[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 141 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO RYE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate the Town of Rye, NH, for receiving the 1997 Walter B. 
Jones Memorial and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 
Excellence Awards for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. The town 
of Rye received the awards for the category of excellence in local 
government, which recognizes local communities that show exemplary 
leadership, innovation and accomplishment in coastal resource 
protection and management.
  Due to the gradual cut-off from the daily tidal water around the town 
of Rye, a number of wildlife habitats and marsh lands have steadily 
decreased. By thier own initative, The town of Rye's Conservation 
Commission took immediate action and undertook an innovate project to 
restore a majority of its historic salt marsh areas.
  Since 1993, Rye has undertaken numerous salt marsh restoration 
projects and is well on its way to restoring the majority of its 
historic slat marsh areas. Rye has also worked cooperatively with U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife, splitting costs with the town to replace culverts 
and restore the tidal flow to approximately 18 acres of salt marsh.
  To date, the town of Rye has jointly funded four restoration projects 
affecting 240 acres of salt marsh. Utilizing such agencies as the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife, the Environmental Protection Agency, the New 
Hampshire Estuaries Project, as well as private businesses, the town of 
Rye continues to improve and enhance the salt marsh areas.
  Mr. President, as a member of the Environmental Public Works 
Committee, I am very concerned with every aspect of our environment. 
The salt marshes in Rye, NH, are a very important part to the overall 
habitat of the area and I am very pleased to know many other citizens 
of the Granite State share my concerns for the environment. But more 
importantly, I commend the action taken by the town of Rye for making 
the necessary changes to improve the salt marshes. It is this type of 
initiative that exemplifies how local government and its citizens can 
better and more efficiently manage their environment than the Federal 
Government. The town of Rye has shown dedication and is a model as well 
as inspiration to other towns in New Hampshire and the country. 
Congratulations and appreciation are in order to the many people who 
have selfishly worked to save the historic salt marshes. No town is 
more deserving to receive the Excellence in Local Government Award than 
Rye, NH.

                          ____________________