[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1237-E1238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL 
                            RECREATION AREA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a bill, H.R. 4141, to 
modify the boundaries of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation 
Area to protect the lands, waters, and natural, cultural, and scenic 
resources along the Chattahoochee River.
  Expansion of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area will provide 
additional recreation opportunities for citizens, will protect and 
preserve the endangered Chattahoochee River, and will be accomplished 
through support and funding from federal, state, local, and private 
entities.
  The Chattahoochee River, ranked as one of the ten most endangered 
rivers in the country provides the drinking water for the Atlanta 
metropolitan area and almost half of the population of Georgia. One of 
the major concerns to our river is the imminent threat of development. 
Runoff from construction and the overdevelopment of areas surrounding 
the forty-eight mile stretch of the river north of the city have 
resulted in pollution silt, and sediment build-ups. This bill 
authorizes the creation of a greenway buffer between the river and 
private development to prevent further pollution from continued 
development, provide flood and erosion control, and maintain water 
quality for safe drinking water and for the abundant fish and wildlife 
dependent on the river system. Protecting this valuable resource is 
vital to the future of the state of Georgia and what I consider to be 
one of the most important things that I can do in my public career.
  The massive influx of people--more than 400,000 since 1990--into the 
Atlanta metropolitan area has not only endangered the river, but has 
also dramatically increased the need for recreational areas. The 
Chattahoochee River is currently one of the most visited recreation 
areas in the country. At the rate of growth expected in this area, the 
demand for parks will only increase. Visitor enjoyment will be enhanced 
by increased acreage and by adding land-based links between exiting 
units of the national recreation area. This additional land will be 
welcomed in a city with a lack of public parks and green spaces.
  This greenway project will serve as a model for future conservation 
efforts. Public and private cost sharing will ensure local involvement 
in the expansion of the park boundary. Federal appropriations provided 
in this proposal will be matched by funding from the State of

[[Page E1238]]

Georgia, local governments, private foundations, corporate entities, 
private individuals, and other sources. The cost to the federal 
government will be less than half of the estimated cost of the effort 
and will almost certainly be much less.
  I am very pleased to introduce a proposal that will promote private/
public partnerships in protecting vital natural resources and in 
increasing recreational opportunities for citizens. Expanding the 
Chattahoochee National Recreation Area will ensure that future 
generations will have clean water to drink and will be able to enjoy 
the beauty of this nationally significant resource.

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