[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1325-E1327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1325]]



                         SAVE THE CHATTAHOOCHEE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend to the attention 
of my colleagues the following testimony before the Committee on 
Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands on the 
modification of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area boundaries. 
I urge all my colleagues to read this testimony and take advantage of 
this opportunity to save the Chattahoochee so that its beauty and 
resources might be enjoyed by future generations.

  Testimony of Hon. Newt Gingrich Before the Subcommittee on National 
     Parks and Public Lands, Committee on Resources, July 16, 1998

       Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I come before you 
     today to save a river that is not only near and dear to my 
     heart, but is the life blood of my district and most of the 
     State of Georgia. The river I speak of is the Chattahoochee 
     River. From its source in the North Georgia Mountains until 
     it joins the Flint River on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, 
     citizens along its path drink its water, use it for 
     recreational purposes, and enjoy its beauty. With this 
     legislation, today we have a chance to ensure that its gifts, 
     including most importantly the gift of safe, life-sustaining 
     drinking water, are protected and preserved for our children 
     and grandchildren.
       H.R. 4141 will modify the boundaries of the Chattahoochee 
     River National Recreation Area to protect and preserve the 
     endangered Chattahoochee River and provide additional 
     recreation opportunities for citizens. Yet one of the most 
     important aspects of this legislation is the way that this 
     will be done, as the support and funding will come not just 
     from federal sources, but from a partnership of 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. The Chattahoochee is the smallest 
     river basin to serve as the major water supply for a 
     metropolitan area in the United States, which makes the 
     challenge and the impact of growth and development even 
     greater. 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. I personally consider it 
     to be one of the most important things that I can help 
     accomplish in my public career.
       The massive influx of people--more than 400,000 since 
     1990--into the Atlanta metropolitan area has not only 
     impacted water quality issues, but has also dramatically 
     increased the need for expanded recreational areas. The 
     Chattahoochee River is currently one of the most visited 
     recreation areas in the country. Given the rate of growth in 
     this area, increased acreage is essential in order to relieve 
     stress on the current recreation area and to dramatically 
     improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of 
     Americans.
       I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the excitement 
     of schoolchildren engaged in testing the Chattahoochee water 
     as part of their science studies, the coming together of 
     diverse groups of young people helping with river clean-up, 
     and the joy of children from near-by apartments who have 
     discovered, on the banks of the Chattahoochee, a place to run 
     and play. The Chattahoochee is for so many of Georgia's 
     children more than just a river and more than a source of 
     drinking water--it is an outdoor classroom, a community 
     melting pot and, for those whose parents don't yet own a 
     house, the only backyard they know.
       This greenway project will serve as a model for future 
     conservation efforts, as we continue to work toward our 
     vision of a partnership with the people of America, as 
     opposed to a centralized bureaucracy. Public and private cost 
     sharing will ensure local involvement in the expansion of the 
     park boundary. This is a truly historic agreement--federal 
     appropriations provided in this proposal will be matched by 
     funding from private foundations, the State of Georgia, 
     local governments, corporate entities, private 
     individuals, and other sources. In fact, the federal 
     effort will be immediately matched by a private 
     foundation. All other funding sources, such as the $15 
     million which Georgia's Governor Zell Miller and the state 
     legislature have committed, will reduce the federal share 
     of the project. 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 have with me today letters, from a wide range of 
     Georgians in support of expanding the boundaries of the 
     Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, which I will submit 
     for the record. These letters are from mayors of local 
     cities, country commissioners, the Lt. Governor's office, and 
     Governor Zell Miller. These letters illustrate that in 
     addition to the funding aspects, there is a more important 
     partnership--one of political subdivisions, private entities, 
     and neighbors coming together with the common goal of saving 
     our river.
       Finally, I would like to comment on the balance between 
     property owners and the U.S. Park Service. This legislation 
     ensures private property rights are protected by only 
     allowing lands to be acquired with the consent of the 
     property owner. At the same time it gives the Park Service 
     flexibility by allowing a temporary interim map to be used 
     until a comprehensive map can be drawn. In addition, the Park 
     Service will have a 2000 foot corridor on each side of the 
     river to enable the acquisition of larger properties when 
     necessary for achieving our conservation goals. This 
     legislation will ensure a working partnership between the 
     Park Service and private property owners as we create a 
     greenway along the river.
       I am very pleased to testify on behalf of 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 ensures that future generations 
     will have clean water to drink and will be able to enjoy the 
     beauty of this nationally significant resource.
       In closing, I'd like to share a quote from ``The 
     Riverkeeper's Guide to the Chattahoochee,'' a book written by 
     Fred Brown and Sherri M.L. Smith with the support of my good 
     friend Sally Bethea: ``Only God can make a river. And He's 
     not making any more.''
       We have the power to help save one of His greatest rivers 
     and to do it in a way which is not a Washington-based 
     solution but which involves a partnership with the people of 
     America. I hope that each of you will join me in this 
     endeavor.
       Thank you for your time and consideration of this 
     legislation. I look forward to working with the members of 
     the committee on this important project. At this time I would 
     be glad to take any questions.


     
                                  ____
                                                 State of Georgia,


                                       Office of the Governor,

                                        Atlanta, GA, July 9, 1998.
      Hon. Bob Livingston,
      Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,
      Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman: The Appropriation Committees in the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate have completed action on their 
     respective Interior Appropriations bill. I wish to respond to 
     the initial actions of each committee by acknowledging some 
     important realities about three of the line items within the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund section of the bills.
       Each of the acquisitions represent major conservation 
     actions in protecting significant sites previously recognized 
     by Congress. And the inclusion of funding for two of these 
     projects complements funding actions that I, as Governor, 
     have initiated. The State of Georgia is willing to dedicate 
     funds to land acquisition which will serve over the long run 
     to reduce the need for federal spending. It is important for 
     the Federal Government to work closely with the State of 
     Georgia to achieve common goals, while sharing the costs.
       The three line items which are important to the State of 
     Georgia are the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, the 
     Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and the 
     Cumberland Island National Seashore. I wish to address each 
     of them individually.
       A very important item for the State of Georgia is the 
     Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. In the most 
     recent state budget approved by the Georgia General Assembly, 
     $20 million was appropriated for the RiverCare 2000 Program 
     dedicated to protecting and preserving river front property 
     for public use. I have reserved $15 million of that amount to 
     be directed to land acquisition along the Chattahoochee River 
     corridor shared with the National Recreation Area. This 
     approach is consistent with legislation (HR 4141) introduced 
     by Speaker Gingrich which expands the boundaries and the 
     acreage to be acquired as part of the National Recreation 
     Area. One major component of

[[Page E1326]]

     this authorization legislation is that land acquisition move 
     forward with a sharing of responsibility among the Department 
     of Interior, the State of Georgia and its political 
     subdivisions, and private foundations and corporations.
       The House Interior Appropriation bill, which is unnumbered 
     at this time, contains $15 million for acquisition which 
     recognizes current discussions to move quickly to protect a 
     resource disappearing to urbanization and development. While 
     the State is ready to act, other local, private and public 
     interests are also prepared to make financial commitments. 
     The $15 million federal appropriation would be in recognition 
     of these local initiatives and a fitting response to this 
     aggressive partnership being formed (The Senate version does 
     not include funds for the Chattahoochee River National 
     Recreation Area.)
       A second item is a recurring one, the Cumberland Island 
     National Seashore. I believe very strongly in proceeding to 
     fulfill the original intent of the National Seashore enabling 
     legislation. In order to achieve this goal, the National Park 
     Service should complete acquisition on Cumberland Island to 
     realize the preservation of this unique and important 
     resource. To delay further is to allow private rights to gain 
     at the sacrifice of a public good. The President has 
     requested $4.1 million, while neither the House nor the 
     Senate has included funds for this item. This money should be 
     restored at conference committee, or sooner, if the 
     opportunity exists. No purpose is to be gained by further 
     dragging out the acquisition process on Cumberland Island.
       The last item is the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for 
     which the President requested $1 million. The Senate bill, S. 
     2237, responded by allocating $500,000. An environmental 
     assessment by the Fish and Wildlife Service recommends 
     expanding the 25,000-acre refuge with an additional 14,800 
     acres to protect additional habitat for migratory species and 
     to reverse further declines in waterfowl populations. The 
     State is also exploring the Savannah River where there is a 
     need to acquire areas as part of its RiverCare Program. This 
     is another example of state and federal governments working 
     together to dedicate their scarce fiscal resources to protect 
     fragile wetlands and uplands important to the local ecology. 
     At this time, the Fish and Wildlife Service is prepared to 
     spend the full amount requested by the President, and the 
     need to move quickly where willing sellers are available is 
     important.
       I wish to remind you not only of the importance of these 
     projects to the State of Georgia including the investment of 
     federal dollars to protect major environmental resources, but 
     also for the unprecedented intergovernmental cooperation and 
     allocation of financial resources. As Governor, I pledge to 
     use state dollars to work with federal dollars, and not to 
     have federal dollars replace state dollars.
       With kindest regards, I remain
           Sincerely,
                                                      Zell Miller.


     
                                  ____
                                Office of Lieutenant Governor,

                                       Atlanta, GA, July 14, 1998.
     Hon. Bob Livingston,
     Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Action has now been completed by the 
     Appropriations Committees in the House of Representatives and 
     the Senate on The Interior Appropriations bill. I wish to 
     respond to their action regarding three line items within The 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Sections of the bill, which 
     are of great importance and significance to the State of 
     Georgia.
       The first line item is the Chattahoochee River National 
     Recreation Area. As you know, the Chattahoochee River 
     supplies drinking water to several million Georgians, and yet 
     it is considered to be one of the most endangered rivers in 
     America as a result of encroaching development and pollution. 
     No one understands the need to protect the Chattahoochee 
     River better than Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has authored HR 
     4141 which will permit the expansion of the existing National 
     Recreation Area. It is our shared vision to protect more of 
     the river corridor. The current Georgia budget includes $15 
     million dedicated to land acquisition along the Chattahoochee 
     River. The private sector is also willing to support the 
     acquisition of more land. It is imperative, however, that we 
     have the $15 million included in the House Interior 
     Appropriation bill in order to carry out the intent of 
     Speaker Gingrich's HR 4141. While the Senate version does not 
     include funds for the Chattahooche River National Recreation 
     Area, it is our hope that the conference committee report 
     will recognize the historic opportunity we have to launch a 
     public-private partnership to save the Chattahooche.
       The second item is The Cumberland Island National Seashore. 
     I believe very strongly in proceeding to fulfill the original 
     intent of the National Seashore enabling legislation. Thus, 
     it is of critical importance that the National Park Service 
     complete the acquisition of the Greyfield tract on Cumberland 
     Island to protect it from development and to protect the 
     immense investment which the taxpayers have made in 
     Cumberland Island. The President has requested $4.1 million 
     for the purchase of the next installment of the Greyfield 
     tract sale. While neither the House nor Senate has included 
     funds for this item, I strongly believe that the funds should 
     be restored at conference.
       Finally, the President has requested $1 million for the 
     Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina just 
     across from Savannah. The Senate bill (SB2237) allocated 
     $500,000. The Fish and Wildlife Service recommends expanding 
     the current 25,000 acre refuge with an addition of 14,800 
     acres to protect additional habitat for migratory species, 
     both game and non-game. It would be appreciated if the full 
     amount requested could be appropriated so that we can respond 
     to willing sellers and acquire the additional land.
       Mr. Chairman, there can be no better use of tax dollars 
     than the preservation of our natural heritage. President 
     Theodore Roosevelt recognized that fact when he saved the 
     Grand Canyon and established Yellowstone. Each of these items 
     is important not just to Georgia but to the entire country. 
     Hundreds of thousands of visitors to Atlanta drink water from 
     the Chattahoochee River; thousands of people from almost 
     every state visit Cumberland Island; and the ducks, geese and 
     shorebirds that visit the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 
     belong to all Americans. We ask for your support of these 
     important projects.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Pierre Howard.


     
                                  ____
                                                   Gwinnett County


                                       Board of Commissioners,

                                                     June 4, 1998.
     Re: Chattahoochee River National Park Boundary Change
     Hon. Jim Hansen
     Chairmam, Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Hansen: The City of Duluth has previously 
     expressed its support for land acquisition funding for the 
     National Park Service to purchase lands along the 
     Chattahoochee River. The City is very interested in 
     protecting the river corridor and making additional open 
     space and greenways available for public use. The City has 
     worked to obtain conservation easements for waling trails an 
     greenways along the river corridor to help link existing 
     National Park Property.
       It has become evident that many critical parcels along the 
     river corridor are not included in the boundaries previously 
     designed for the National Park Service on future land 
     acquisition. There is an urgent need for legislation to 
     modify the National Park Boundaries by deleting some parcels 
     which have already been developed and include these critical 
     parcels still available for the protection of the river and 
     efficient use of existing National Park property.
       The City strongly supports legislation that would adjust 
     the designated National Park Boundaries identified for future 
     land acquisition to include those critical parcels necessary 
     to link existing National Park Properties as well as protect 
     the river from further intense development. The City applauds 
     your efforts in supporting funding for National Park Service 
     land acquisition along this vital river water resource and 
     asks that you also support some adjustments in the designated 
     boundaries of the National Park so that key vacant parcels 
     can be included.
       Thank you for your efforts and involvement with our 
     national resources. If we can assist in any way, please let 
     us know.
           Sincerely,
                                                    F. Wayne Hill,
                                                         Chairman.


     
                                  ____
                                         Board of Commissioners of


                                                Fulton County,

                                       Atlanta, GA, June 16, 1998.
     Hon. Newt Gingrich,
     2428 Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Newt Gingrich: As an elected 
     representative of North Fulton county, I urge your support 
     for legislation that would allow adjustment of the National 
     Park boundaries identified for future land acquisition in 
     order to link existing National Park properties. This 
     legislation would allow for protection of the Chattahoochee 
     River by including critical parcels that are still available 
     to be included in the Park boundaries, as well as deleting 
     those parcels that are already developed.
       Fulton County is currently working with the City of Roswell 
     to develop a Linear Park along the Chattahoochee in north 
     Fulton. Your support of the Federal Greenways project would 
     enhance our efforts and help to preserve this valuable 
     resource that provides drinking water to the citizens of 
     Fulton County as well as the City of Atlanta.
       Your support of the Federal Greenways Project is greatly 
     appreciated. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.
           Respectfully,

                                                   Bob Fulton,

                                                   District Three,
                             Fulton County Board of Commissioners.


     
                                  ____
                                              City of Roswell,

                                        Roswell, GA, May 21, 1998.
     Re Greenways Project.

     Hon. Jim Hansen,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Roswell, the sixth largest city in the 
     state of Georgia, strongly supports the Federal Greenways 
     Project.
       Roswell is presently acquiring five miles of land along the 
     Chattahoochee River, in north metropolitan Atlanta area, for 
     a linear park. This park would connect the

[[Page E1327]]

     Goldbranch, Vickery Creek and Allen Shoals units of the 
     Chattahoochee National Park. This park will be operated in 
     cooperation with Fulton County and the Chattahoochee Nature 
     Center, and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 
     The State of Georgia, The Trust for Public Lands and the City 
     of Roswell are already committed to raising a portion of the 
     property purchase price. We hope that the Federal Government 
     will also contribute toward acquisition funds for the 
     parkland.
       Once established, this new park would become one of the 
     most heavily used parks within the Atlanta Metropolitan area. 
     It would serve as an excellent example of Federal, State, 
     County and Municipal cooperation in park development. We hope 
     that the Federal Greenways Project will be adopted, so that 
     the Federal Government may participate in this park. Your 
     support of this project will be greatly appreciated.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Jere Wood,
                                                            Mayor.


     
                                  ____
                                               City of Duluth,

                                         Duluth, GA, May 26, 1998.
     Re Chattahoochee River National Park Boundary Change.

     Hon. Newt Gingrich,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gingrich: The City of Duluth has 
     previously expressed its support for land acquisition funding 
     for the National Park Service to purchase lands along the 
     Chattahoochee River. The City is very interested in 
     protecting the river corridor and making additional open 
     space and greenways available for public use. The City has 
     worked to obtain conservation easements for walking trails 
     and greenways along the river corridor to help link existing 
     National Park Property.
       It has become evident that many critical parcels along the 
     river corridor are not included in the boundaries previously 
     designated for the National Park Service on future land 
     acquisition. There is an urgent need for legislation to 
     modify the National Park Boundaries by deleting some parcels 
     which have already been developed and include those critical 
     parcels still available for the protection of the river and 
     efficient use of existing National Park property.
       The City strongly supports legislation that would adjust 
     the designated National Park Boundaries identified for future 
     land acquisition to include those critical parcels necessary 
     to link existing National Park Properties as well as protect 
     the river from further intense development. The City applauds 
     your efforts in supporting funding for National Park Service 
     land acquisition along this vital river water resource and 
     asks that you also support some adjustments in the designated 
     boundaries of the National Park so that key vacant parcels 
     can be included.
       Thank you for your efforts and involvement with our 
     national resources. If we can assist in any way please let us 
     know.
           Sincerely,
                                         Shirley Fanning-Lasseter,
                                                            Mayor.


     
                                  ____
                                               City of Duluth,

                                        Duluth, GA, April 8, 1998.
     Re Chattahoochee River Greenway.

     Hon. Ralph Regula,
     Chairman, House Interior Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Regula: The City of Duluth would like to 
     thank you for your efforts in securing funding for the 
     National Park Service for lands along the Chattahoochee 
     River. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has informed us of the 
     tremendous work you have been doing to see that the National 
     Park Service obtains funds to protect the Chattahoochee River 
     from excessive development through Park Service land 
     acquisition. In our November correspondence to you the City 
     had mentioned that a greenway plan to link two existing 
     National Park properties together was underway. Please find 
     enclosed a copy of this proposed walkway. We currently have 
     approximately 50% of this provided through easements.
       We hope that the next trip you make by helicopter over this 
     area that you will see some results which come from local 
     government and federal government working together on a 
     project. If we can ever be of service please don't hesitate 
     to call on us.
           Sincerely,
                                         Shirley Fanning-Lasseter,
                                                            Mayor.


     
                                  ____
                                              City of Atlanta,

                                       Atlanta, GA, June 24, 1998.
     Hon. John Lewis,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Lewis: I am writing to encourage your 
     support for a $25 million appropriation ($15 million FY '99 
     and $10 million in the supplemental budget for FY '99) from 
     the Land and Water Conservation Fund which is now before the 
     House Appropriations Committee. These funds will allow for 
     the protection of land along the banks of the Chattahoochee 
     in an attempt to sustain the drinking water supply for the 
     City of Atlanta and its neighbors. The initiative to protect 
     land along the Chattahoochee River is a bipartisan effort 
     which was developed out of Governor Miller's RiverCare 2000 
     program. The City of Atlanta has partnered with the Trust for 
     Public Land to negotiate donations and acquisitions along the 
     Chattahoochee River in an effort to protect a natural 
     greenway within City limits. By working in cooperation with 
     our neighbors upstream, we hope to sustain this river for 
     future generations.
       Over half of all Georgians drink from the Chattahoochee 
     River every day and this funding would help insure the 
     quality of our drinking water for generations to come. I 
     encourage you to actively support this $25 million 
     appropriation once it comes up for a vote by the House 
     Appropriations Committee.
       Thank you for your continued care for the environment and 
     the work you do for the people of Atlanta.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bill Campbell.

     

                          ____________________