[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 84 (Friday, May 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     CLEAN WATER AMENDMENTS OF 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. NATHAN DEAL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 961) to 
     amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act:

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 
961, The Clean Water Amendments of 1995, a commonsense approach to 
improving our Nation's water.
  Since last summer, I have been part of the bipartisan effort to 
improve upon the existing Clean Water Program. I felt back then, as I 
do today, that we must give States and localities greater flexibility 
and responsibility to deal with water quality matters.
  H.R. 961 is a sharp departure from the current Federal, top-down 
approach to one that gives State and local water quality officials more 
flexibility and resources to address local problems. It recognizes that 
we have entered a new era of pollution control which requires new and 
innovative approaches to deal with pollution control, not rigid Federal 
standards. This is why the bill is supported by representatives from 
State and local government officials including the National Governor's 
Association, the Association of Water Pollution Control Administrators, 
the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, the U.S. Conference 
of Mayors, National Association of Counties, and National League of 
Cities.
  This bill provides for much needed reforms in the wetlands area. It 
addresses horror stories like the one in Muncie, IN, where an 80-year-
old farmer who had farmed his land all his life, like his grandfather 
and father before him, accidently broke a water pipe and flooded his 
field. The Government informed him he could no longer farm his land 
because it was a wetland. H.R. 961 sets forth a clear and workable plan 
for American agriculture while protecting our most critical wetlands.
  It also addresses the problems in our Nation's stormwater program. 
The current permit process is costly for local communities that on the 
average must spend over $600,000 simply to complete the required 
application process. H.R. 961 reforms this broken system by giving 
States more regulatory flexibility to deal with stormwater problems.
  H.R. 961 provides for unprecedented levels of funding to address 
water quality challenges. It includes $15 billion for State revolving 
loan funds, $1 billion for State nonpoint programs, $750 million for 
State program grants, and $250 million for unsewered and rural areas.
  In short, I believe the bill prepares us for a third decade of clean 
water. It provides for commonsense reform while ensuring we have clean 
water. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 961.


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