Congresswoman Mary Fallin moves bill to House of Representatives

(November 16, 2007) - U.S. Representative Mary Fallin (R-Okla.) moved her bill, H.R. 2085, McGee Creek Project Pipeline and Associated Facilities Conveyance Act, through the House Committee on Natural Resources on Nov. 15.  The committee unanimously voted to send the bill forward for a vote by the full House of Representatives.  The act will allow transfer of certain McGee Creek facilities and properties from the Bureau of Reclamation to the McGee Creek Authority.

“This is a straight forward, non-controversial measure that is a win-win for both parties,” said Congresswoman Fallin.

The McGee Creek Reservoir and associated water pipeline, pumping facilities and properties were built in conjunction with the Bureau of Reclamation.  The McGee Creek Authority operates and maintains the reservoir and associated water pipeline and pumping facilities and is obligated to pay annual operational and maintenance costs and for its debt.  In 1992, the McGee Creek Authority paid to the Bureau of Reclamation $88.6 million to fully repay the federal government for its cost of constructing the water supply related McGee Creek facilities.

“This transfer will save the federal government money by releasing it from its obligation to pay for either liabilities or damages,” Congresswoman Fallin said.  “It also gives the Authority the ability to make capital improvements and upgrades without using the Bureau of Reclamation as a middle man.”

Transfer of these specific McGee Creek properties, namely the water pipeline and pumping facilities, headquarters office, pole barn, storage building, surge tank, control and relay stations and associated land on which they reside, will have no adverse affect on the federal government’s involvement with or control of the McGee Creek Reservoir.  The McGee Creek Authority already pays all maintenance and operating costs associated with these reservoir facilities and the transfer would facilitate the ability of the McGee Creek Authority to finance future operation, maintenance and replacement of these facilities.  The transfer will, however, vest ownership in the facilities for which the McGee Creek Authority is already responsible for operating and maintaining, thereby lessening the Bureau of Reclamation’s responsibility to provide administrative review of the McGee Creek Authority’s ongoing operations and maintenance functions for these facilities.  Going forward, the McGee Creek Authority will continue providing the same quality services as in past years.

The McGee Creek Reservoir itself is not included in the transfer and mineral rights are specifically excluded from the transfer.  There will be no impact on oil and gas interests as that activity has always taken place under the review and approval of the Bureau of Reclamation and will continue to be the case.

The McGee Creek Authority is a public trust of the State of Oklahoma that was established in 1978 to finance, operate and maintain the reservoir, dam and water pipeline and pumping facilities.  The City of Oklahoma City, the City of Atoka and the County of Atoka benefit from the water rights they hold in the McGee Creek Reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma.  The McGee Creek Reservoir provides many Oklahomans with, first and foremost, a dependable water supply and, in addition, a myriad of recreational opportunities.