[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 92 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  REINTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION REQUESTING ACQUISITION OF WAIHEE MARSH 
                               (H.R. 429)

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                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 429 at the 
beginning of the 104th Congress which requests the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service [FWS] to acquire the Waihee Marsh wetland and to 
establish a conservation easement on both sides of Waihee Stream 
located at Kahaluu, Island of Oahu, State of Hawaii. I developed the 
legislation at the request of a member of the county council of the 
city and county of Honolulu.
  Thirty acres of the Waihee Marsh are currently on the 2-year priority 
acquisition list of FWS. The wetland functions as a flood control area 
and filtration system that protects adjacent lands and Kaneohe Bay. The 
marsh also serves as primary habitat for endangered water birds and 
migratory shorebirds. Community support is widespread for this proposed 
acquisition.
  The Waihee Stream parcel proposed for acquisition had been 
recommended for conservation by the Kaneohe Bay Task Force, which 
maintained that the creation of a 100-foot buffer area around the 
stream would protect water quality and prevent flooding.
  However, property owners of lands along Waihee Stream are concerned 
and opposed to the acquisition of the conservation easement. Because of 
this protest, I am deleting this particular provision from the bill, 
and resubmitting it for the marsh area alone.
  I urge support of the Waihee Marsh, and urge its inclusion in the 
fiscal year 1996 budget for acquisition.


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