Statement on Signing the Griffith Project Prepayment and Conveyance Act

Statement on Signing the Griffith Project Prepayment and Conveyance Act

July 26, 2000

Today I have signed into law S. 986, the ``Griffith Project
Prepayment and Conveyance Act,'' a bill to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to convey the Griffith Project to the Southern Nevada Water
Authority (SNWA).
This legislation is consistent with Administration policy of
transferring certain facilities to private water districts where it is
more efficient for the nonfederal entity to manage the project. I am
pleased that the Congress addressed many Administration concerns with
earlier versions of this legislation. For example, the bill clarifies
questions regarding the lands to be transferred and eligibility for
future benefits for Bureau of Reclamation programs.
I am disappointed that the bill directs rather than authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to convey the facilities of the Project. My
Administration believes that prior to transferring title, the Secretary
should conduct a meaningful National Environmental Policy Act analysis
so that the Department, the Congress, and the public can fully
understand the impacts of the proposed transfer, its alternatives, and
potential mitigation measures. My Administration continues to oppose
such mandatory provisions in transfer bills. However, because of the
cooperative efforts with the SNWA and the progress made to date in the
environmental review, the Department of the Interior indicates that it
believes that the process can be satisfactorily completed with regard to
this Project.
In signing S. 986, I state my interpretation that section 5(c) of
the bill, which provides that nothing in the Act shall transfer or
affect Federal ownership, rights, or interest in Lake Mead National
Recreation Area associated lands, nor affect the authorities of the
National Park Service to manage the Area, read together with section
3(b)(2), makes clear that no interests in real property would transfer
to the SNWA other than the right-of-way

that is reasonably necessary for the Authority to operate, maintain,
replace, and repair the Griffith Project, as constituted on the date of
enactment of this Act. Further, notwithstanding language in the bill
that provides that the right-of-way shall be ``at no cost,'' the Federal
Government is not prevented from seeking reimbursement for expenditures
associated with implementing this Act and protecting the resources of
Lake Mead National Recreation Area when rights-of-way are established.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
July 26, 2000.