A resolution calling for the protection of the Mekong River Basin and increased United States support for delaying the construction of mainstream dams along the Mekong River.

Bill: 112-sres-227
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Burma
Cambodia
China
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
International organizations and cooperation
Lakes and rivers
Laos
Multilateral development programs
Thailand
Vietnam
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
 Calls on U.S. representatives at multilateral development banks to support strict adherence to international environmental standards for any financial assistance to hydropower dam projects on the Mekong River.
 
Encourages greater U.S. engagement with the Mekong River countries through the Lower Mekong Initiative. 
 
Applauds the decision of the Mekong River Commission to delay endorsement of the Xayaburi Dam, and supports further delay of the construction of mainstream hydropower dams along the Mekong River until the studies by the government of Laos have been completed.
 
Calls on: (1) riparian states along the Mekong River, including China, to respect the rights of other River basin countries; and (2) the governments of Burma and China to improve cooperation with the Mekong River Commission.
 
Supports assistance to the Lower Mekong River riparian states to analyze the impacts of proposed development.

action_date: 2011-12-01
text: 
Calls on: (1) the U.S. government to recognize different national circumstances of riparian states along the Mekong River, (2) U.S. representatives at multilateral development banks to oppose financial assistance to Mekong River hydropower dam projects that have not been regionally coordinated, and (3) the U.S. government in leading the Lower Mekong Initiative to devote greater attention to energy and water infrastructure projects.
 
Encourages greater U.S. engagement with the Mekong River countries through the Lower Mekong Initiative. 
 
Applauds the government of Laos' decision to temporarily suspend work on the Xayaburi Dam. 
 
Supports delay of the construction of mainstream hydropower dams along the Mekong River until environmental assessments have been completed.
 
Calls on: (1) riparian states along the Mekong River, including China, to respect the rights of other River basin countries; and (2) the governments of Burma and China to improve cooperation with the Mekong River Commission.
 
Supports assistance to the Lower Mekong River riparian states to analyze the impacts of proposed development.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 249.
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2011-11-29
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4454)
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in Senate