[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                               speech of

                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 1994

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, on October 3, the House passed H.R. 4460, 
the Water Resources Development Act of 1994. During debate of the bill, 
I included language in my Floor statement regarding the Public Works 
and Transportation Committee's intent behind provisions on cost sharing 
of dredged material disposal areas. Unfortunately, the language was 
inadvertently omitted from the October 3 Congressional Record. 
Therefore, I'm including the language and clarification of our 
Committee's intent as an extension of remarks in today's Congressional 
Record.
  Section 221 of the bill amends section 101(b) of WRDA 1986 to clarify 
that the Federal Government will share in the cost of project features 
that are necessary for the creation of dredged material disposal areas, 
including capping, retaining dikes, bulkheads, embankments, and 
associated structures. This amendment applies to the construction of 
new projects under section 101(a), as well as maintenance projects 
under 101(b). There has been some confusion over this and I wish to 
have the record made clear. This amendment is very important to 
Massport, because when Congress authorized funding in 1990 for the 
Boston Harbor Dredging Project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
assumed the use of ocean disposal, but it now appears this may not be 
acceptable. Instead, Massport may need to use in-channel, near-shore, 
or upland sites. Under current interpretations of WRDA, the Corps would 
not share in the cost of disposal at these sites.
  This amendment applies to both new construction projects and 
maintenance projects. Accordingly, Massport's project would be covered 
by the amendment.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Massachusetts [Mr. Blute] for his leadership in helping to clarify this 
provision. I appreciate his efforts, both in the Public Works and 
Transportation Committee and on the House Floor, to improve the bill.

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