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Document 14 of 79.

April 4, 2000, Tuesday

SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 3003 words

HEADLINE: PREPARED TESTIMONY OF MR. BABBITT SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

BEFORE THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

BODY:
I am pleased to appear before you today with Eluid Martinez, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, in support of the President's fiscal year 2001 budget for Reclamation and for implementation of the Central Utah Project Completion Act.

The Department's 2001 request for appropriations is $9.2 billion, an increase of $979.9 million above the amounts provided in 2000. An estimated $2.2 billion will be provided in permanent appropriations. The request for appropriations includes $841.0 million, an increase of $33.8 million, for programs funded in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.

The Department's 2001 budget is a visionary budget that is designed to benefit all Americans with a focus on three areas: enhancing opportunities for Native Americans; protecting great places and building stronger communities through Lands Legacy; and taking care of what we have. I'd like to take a few minutes to tell you about these initiatives, before turning to the requests before this Subcommittee.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S 2001 BUDGET

The First Americans: Stewardship, Investment, Hope - The President's July 1999 visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and his imperative to "begin this new century by honoring our historic responsibility to empower the first Americans", signaled a commitment to support Indian self-determination and the government-to-government relationship with Indian Nations. The 2001 Budget proposes $9.4 billion across the government for Native American programs, including $2.2 billion for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, an increase of $331.9 million or 18 percent.

The Federal government has responsibility for the education of over 50,000 Indian children. BIA operates 185 day and boarding schools, many of which are located on remote and isolated reservations. BIA's 2001 request includes $300.5 million for education construction, repair, and maintenance programs, an increase of 126 percent over 2000. The budget also includes $506.6 million for operation of schools, an increase of $39.7 million over 2000. These increases are needed to replace and repair facilities that have serious health and safety deficiencies, and to provide Indian children with the basic resources that are critical to learning.

The budget also provides increases for priorities identified by the Tribes themselves, including safe communities; In 1997, we worked with Attorney General Reno and tribal leaders to develop a four-year initiative to combat rising crime rates in Indian Country. As a result of this initiative, we are seeing real progress. Over the past two years, BIA and the Department of Justice have hired additional officers and investigators, and are replacing dilapidated detention centers, strengthening tribal court systems, and improving programs for at-risk children. The 2001 budget for BIA includes an increase of $18.8 million to continue this initiative, while Justice is requesting an increase of $81.8 million to support tribal law enforcement programs.

Early in this Administration, I made a commitment to resolve the decades-old trust management issue and promised to fix it on my watch. Our 2000 request for the Office of the Special Trustee (OST) was fully funded, and as a result we are making progress in implementing much- needed reform efforts. The 2001 request for OST includes $58.4 million to continue these ongoing improvements, and $12.5 million to expand the Indian Land Consolidation program. We also encourage Congress to pass proposed legislation to resolve Indian land ownership fractionation, one of the root causes of trust management problems. In addition, the 2001 request includes $35.1 million in increases for BIA to make permanent and lasting changes to its trust management functions, including real estate services, probate, and land title and records programs.

I should also note that Reclamation's 2001 budget includes $116.3 million for projects and programs that benefit Indians. In particular, the request includes $16.0 million to implement the recently enacted Rocky Boy's Indian Water Rights Settlement in Montana, and $22.6 million to accelerate construction of the distribution system that will deliver Central Arizona Project water to the Gila River Indian Community.

Lands Legacy - One of America's most cherished icons, President Theodore Roosevelt, understood the compelling need for land protection and embraced a visionary, long-term approach to conservation that led to creation of the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island in Florida and designation of the Grand Canyon as a National Monument. President Roosevelt believed that we must work together to leave "an even better land for our descendents than it is for us."

The first step in creating a legacy for our children is the identification and protection of pristine peaks, unspoiled beaches, and verdant prairies. Not surprisingly, many of our prized parks, refuges, public lands, coastal and wildlife habitats, and open spaces that provide recreation and other benefits for local communities are now at the borders of suburbia and being impacted by encroaching development. In many of these places we have a one-time opportunity to preserve the matchless wonders of nature before they are degraded or fall victim to development. We are fortunate to have within our grasp the right economic conditions and public support to take action - now.

Will Rogers said it best: "Invest in land - they're not making any more."

In 2001, the President's Lands Legacy Initiative builds on our 2000 achievements and expands efforts to preserve America's great places. The 2001 budget includes $1.4 billion for Lands Legacy government- wide, and $735.0 million for the Department's programs. A new budget category is proposed to provide dedicated, protected discretionary funding for this initiative.

The 2001 budget requests $450.0 million for Federal acquisition of land or interests in land, including $320.0 million for acquisition programs in the Department. Funds will be used to complete purchases in the California desert and continue acquisition of Civil War battlefields, the Florida Everglades, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Northern Forest. In addition, the 2001 budget requests funding for the New York - New Jersey watershed where acquisition will protect the last vestiges of wetlands and uplands that serve as stopover sites for migratory birds and buffer refuges from the impacts of rapidly growing suburbs. Proposed acquisitions in the Lower Mississippi Delta will protect areas that are rich in cultural, historical and ecological values, and vital to our continued efforts to restore wildlife and fisheries. In Southern California acquisition will protect unique ecosystem types, endangered species, archeological finds and fossil deposits; and expand access to recreational opportunities and outstanding scenery.

As we continue land and easement acquisitions to safeguard our national parks, refuges, and public lands, we must also be attentive to the needs for open space in our own backyards. The public is demanding that we tend to the small parcels and pockets of open space that provide recreational opportunities, reduce suburban sprawl, and revitalize urban areas.

In New Jersey, voters have been able to secure a multi-year commitment for funds to acquire these important green spaces and are looking for partnership commitment from the Federal government. The 2001 budget includes $150.0 million for State Conservation Grants. Using these grants, communities will leverage resources and acquire open spaces and develop outdoor recreation areas.

In addition, the Department's 2001 request for the Lands Legacy Initiative includes the following components: $20.0 million for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery program to create and renew close-to-home recreation opportunities that strengthen economically distressed urban communities and positively impact at-risk youth and the safety of our cities. Grants will be provided to local governments that will leverage funding from other public and private sources, building local support and commitment for the protection and management of neighborhood parks. $65.0 million for grants to states and local governments to conserve species through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund. This program provides communities with flexible approaches and resources to use in resolving the conflicting demands caused by economic growth, increasing population, and declining habitat - including the development of Habitat Conservation Plans, candidate conservation agreements, safe harbor agreements, and other means. $30.0 million for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund to restore breeding grounds, resting and over-wintering areas for waterfowl and migratory species and wetland dependent wildlife. In combination with partnership contributions, this request translates into a minimum of $60 million in wetlands restoration projects and associated benefits. $100.0 million for a Non-Game Wildlife Grants program to provide funds to States, Tribes, and territories for activities that will conserve and restore non-game species, including planning, monitoring and conducting inventories, restoring habitat, acquiring land, and increasing opportunities for recreation. This program will address non-game species protection and restoration needs that have not been addressed through existing programs, and will respond to public demand for increased access to non-game recreational opportunities.

- $50.0 million in the U.S. Geological Survey budget for a State Planning Partnerships program, which will provide State and local decision-makers and Federal resource managers with geospatial data, earth science information, and tools such as Geographic Information Systems. The Department is committed to providing relevant science to decision-makers at all levels of government and strengthening their ability to protect valuable natural resources, identify optimal lands for acquisition, design effective land use and development strategies, develop efficient transportation systems, and mitigate natural hazards.

Taking Care of What We Have - During my tenure as Secretary, we have worked diligently to strengthen and rebuild the operational programs of the Department's land management bureaus in order to take care of what we have and uphold our responsibility for stewardship of the land, natural resources, and facilities.

Since 1993, despite budget cutbacks and limitations on discretionary appropriations, the operating accounts of the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management have grown by a total of $851.1 million, or 43 percent. This compares to a 19 percent growth for all appropriations for the Department in this same time period. These funding increases have been focused on improving the delivery of programs to the public and not on building a bureaucracy. We have maximized efficiency by working collaboratively with our partners, encouraging volunteerism, and holding Federal staffing to the minimum required.

The 2001 budgets for these three land management bureaus continue this theme of taking care of what we have by proposing increases totaling $214.3 million. Funding is targeted to address operational needs, resolution of specific land management issues, and repair and rehabilitation of facilities.

Similarly, providing adequate funding for the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of its facilities continues to be one of Reclamation's highest priorities. The 2001 request includes an increase of $29.7 million for these activities to allow the timely and effective delivery of project benefits; and ensure the reliability and operational readiness of Reclamation's dams, reservoirs, power plants, and distribution systems. In particular, the 2001 request includes $77.3 million for the Dam Safety Program, an increase of $11.9 million, to protect the downstream public by ensuring the safety and reliability of BOR dams.

2001 BUREAU OF RECLAMATION BUDGET

The 2001 request for the Bureau of Reclamation totals $801.0 million, and includes $741.0 million for Reclamation's programs, an increase of $33.1 million from 2000. It also includes $60.0 million for the California Bay-Delta Restoration Program, the same as the 2000 enacted level.

Reclamation continues to meet its historic mission of supplying water for agriculture, and for a multitude of other purposes, it is placing greater emphasis on: promoting the conservation, reclamation and reuse of existing water supplies; protecting and restoring fish and wildlife resources; working with its customers, States, and Tribes to find ways to address multiple needs; and implementing business practices that will provide the most effective and efficient service to customers, partners and employees.

I've already touched on some of the priorities in the 2001 request for Reclamation's programs, and Commissioner Martinez's statement will provide more details about that request. Let me now say a few words about the request for the Bay-Delta Program.

In the last three years, with the support of this Subcommittee, Congress has appropriated $220.0 million for the California Bay-Delta Restoration Program, including $190.0 million for ecosystem restoration and, beginning last year, $30.0 million for other program elements. These Federal funds, combined with money from the State and the stakeholder community, have been used to support a broad and open public process to develop a comprehensive, long-term solution to problems in the Bay-Delta; and to undertake a large number of ecosystem restoration projects that are beginning to make a significant difference in fish and wildlife habitats throughout Northern and Central California.

This summer, CALFED plans to issue the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Review (EIS/EIR) for the Bay-Delta Program, and approval of a final program plan is expected soon thereafter. As a result, in 2001 we expect to begin implementing program elements for which we have adequate authority,. and to seek additional authorizing legislation as needed. Our request for 2001 includes $36.0 million for continued implementation of the ecosystem restoration program, and $24.0 million for other aspects of the final program plan, including projects to improve water use efficiency and water supply reliability.

We believe it is essential that the $60.0 million requested for 2001 be provided so that we can continue to meet the Federal commitment to this unique and strong partnership. The State of California has taken steps to ensure that it will be able to pay its share of the costs. In 1996, voters approved Proposition 204, which will allow the State to issue $390 million in bonds to fund ecosystem restoration activities once the final EIS/EIR is certified. Earlier this month, California voters approved Proposition 13, which will provide $1.97 billion for a variety of water projects, including $250 million dedicated specifically to carrying out the Bay-Delta Program.

As you know, the 1996 Bay-Delta Act authorized the appropriation of $143.3 million for the ecosystem restoration program in each of three years - 1998, 1999, and 2000. Appropriations to date for the ecosystem restoration program have totaled $190.0 million, leaving an authorized but unappropriated balance of $239.9 million. In March 1999, the Administration submitted legislation to extend this authorization through 2003, but as yet that legislation has not been introduced in the House or in the Senate. In an effort to ensure that progress on this important effort can continue, the 2001 budget includes an identical proposal in the form of a proviso in the appropriations language. The proposal would not increase the total amount of appropriations authorized, but it would allow these funds to be utilized over a realistic timeframe for continuation of this important work.

2001 CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT BUDGET

The Central Utah Project Completion Act provided for completion of the Central Utah Project by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District; authorized funding for fish, wildlife, and recreation mitigation and conservation; established the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission; and provided for the Ute Indian Rights Settlement. As my responsibilities under that Act may not be delegated to Reclamation, we established a Program Office in Provo, Utah, which provides oversight, review, and liaison with the District, the Commission, and the Ute Indian Tribe.

The 2001 request provides $39.9 million to implement provisions of the Act, an increase of $707,000 over the 2000 level. The request includes $19.1 million for the District to continue construction on the remaining segments of the Diamond Fork System; to implement approved water conservation and water management improvement projects; and to continue development of planning and NEPA documents on facilities to deliver.water in the Utah Lake drainage basin.

The request also includes $14.2 million to be transferred to the Mitigation Commission for use in implementing the fish, wildlife, and recreation mitigation and conservation projects authorized in Title III; and in completing mitigation measures committed to in pre-1992 Reclamation planning documents. Finally, the request includes a total of $6.7 million for activities administered by the Program Office, including $5.0 million for the Federal contribution to the principal of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Account.

This concludes my prepared statement. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

END

LOAD-DATE: April 20, 2000

Document 14 of 79.


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