Bevill (D-AL) motion to the fiscal year 1982 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference to agree to a Senate amendment allowing construction to continue on the Garrison Diversion Water Project, which had been halted by a federal court. While planning for the Garrison project continues (see vote description #5), a federal court has ordered that construction of the project be temporarily halted until Congress has an opportunity to review some major environmental and legal problems, including Canada's claim that the project would seriously and adversely effect its water quality in violation of the U.S. - Canadian Boundary Waters Treaty. 80% of the project would affect waters flowing into Canada. The court also established a process which includes additional environmental studies and international negotiations, that will enable Congress to intelligently review the project.

Without waiting for this information, the Senate by voice vote set aside the court order and directed the Secretary of the Interior to proceed with construction. The Bevill motion in the House would have accepted the Senate's action. Environmentalists strongly objected to this attempt to disregard the environmental impacts, circumvent the federal courts and violate U.S. Treaty obligations. Motion rejected 67-314; November 20, 1981. NO is the pro-environmental vote.