Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment Included in National Defense Authorization Act

Cochise County Supervisors Broadcast Email | 11/7/03 | Pat Call

[SandRat]

Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment Included in National Defense Authorization Act

(Washington, D.C.) - The House of Representatives Friday passed the National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 1588, legislation that included the Fort Huachuca Preservation amendment. H.R. 1588 sets policies, programs and funding levels for the nation's military, authorizing $400 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. This bill passed the House 362-40 and is expected to also pass the Senate early next week and then be sent to President Bush for his signature and enactment into law.

The Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment relieves the Fort from being held responsible for future off-post civilian water consumption far beyond their control. Additional language in the amendment will also enhance the effectiveness of the Upper San Pedro Partnership and their efforts to protect the San Pedro River.

"Congress has voted to both protect Fort Huachuca and preserve the San Pedro River," said Renzi. "This provision is a victory for the people of southeastern Arizona and the Upper San Pedro Partnership. The Partnership is making great progress working with people to preserve the river. The Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment encourages these types of cooperative efforts."

"Opponents of this language overreached with a smear campaign that was baseless and malicious. These slanderous attacks discredited their campaign and gave concerned parties pause over the true motivations behind their intended goals."

Renzi continued, "With this new provision, the future of Fort Huachuca and its continued role in southeastern Arizona has been preserved. The days of using the Fort as a pawn in the legal battle over water are finished."

---------------------------- some specifics on the news story ------------------------------------

CONGRESS CLARIFIES FORT’S WATER RESPONSIBILITIES, PRESERVES FUTURE OF SAN PEDRO RIVER, ANNOUNCES KOLBE

LEGISLATION PROVIDES ROADMAP FOR EFFORTS TO SAVE RIVER

Washington, D.C. – Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) Friday announced that the Defense Authorization bill’s conference report, H.R. 1588, which contains language pertaining to Fort Huachuca’s water conservation efforts and the future of the Upper San Pedro River, passed the House floor Friday morning. This language addresses the concern over the disproportionate responsibility placed on the Army for their use of the Upper San Pedro River. The language also requires a report that will identify impediments to protecting the river in local, state and federal legislation.

Various legislative efforts have been introduced over the years to bring relief to the Fort. This latest approach, worked out over two months ago between the offices of Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl and Representatives Jim Kolbe and Rick Renzi, represents a satisfactory compromise for all parties involved. Input from the Army and the Sierra Vista community was solicited.

“This compromise language is a win-win for Fort Huachuca, the future of the Upper San Pedro River and the Sierra Vista community,” said Rep. Kolbe. “This is just a first step. The report required by this language provides us with a roadmap to guide our efforts in saving the river and protects the Fort from unfair litigation for off-post water use.”

Below is a summary of the provisions contained in the legislative language:

1. Limitation On Federal Agency Responsibility For Civilian Water Consumption

Impacts Related To Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

For future consultations between the Fish & Wildlife Service and Fort Huachuca regarding water consumption that is off the installation, only direct, indirect, interrelated, or interdependent water consumption that is off of the installation can be considered.

2. Recognition of Upper San Pedro Partnership.

Congress authorizes the Upper San Pedro Partnership (USPP) and recognizes its effort to establish a collaborative water use management program. This authorization will facilitate additional federal money. (Previous federal funding for the USPP was secured by Rep. Kolbe as an ear-mark.)

3. Report on Water Use Management and Conservation of Regional Aquifer.

By December 31, 2004, the Secretary of Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Defense and in cooperation with the Upper San Pedro Partnership, must submit a report to Congress on the water use management and conservation measures that have been implemented and are needed to achieve a net, zero-impact to the aquifer by September 30, 2011. This report must identify impediments in current Federal, State, and local laws that hinder efforts of the USPP to mitigate water usage. The report must identify the following: The net quantity of water withdrawn last year. The amount of the overdraft that needs to be reduced each year from 2005 to 2011 to achieve no overdraft. An allocation of the yearly reduction to responsible parties who have authority to implement the reductions. The measures each water-use controlling member of the Upper San Pedro Partnership will take each year.

4. Annual Report on Progress.

By October 31 of each year from 2005 to 2011, the Secretary of Interior, on behalf of the Upper San Pedro River, must submit a progress report to Congress outlining the progress of the previous year. The report elements are as follows: The quantity of the overdraft that was reduced. The water use management and conservation measures undertaken by each water-use controlling member of the USPP.

The legislative accomplishments made during the previous year to remove legal impediments.

[SandRat]

For those who have been following the Renzi Amendment, BRAC and water issues - this was BIG news out of Congress Friday morning.

[SandRat]

PING away

BTTT

[farmfriend]

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[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[PsyOp]

Glad to hear it. I did my OBC at Huachuca. Best place I was ever stationed.

[SandRat]

As soon as it passes the Senate (expect Hagen Daz Teddy K) to cry foul then we can all tell the ENVIRO-Wackos to go to h***!

[PsyOp]

Teddy is still pissed at the Huachuca crowd because they got the nod when the two intelligence schools and all the assets were consolidated there instead of Ft. Devons Mass. Lost himself a lucrative military base to AZ. I doubt he'd pass up any chance to undermine Ft. Huachuca.

[SandRat]

Oh Hagen-Daz Teddy will huff-n-puff and make all the right sounds but in the end he'll cave and let it pass. He has to or he loses his best buddy on the floor who needs the bill to pass to have even a remote chance of being re-elected.

Just who is that you ask? None other than

Sen. McCain of course.