[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E380-E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        BIPARTISAN INITIATIVE TO REAUTHORIZE THE CLEAN WATER ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. HAYES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 16, 1995
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a part of a bipartisan 
coalition of Members who have come together to present a balanced and 
reasonable strategy to reauthorize the Clean Water Act.
  The legislation we are introducing today is the consequence of months 
of hard work last year building consensus among disparate parties to 
this debate. The States, cities, and counties, and the business and 
agricultural communities had significant input into our development 
process. The resultant product for the most part tracks language 
circulated as an alternative to last year's failed attempt to 
reauthorize, and just like our effort last year, its intent is to open 
up an honest dialog to draft a progressive and pragmatic plan. This 
proposal is just the starting point, and the continued participation 
and thoughtful analysis of all of the interested players is critical to 
helping us perfect this important legislation as it moves through the 
committee markup process.
  This bill seeks to address the shortfalls as well as enhance the 
strengths of the current CWA programs. First and foremost, our proposal 
provides an affordable authorization level of $10 billion for the State 
revolving fund over the next 6 years. In doing so, we propose, in a 
fiscally responsible manner consistent with the current budgetary 
climate, to provide needed funds to States to improve water quality, 
presenting a more accurate picture of what the Federal Government can 
afford in these areas, while maintaining high enough allocations to 
allow the programs to remain viable.
  Another crucial area that this bipartisan initiative also intends to 
address is the nonpoint source section 319 program. Developing 
innovative strategies to address our nonpoint source problems without 
the onerous and often-counterproductive command and control regulatory 
overkill will be important to the future effectiveness of the entire 
Clean Water Program.
  Finally, among the other important provisions of the bill is a long 
overdue effort to comprehensively resolve the enigma that is our 
Federal Wetlands Program. The obscure and burdensome section 404 
permitting program would be revised to establish a system of 
multiclassifications that protects the most pristine wetlands and 
coastal marshes, while also preserving the rights of property owners to 
utilize those lands that are less valuable.
  I firmly believe that too often--and the section 404 wetland permit 
program is a prime example--the institutional arrogance and ignorance 
of bureaucrats and government agencies has spawned ineffective and 
inflexible programs beyond the scope of their intended authorizations. 
These programs are neither cost effective nor improve the quality of 
our waters. We have forgotten that properly motivated individuals and 
businesses, rather than bureaucrats and politicians, are much better 
equipped to efficiently allocate financial and human resources toward 
the economic and 
[[Page E381]] environmental well-being of their land. We must give them 
the tools to do so.
  Therefore, I welcome my colleagues and the affected parties to the 
clean water debate to comment on this legislation because only with 
substantive and constructive deliberation will the right balance 
between the economy and the environment be reached.


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