Cole Applauds Passage of H.R. 132, the Arbuckle Project Maintenance Complex and District Office Conveyance Act of 2017

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after passage of his legislation, H.R. 132, the Arbuckle Project Maintenance Complex and District Office Conveyance Act of 2017. This bill was passed by a vote of 407-1 in the House. H.R. 132 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey all right, title and interest in the Maintenance Complex and District Office of the federal Arbuckle project to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District in Murray County, Oklahoma. Cole previously introduced this bill in the 114^th Congress, and it passed in the House in 2016.

"I was proud to sponsor this legislation which will put the Arbuckle Maintenance Complex back into local hands, and local control. This important project provides numerous benefits to the surrounding areas including flood control, municipal water supply and many recreational water activities. I look forward to this legislation being passed by the Senate, and ultimately, to the President's desk."

In 1962, Congress passed a law to authorize payment of reimbursable costs for construction, operation and maintenance of the Bureau of Reclamation's "Arbuckle Project" in south-central Oklahoma. Once conveyed, the federal government will be relieved of all future liability and financial responsibility related to the Arbuckle Project Maintenance Complex.

For more information on H.R. 132, please click here.