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Goleta Water Distribution System Conveyance Act of 2008

Floor Speech

Date: May 19, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment Natural Resources

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Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3323, the Goleta Water Distribution System Conveyance Act of 2007--a bill I introduced last year that would authorize the title transfer of a federally owned water distribution system in my congressional district from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Goleta Water District.

First, I want to thank the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Mr. RAHALL, and chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, Ms. NAPOLITANO, as well as the ranking members of the full Committee and Subcommittee for bringing H.R. 3323 before us today.

The purpose of the legislation is to simplify the operation and maintenance of the District's water distribution system and eliminate unnecessary paperwork and consultation between the District and the Bureau.

The Goleta Water District has operated and maintained the facilities proposed for transfer since the 1950s. They have worked through all requirements of the Bureau's title transfer process, including public meetings, fulfillment of their repayment obligations, completion of an environmental assessment, and compliance with all other applicable laws.

The only step remaining to complete the process is an act of Congress enabling the Secretary of the Interior to transfer title.

It is important to note that the proposed transfer would apply only to lands and facilities associated with the District and would not affect the District's existing water service contract with the Santa Barbara County Water Agency nor the Federal government receipts from water deliveries under the contract. In addition, the proposed transfer does not envision any new physical modification or expansion of the service infrastructure.

I'm pleased the administration is supporting my legislation, which will allow the Bureau to focus its limited resources where they are needed most. In my view, this is an example of local problem-solving at its best. I commend the staff of the water district and the Bureau for their efforts to reach this agreement. I know that they have been working on this for several years now.

Again, I would like to thank the Natural Resources Committee for supporting this bill, and urge its immediate passage.

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