House Passes Newhouse Legislation to Transfer Kennewick Irrigation District Title

Statement

Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 358 to 1 approved federal legislation he introduced, H.R. 6652, to transfer title of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) related works and lands to the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). In accordance with the December 2017 Memorandum of Agreement between KID and BOR, this legislation will transfer title of works beginning at KID's head gate and extending 40 miles east to the Columbia River. The transfer includes the conveyance of land and project facilities and should be completed no later than two years after the enactment. The legislation must now be approved by the Senate.

"Local resources should be responsively managed by local entities wherever possible, and that's what my legislation will ensure on behalf of the Kennewick Irrigation District," said Rep. Newhouse. "This is a big improvement for Central Washington water users, and I'm proud that the House passed my bill. I urge my Senate colleagues to act before the end of the year so that this legislation can be signed into law."

Background:

H.R. 6652 conveys title for the facilities managed and operated by Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). It does not privatize federal water projects or properties within the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).
KID will complete an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as all necessary Endangered Species Act, National Historical Preservation Act, and hazardous review processes.
KID and BOR have committed to ensuring that all stakeholders, tribal concerns, and local interests have a seat at the table throughout the process.
In addition to ensuring the proper reviews are completed, KID will repay their allocated share of construction costs to the federal government.

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