Congressman Adrian Smith interview

Interview by Kris Polly of Water Strategies with Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)
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Congressman Adrian Smith Shares Views on Reclamation Stimulus and Western Water Issues

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a member of the House Water and Power Subcommittee, discussed his views on the importance of water infrastructure, the Reclamation stimulus package and the need for increased communications from customer and stakeholder organizations. A transcript of the April 24, 2009, interview conducted by Kris Polly of Water Strategies, LLC is provided below.

Kris Polly: Congressman Smith, as a member of the Water and Power Subcommittee, how would you characterize your views and concerns on water issues in Nebraska and throughout the West?

Congressman Smith: Water is vital to our economy and our rural way of life. Without it, especially with the droughts of late, for all intents and purposes we wouldn't have an economy. Also, I think the environment is better off from the responsible development we have had that leads to renewable energy, that leads to responsible irrigation practices, and that leads to increased recreation. So water provides a very diverse economy, actually.

Kris Polly: Since the Bureau of Reclamation's recently released list of projects to receive stimulus funds did not include Nebraska, what questions are you likely to ask during the stimulus hearing with Reclamation on next Tuesday, April 28?

Congressman Smith: I intend to ask a number of questions about how the Bureau of Reclamation will ensure transparency and accountability in how taxpayer and ratepayers funds are spent. It’s important that funds are targeted and spent on fixing infrastructure that will have long-term, positive consequences on water-related jobs. I also want to reflect on the GAO's report on the implementation of the spending bill in which they noted many states do not have a real ability to ensure the stimulus dollars are spent wisely and with accountability. What we have done in 3rd district is generate interest. We had a meeting last week on the stimulus which generated a standing room only crowd and I think that invites transparency and accountability.

Kris Polly: To your knowledge, are there any projects in Nebraska that are "shovel-ready" for Reclamation funding?



Congressman Adrian Smith Interview
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Congressman Smith: The Bureau has found that Nebraska doesn’t have any “shovel ready” projects, but I think we will hear from water and power users that there are indeed a few that should have made the list. Perhaps Governor Heinemann’s office would be able to reflect on that a bit. Even though Reclamation is a federal agency, the state really has a lot of authority for determining where those dollars should go.

Kris Polly: Given the tremendous water infrastructure needs throughout the West, would you share your thoughts on the language contained in the stimulus legislation that states "costs of extraordinary maintenance and replacement activities carried out with funds provided in this Act shall be repaid pursuant to existing authority, except the length of repayment period shall be as determined by the Commissioner, but in no case shall the repayment period exceed 50 years with interest . . . "

Congressman Smith: Well, farmers throughout Nebraska are experiencing high costs when it comes to fuel, electricity, feed and other input costs that are necessary in order to keep their operations going. Water costs are rising as well and this is making it hard for Nebraska agriculture, especially on those farm families dependent on Bureau of Reclamation irrigation projects. I would argue that they need flexibility when it comes to paying for extraordinary maintenance items at Reclamation projects and that provision should be a source of that flexibility. Above all though, Congress should not go in the opposite direction by passing a "one-size-fits-all" provision like the Clean Water Restoration Act. It sounds great, but details are what are creating problems. Instead, I think we need to enact regulatory and tax relief to provide that flexibility.

Kris Polly: Because water issues in Nebraska and the throughout the West are so important, what would you ask of water related organizations in the 17 Western States? How would you like them to work with you and your colleagues on the Water and Power Subcommittee?

Congressman Smith: There is nothing like open communication and sharing information of the front lines. As I said earlier, water is of the upmost importance, not only for agriculture producers, but everyone. It's vital to a small rural economy and it's vital to an urban economy. Whether it is irrigation or recreation or other infrastructure needs, we need to hear from people on the ground. They are the folks earning a direct paycheck from that economy.

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