07/12/05 McMorris says House to work on ESA reform

Washington Ag July 12, 2005 5th District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris told people attending Washington State University's Spillman Field Day last week that the House Resources Committee, on which she serves, is getting to work on legislation to reform the Endangered Species Act. McMorris says committee chairman Richard Pombo wants that reform enacted this year. McMorris. "He is hopeful that we will get something at least out of committee in July and out of the House. And he believes we can get something through the Senate. I am not sure how that is going to happen but I trust he knows more than I do." McMorris says another major issue she is working on is federal Judge James Redden's ruling on spilling water in the Columbia-Snake River system. McMorris: "That is just going to have a tremendous negative impact on this region. We are committed to trying to get more balance and common sense applied to the operation of the Columbia-Snake River system. And you know we cannot be breaching those dams." By the way, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear an appeal on that ruling this Wednesday in Seattle. Congresswoman McMorris also told producers at the field day she is working hard on funding for the USDA's Agricultural Research Service at Pullman and the research at WSU. I'm Bob Hoff.