as initially proposed. Our present timetable calls for completion of
the EIS and regulations process during 1980. This matter will be
more fully covered in Departmental testimony at hearings on S. 14
before your Committee.
 It is clear that the EIS will increase our knowledge of potential im-
pacts of the regulations, and of legislative amendments as well. There
is substantial interest in the Congress and elsewhere to amend the law.
We concur in that purpose. On behalf of the Administration, we are
offering this report and the attached amendments in response to your
requests for our views on the Congressionally-sponsored legislation
now before you. We will continue to work on the EIS with the expec-
tation that it may well offer important additional knowledge concern-
ing alternatives for this program. When the EIS is complete, we will
then assess its importance for pending or future regulations and leg-
islation.
 We note that other bills, in addition to S. 14, on the subject of reform
of the Federal reclamation laws, have been recently introduced in the
Senate, including S. 633 and S. 386. While we have not been requested
to address these bills for the purposes of this hearing, we believe they
may present potentially serious problems for the reclamation program
(especially S. 633) and we would like to have the opportunity to sub-
mit additional views in time for further Committee consideration of
reclamation reform legislation.
 This concludes the presentation of the Department's views. As stated
initially, we would support enactment of legislation reflecting the
views and amendments provided herewith.
 The Office of Management and Budget, has advised that the presen-
tation of this report is in accord with the Administration's program.
 Sincerely,
 GruY R. MARTIN,
 Assistant Secretary.
 Attachment.

 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS To S. 14
 Insert new See. 2 of S. 14, page 2, line 1:

 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
 "Sec. 2. It is the purpose of this Act to reaffirm as law and policy that
the purposes of the Reclamation Act of 1902 and the Congressional in-
tention in Federal reclamation law, are and have been:
 (a) to promote owner-operated family farms;
 (b) to provide opportunity for a maximum number of farmers
 on the land and for individuals to get a start in farming;
 (c) to distribute widely the benefits of federally subsidized
 reclamation projects;
 (d) to preclude speculative gain in the disposition of excess and
 formerly excess lands; and
 (e) to provide for sound repayment practices from those receiv-
 ing federally supplied water.