idaho. The bill passed 361-54, more than the two-thirds necessary to override the veto.

The bill contains five projects that Sali worked to secure for Idaho.

“I have been a strong supporter of President Bush’s vetoing bills that would expand government healthcare, set guidelines for troop withdraw and allow embryonic stem cell research. But I disagree with the President on his veto of the Water Resources Development Act. There has been no funding for these projects since 2000.  As a result, this bill finally deals with the growing backlog of legitimate and long overdue projects that are important to Idaho and to our nation. This bill will directly benefit our agriculture and recreation industries and enhance our ability to effectively and responsibly manage this limited resource in our growing state,” Sali said.

H.R. 1495 authorizes the following Idaho projects:

• Boise River General Investigation Study – The Boise River General Investigation will complement ongoing efforts by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) and other state and local entities to formulate and implement to address and plan for important water management issues in the Boise River Valley.  Complementary areas of concern to be studied through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) General Investigation include the impact of growth on flooding and on the Valley’s water resources.

• Dworshak Reservoir Improvements ($5.3 million) – The funding would help make recreational improvements at the dam, including houseboat moorage, extended boat ramps, lower elevation vehicular parking, campground upgrades, improved fishing access, mechanized lift at the Big Eddy Marina, potable water and electricity improvements at the marina, marina wave protection, boat access to the visitor center, boat ramp docks and other water access improvements, improved toilets at boat-in campsites, and sign replacements.

• Port of Lewiston Development – The legislation eliminates land use restrictions at the Port of Lewiston. The Port of Lewiston requires the flexibility to consider recreational and commercial opportunities as possible tenants for this site.

• Riley Creek RAMP/Albeni Falls Dam ($600,000) – The Riley Creek Recreation Area is located on a peninsula on the north shore of the Lake Pend Oreille and is approximately 40 acres in size.  The site has more than 70 campsites and 47 picnic tables, and averages 35,000 visitor days during the May-September season.  The money will be used to improve modernizing campsites, renovating the gatehouse, and improving restroom/shower houses, boat docks, boat ramps, fishing piers, and picnic shelters.

• Fish Creek Dam ($6 million) –  The money would be used for repairs to Fish Creek Dam, located near Carey, Idaho. The dam was constructed in 1919 through 1922 with private funds. It is the only method area farmers have to provide their necessary irrigation water.
irrigation water.