{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-water-infrastructure-bill-addresses-concerns-of-state-cabin", "CRAMER: Water Infrastructure Bill Addresses Concerns of State Cabin Owners", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Here to View Congressman Cramer\u2019s Floor Debate\n  WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman Kevin Cramer debated in support of language in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act preventing significant cabin fee increases at three state reservoirs and maintaining the use of trailer homes at Lake Tschida in southwestern North Dakota.\u00a0 The bill passed the House of Representatives today.\n\u201cThis issue of allowing continued use of trailer homes around Lake Tschida has been going on for years,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cThe requirements in this provision in the bill will increase safety while supporting existing investments and continued recreation at the Lake.\u201d\nThe bill also addresses looming fee increases for cabins and trailers at the three North Dakota Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs, Heart Butte, Jamestown, and Dickinson.\u00a0\u201cBecause market rent surveys weren\u2019t conducted for a number of years, surveys completed last year indicated fees should be increased anywhere from 91 to 232 percent at these locations. My constituents couldn\u2019t bear such significant increases,\u201d said Cramer. \u00a0\nLanguage in the bill limits these specific increases to no more than 33 percent over the next five years.\u00a0He said the Bureau has committed to conducting another market rent survey in five years to help keep fees relevant to the marketplace and increases at a reasonable pace so owners can afford to continue to enjoy these recreation areas. \u00a0\u00a0\nThe WIIN bill, S. 612, addresses America\u2019s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water infrastructure critical to the nation.\u00a0 Formerly called the Water Resources Development Act, Cramer said the bill is important for America\u2019s economic competitiveness. \u201cMany of North Dakota\u2019s agricultural and other products use inland waterways and coastal ports for shipment,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cMaintaining and improving that transportation infrastructure is as crucial as good highways and railroads to North Dakota producers moving their products to domestic and international markets.\u201d\nThe bill includes sections similar to the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act, H.R. 1734, Cramer cosponsored and the House passed on July 22, 2015.\u00a0 The legislation empowers states to establish their own coal ash disposal program as long as it meets the standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\u00a0 \u201cThe regulation of coal ash disposal has been debated for decades and fortunately for those of us in North Dakota over that time period we\u2019ve had modern standards and facilities,\u201d said Cramer.\u00a0 \u201cWhile this legislative approach isn\u2019t perfect, it\u2019s better than the EPA\u2019s proposal which leaves too many opportunities for extreme environmental groups to replace regulations based on sound science with their agenda of shutting down the coal industry.\u201d\nThe bill also includes provisions to empower small and economically disadvantaged communities to improve drinking water services through changes to the Safe Drinking Water Act and additional authorized funding.\u00a0 Research on innovative water technologies is authorized and a clearinghouse of public information on cost-effectiveness of alternative drinking water delivery systems will be created.\nOther highlights of the bill include:\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduces the inventory of water resources projects no longer needed and maintains a return to the two-year cycle of considering Water Resources Development Acts.\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assigns a coordinator and principal approving officer for all Army Corps unmanned aircraft systems.\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Requires information sharing and reporting on the Army Corps tribal consultation process.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-water-infrastructure-bill-addresses-concerns-of-state-cabin"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 12.903434690088034, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}