Salazar celebrates passage of Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. Among the pieces of individual legislation in the bill was the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act sponsored by Congressman John Salazar. The bill would establish a 65% federal cost share for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a proposed 130-mile water delivery system from Pueblo Dam to communities throughout the Arkansas River Valley. The Conduit was originally authorized in 1962 as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas project.
“This project has been on hold for over four decades,” said Congressman Salazar. “Generations of people in Southeastern Colorado have waited long enough for clean and safe drinking water. We all know that water equals life in the West and the people of these communities deserve a clean, reliable water delivery system to ensure their health and prosperity for future generations.”  

The Arkansas Valley Conduit Act:
• Provides for the payment of not more than 35% of the cost of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, Colorado, by the Secretary of the Interior.
• Requires revenue derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts using project facilities to be credited towards payment of the actual cost of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Fountain Valley Pipeline, and the South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, until the date on which the payments for the Conduit begin, and then towards payment of the actual cost of the Conduit.
• Requires any rates charged for water for municipal, domestic, or industrial use or for the use of facilities for the storage or delivery of water to be adjusted to reflect the estimated revenue derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts using project facilities.
• Authorizes appropriations for the construction of the Conduit. Prohibits such sums from being used for its operation or maintenance.

The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 now goes to the President for consideration.