Downing Testifies in Support of Bill to Strengthen Irrigation, Protect Montana Endangered Species
Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) delivered testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources in support of his bill, H.R. 6568, the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act. The bill reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel built to support the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon.
Read bill text of H.R. 6568 here.
Watch Congressman Downing’s remarks in support of H.R. 6568 here or by clicking on the image above.
Background
Authorized in 2007 and built by Bureau of Reclamation, the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel mitigates harm to the endangered pallid sturgeon and lies outside the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project.
In the winter, large pieces of ice crash into these bypasses causing extensive damage.
While LYIP repays irrigation infrastructure costs, the bypass's repair needs stem from federal obligations, and LYIP believes they should not—and cannot afford to—reimburse BOR for repair and maintenance costs.
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