[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9134-H9140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4060, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of 
Friday, September 25, 1998, I call up the conference report on the bill 
(H.R. 4060), making appropriations for energy and water development for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Friday, September 25, 1998, the conference report is considered as 
having been read.
  (For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of 
September 25, 1998, at page H8842).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) 
and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) each will control 30 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the pending legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. McDADE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to present today the 
energy and water bill to the Members of the House and to strongly urge 
and recommend that it be passed. It was perhaps the most difficult 
energy and water bill that we have ever had, principally because the 
budget that was submitted to us was inadequate from the beginning.
  In terms of real dollars, it is the lowest budget ever presented for 
construction programs of the Corps of Engineers.

                              {time}  1545

  Obviously, that required us to do a great deal of putting and taking 
to try to put together a bill that would develop the infrastructure of 
this country, protect health and safety, and keep our economy going by 
keeping our ports open and efficient.
  Given that background, Mr. Speaker, I want to say that I have been 
extraordinarily privileged, as the chairman of this subcommittee, to 
have an extraordinary group of people to work with.
  Jim Ogsbury has been my chief of staff, and one would not find a more 
faithful and bright person; Jeanne Wilson is an absolute encyclopedia 
and an intellectual dynamo; Don McKinnon is a gentleman that I have 
known for some time, and he has been extraordinarily helpful; Bruce 
Heide handled the entire Corps of Engineers budget, and obviously, from 
what I have said, he did a superb job.
  My friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio), is not 
currently on the floor because of other business, but I want to offer 
him a tribute, as well, because without his cooperation and assistance 
the bill would not be here today.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a $20.9 billion bill, in gross terms. About $4 
billion goes to the Corps of Engineers to promote public health and 
safety, et cetera. About $823 million goes to the Bureau of Reclamation 
for water projects in the west. Although there is a cut in the Bureau's 
budget, Mr. Speaker, we fully fund operation and maintenance of Bureau 
projects, to make sure that those projects are run efficiently and 
serve the public.
  $16.4 billion is appropriated to the Department of Energy. About $12 
billion is provided for defense activities and $4 billion is for 
nondefense activities. As Members of the House know, defense activities 
include the maintenance of the nuclear stockpile, using science-based 
intelligence in lieu of nuclear weapons testing, which has been 
foresworn by this country. The Department has an awesome 
responsibility, and every year must certify to the President that the 
stockpile is indeed efficient and reliable.
  On the nondefense side of bill, there is a host of energy supply 
activities, scientific research, et cetera, all of which are very 
interesting and important. The genome mapping project, the nuclear 
physics program, the high energy physics program, and other related 
programs are also funded in this bill.
  Finally, there is $126 million in for independent agencies, such as 
the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has been diligently serving 
the people of this Nation for approximately 25 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I am going to file a more lengthy statement with my 
remarks for the benefit of Members, or anyone else, who might want to 
take a look.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report 
accompanying H.R. 4060, the Energy and Walter Development 
Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 1999. Total spending in this $21 
billion measure is $388 million below the Administration's request for 
energy and water programs. The bill is within its 302(b) allocation for 
both outlays and budget authority.

[[Page H9135]]

  Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Energy and Water Bill represents 
legislation of which the entire membership of this body may be proud. 
It continues, at responsible levels, investments in public 
infrastructure, scientific research, and economic development. At the 
same time, it is a fiscally austere bill, which reduces funding for 
less productive Federal spending programs. I am pleased that the 
conferees from the House and Senate, as stewards of the taxpayers' 
hard-earned dollars, were able to strike such a responsible balance.
  The irresponsible budget request of the Administration, which slashed 
funding for the civil works program of the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, presented a considerable challenge to the committee on 
conference. If the committee on conference had accepted the 
Administration's proposal--which represented the lowest budget in the 
history of the civil works program--then scores of ongoing construction 
projects would be terminated; dozens more would be placed on fragile 
life support; project completion schedules would be extended; costs 
would rise; and contractor shutdowns would be legion. Far from adopting 
this reckless budget, however, the conference agreement appropriates 
nearly $4 billion for the Corps--an increase of $716 million above the 
budget request.
  For the construction program of the Corps, the conference agreement 
provides $1.43 billion for fiscal year 1999. While this is a modest $27 
million reduction from the House-passed level, it is an increase of 
$190 million over the Senate-passed level and an increase of $624 
million--or 77%--over the Administration's inane budget. It will ensure 
the continued effectiveness of the civil works program, which has had 
such success in protecting our communities from the devastating 
consequences of flooding and which has been so instrumental in the 
vitality of America's waterborne commerce.
  Furthermore, the conference agreement includes $1.65 billion for 
operation and maintenance of Corps of Engineers projects. This sum, 
along with the $105 million in emergency appropriations enacted earlier 
this year, will help protect our investment in critical water 
infrastructure. The agreement also provides $161 million for studies 
and investigations of Corps projects and $140 million to continue the 
Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The FUSRAP 
program was transferred from the Department of Energy to the Army Corps 
of Engineers last year amidst some controversy. I am pleased to report 
that, from all accounts, the transfer has been successful. Cleanups are 
proceeding on schedule, and we expect that the transfer will save the 
taxpayers substantial sums of money over the remaining life of the 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, the conference agreement takes a significant step in the 
downsizing of the Bureau of Reclamation. In recognition that the 
Bureau's historical mission--reclamation of the West through the 
construction of large water storage and distribution facilities--has 
largely been accomplished, the Bureau has undertaken a variety of new 
and expanded activities in recent years. These activities include: 
extensive ``partnering'' with other water resource interests, provision 
of technical assistance, water conservation and management planning, 
strategic analyses, development of integrated management programs and 
system integration alternatives, resource inventories, and 
environmental enhancements.
  The conference agreement helps control Bureau of Reclamation mission 
creep by restricting the amount of resources available for new 
activities within the capabilities of other Federal and local resource 
agencies. The agreement, however, fully funds operation, maintenance 
and rehabilitation requirements for projects throughout the country. 
Furthermore, it provides funding to continue cost-shared studies and 
investigations that have been initiated in prior years. The agreement 
reflects the Committee's intention to protect the substantial Federal 
investment in water resource infrastructure while downsizing the Bureau 
and reducing unnecessary Federal involvement in local resource 
management.
  Title III of the final conference agreement provides $16.4 billion 
for the Department of Energy (DOE). $11.86 billion--or 57% of the total 
provided in the bill--is dedicated to the atomic energy defense 
activities of DOE. Of this amount, $4.4 billion is included for weapons 
activities. Although the tensions of nuclear brinkmanship are less 
today than at any time during the Cold War, our responsibilities for 
the stewardship and maintenance of the nuclear stockpile are not. Few 
responsibilities of the Federal government are of more moment than the 
continued safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons. The Committee 
has provided generously for the execution of these responsibilities and 
has invested enormous amounts in the science-based stockpile 
stewardship program of DOE. By focusing on the simulation of nuclear 
weapons through advanced computational and laboratory capabilities, the 
program is expected to serve as a surrogate for nuclear weapons 
testing.
  The bill also provides substantial resources for the domestic energy 
supply and scientific research activities of DOE. The $2.68 billion 
provided for the Science account includes $130 million to initiate 
construction of the Spallation Neutron Source at the Oak Ridge National 
Laboratory in Tennessee. This state-of-the art neutron facility will 
help keep the United States at the forefront of biological and 
materials sciences. In addition, funds provided for the Science account 
will help realize returns on our investment in scientific facilities by 
increasing user time at such facilities and maximizing their 
utilization.
  The agreement also includes $223 million--an increase of $1.6 million 
over the budget request--for fusion energy sciences. To better reflect 
the program's transformation from one that is largely focused on 
technology development into one focused principally on basic research, 
the program has been moved out of the Energy Supply account and into 
the Science account.
  The agreement provides $727 million for Energy Supply activities of 
DOE. This includes $365.9 million for solar and renewable programs, an 
increase of $19.6 million over fiscal year 1998. In addition, nuclear 
energy programs are funded at $284 million, a reduction of $41.8 
million below the President's budget request. The conference agreement 
does provide $19 million for the nuclear energy research initiative, a 
new research program devoted to enhancing the viability of nuclear 
power through improvements in safety, efficiency, and reliability.
  The total amount appropriated for independent agencies is $125.7 
million, a decrease of $151.9 million from fiscal year 1998, and $373 
million below the President's request. Consistent with the legislation 
passed by Congress last year, no appropriations have been provided for 
the Tennessee Valley Authority. For fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, 
TVA is empowered and directed to fund stewardship activities with 
internally generated savings and revenues. Absorbing the modest costs 
of stewardship activities will have no appreciable effect on an agency 
projected to receive $6.5 billion in revenues in fiscal year 1999, and 
whose customers have enjoyed below-market rates for Federally-produced 
power for decades.
  The conference agreement also includes $66.4 million for the 
Appalachian Regional Commission, $16.5 million for the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, and $465 million for the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission. The conference agreement does include $20 million, as 
recommended by the Senate, for the Denali Commission. The agreement, 
however, makes this particular appropriation subject to authorization.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to my colleagues on the Subcommittee for 
their dedicated work on behalf of this conference agreement. Although 
there were a number of contentious issues to be resolved with the other 
body, the conferees worked in a bipartisan spirit of cooperation and 
comity to get the job done. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work 
with my talented and committed colleagues, and I thank them for their 
devoted efforts.
  I would like to pay special tribute to the Ranking Minority Member of 
the Subcommittee, the Honorable Vic Fazio. In tribute to his many years 
of service on this Subcommittee, the committee on conference has 
renamed the Yolo Basin Wetlands in California as the Vic Fazio Yolo 
Wildlife Area. Given his enormous efforts to preserve and protect this 
critical natural resource, I believe this action to be a fitting 
tribute indeed.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the conference 
agreement accompanying the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Bill for Fiscal Year 1999.

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[[Page H9138]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would begin by saying that I support passage of H.R. 
4060, the appropriation measure funding the energy and water projects 
for the United States of America for the next fiscal year.
  I particularly want to point out at this moment my particular regard 
for three of the members of the subcommittee who will not be with us 
next year because of retirements. First of all, the yeoman's service 
the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Parker) has provided to the 
subcommittee over years. I appreciate all of his efforts and the 
contributions that he has made.
  Secondly, I want to also thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Fazio) for all that he has done for his country, for this institution, 
for the committee on which we serve. The reason I am here today is the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is about the business of this 
government doing the agriculture appropriation conference for the 
committee.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I think it is a tremendous coincidence for me 
personally that the first bill that I will manage for the Democratic 
side will, as I would understand it, be the last bill that the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) will be managing on the 
Republican side.
  Having met the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) in 1977 as a 
member of a congressional staff, I must say that I am honored by the 
pure coincidence and great privilege that this is the gentleman's last 
bill and my first. It is a moment that I will remember forever, and 
also the gentleman's friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), a valued member of our 
subcommittee.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
conference report, and first I want to pay tribute to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Chairman Joe McDade) for his outstanding leadership, 
work, and cooperation. All of that is commendable, but we are very, 
very sorry to see him go. Believe me, we have appreciated having the 
gentleman's leadership here.
  I also want to thank the subcommittee staff of the Subcommittee on 
Energy and Water, who have been working on a number of important 
provisions that are in this bill.
  I just want to focus on a couple of areas where we have made, I 
think, great progress this year to clean up the former defense nuclear 
facilities. Specifically, in addition to the $4.2 billion we provided 
for defense environmental management, we provided over $1 billion for 
defense facilities closure projects, which provides funding for sites 
which have established a credible goal of completing cleanup by the end 
of fiscal year 2006.
  The major environmental management sites, both Rocky Flats in 
Colorado and Fernald, Ohio, should be closed within the criteria of 
this program. It was just 2 years ago that DOE estimated that the total 
cost of the remaining clean-up of the environmental management sites at 
between, get this, between $189 and $265 billion over a 75-year period, 
almost as large in dollar amount as the S&L bailout.
  That plan to us was unacceptable. Certainly, given the long-term 
funding outlook of all of the discretionary programs we had currently, 
entitlements and interest on the national debt constitutes, as I think 
everyone knows, about two-thirds of the budget, and in 10 to 12 years 
they are projected to consume 100 percent of the Federal revenues.
  An accelerated clean-up schedule like the defense facilities closure 
projects will enable us to close some of the sites and free up funds to 
bring about closure to the entire environmental management program.
  I also look forward to working with the new Secretary of Energy, Bill 
Richardson, and want to express the importance of closing out the 
remaining environmental management sites to him. I urge my colleagues 
to support this conference report.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Bentsen).
  (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BENTSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, Mr. 
Speaker.
  I rise in support of the conference report on H.R. 4060, the fiscal 
year 1999 energy and water appropriations bill. First, I would like to 
thank the chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) for 
his work on this bill, particularly as it relates to projects in and 
around my district in southeast Texas, and to the ranking member, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) for the work he did, as well as 
to my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards) a member of the 
subcommittee, who has done yeoman's service in looking out for the 
interests of our State.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out a couple of things. This bill 
carries forward with the funding necessary for the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers to meet the projects that were authorized, particularly the 
flood control and navigational improvements that were authorized for 
the 1996 Water Resources Development Act.
  In particular, it is important to my area just earlier this month, 
after having gone through a long drought, the greater Houston area was 
hit with tropical storm Frances, flooding many neighborhoods along the 
Brays and Sims bayous in my district.
  H.R. 4060 includes vital funding for several flood control projects, 
including those for the Brays and Sims as well as Hunting and White Oak 
bayous. I appreciate that the committee had the wisdom and foresight to 
see that the Corps got the funding that it needed for these projects.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say that the bill includes $49 million 
for the deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel, the 
Nation's second largest port in terms of tonnage. This is a major part 
of the greater Houston area economy, having an indirect and direct 
effect on about 200,000 jobs, and this deepening and widening will 
allow the port to remain competitive, as we have more and more trade 
going on out of the Texas area.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the Members of the committee, but 
particularly the chairman, who is departing, and the ranking member, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio), who is departing, and ask my 
colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference report on H.R. 4060, 
the FY 1999 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. I would first like to 
thank Chairman McDade and Ranking Member Fazio for their hard work on 
this important legislation. I would also like to thank my good friend 
from Texas, Mr. Edwards, for all the help he and his office have 
provided to projects in our state.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the decision of the Conference to 
ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receives adequate funding to 
continue their vital work in the areas of flood control and 
navigational improvements as authorized by the 1996 Water Resources 
Development Act.
  I am very pleased by the support this legislation provides for 
addressing the chronic flooding problems of Harris County, Texas. Just 
this month, southeast Texas suffered significant flooding from Tropical 
Storm Frances including neighborhoods along the Brays and Sims Bayous 
in my district. H.R. 4060, includes vital funding for several flood 
control projects in the Houston area, including Brays, Sims, and 
Hunting and White Oak Bayous, which will provide much-needed protection 
for our communities.
  I am most grateful for the subcommittee's decision to fund the Brays 
Bayou project at $4.5 million for FY '99. The Administration's FY '99 
budget did not request any funding to continue work on this critical 
flood control project. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had 
initially requested $6 million to meet FY '99 construction needs. I am 
most apreciative that the Conference was able to fund this project 
while remaining within their budgetary spending caps as specified by 
the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement.
  This project is necessary to improve flood protection for an 
extensively developed urban area along Brays Bayou in southwest Harris 
County. The project consists of 3 miles of channel improvements, three 
flood detention basins, and seven miles of stream diversion and will 
provide a 25-year level of flood protection. The project was originally 
authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of

[[Page H9139]]

1990, as part of a $400 million federal/local flood control project. 
Through Fiscal Year 1998, over $6 million has already been 
appropriated. The Harris County Flood Control District has expended 
over $21 million for preconstruction preparation in terms of land 
acquisition, easements, and relocations, plus an additional $2.5 
million in engineering and construction. As part of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1996, the project was authorized as a demonstration 
project for a new federal reimbursement program. This program is an 
effort to strengthen and enhance the Corps/Local Sponsor role by giving 
the local sponsor a lead role and providing for reimbursement by the 
Federal Government to the local sponsor for the traditional Federal 
portion of work accomplished.
  I am also most grateful for the committee's decision to fund the Sims 
Bayou project at $12 million for FY '99, which is much improved over 
the Administration's request for this project. This project is 
necessary to improve flood protection for an extensively developed 
urban area along Sims Bayou in southern Harris County. This project, 
authorized as part of the 1988 WRDA bill, consists of 19.3 miles of 
channel enlargement, rectification, and erosion control beginning at 
the mouth of the bayou at the Houston Ship Channel and will provide a 
25-year level of flood protection. This continuing project has received 
over $100 million to date in state and federal funding and is scheduled 
to be completed two years ahead of schedule in 2004.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased that this legislation provides $49 
million to fund continuing construction on the Houston Ship Channel 
expansion project. This project offers tremendous economic and 
environmental benefits and once completed, will enhance one of our 
region's most important trade and economic centers. The Houston Ship 
Channel desperately needs expansion to meet the challenges of expanding 
global trade and to maintain its competitive edge as a major 
international port. Currently, the Port of Houston is the second 
largest port in the United States in total tonnage, and is a catalyst 
for the southeast Texas economy, contributing more than $5 billion 
annually and providing 200,000 jobs.
  However, the Port's capacity to increase tonnage and create jobs is 
limited by the size of the channel. Hence the need for the Houston Ship 
Channel expansion project, which calls for deepenning the channel from 
40 to 45 feet and widening it from 400 to 530 feet. The ship channel 
modernization, considered the largest dredging project since the Panama 
Canal, will preserve the Port of Houston's status as one of the premier 
deep-channel Gulf ports and one of the top transit points for cargo in 
the world.
  Again, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their support, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the Energy 
and Water Appropriations Conference report and to commend my colleagues 
on the Conference Committee for their diligent work in bringing this 
Conference Report to the floor.
  I would like to take a moment to highlight two items in this bill 
that are important to the citizens of western Wisconsin: The Upper 
Mississippi River System Environmental Management Program and the 
LaFarge Dam, located in the Kickapoo River Valley.
  The Mighty Mississippi River runs through the heartland of our 
nation, and has been the focal point of our country's development 
throughout history. Today, Americans from 33 states live, work and play 
in its basin, and so it is only right that we recognize the Mississippi 
River as a nationally significant resource by funding programs such as 
the EMP, that serve the multi-purpose nature of this great river.
  The Mississippi River is a working river with diverse uses. It 
carries the agricultural products of our nation's midsection to foreign 
markets while providing habitat for fish, wildlife and migrating 
waterfowl. Boaters and anglers use the rivers backwaters and side 
channels for a wide variety of recreational activities.
  During this congress, I have worked with Rep. Oberstar, Rep. Leach 
and Rep. Gutknecht to form the bipartisan Upper Mississippi River Task 
Force. Sixteen members of Congress--eight members from each side of the 
aisle--have joined together, to recognize the national importance of 
the navigational, recreational, and environmental benefits this nation 
enjoys because of a healthy, vibrant Mississippi River. The Upper 
Mississippi River Task Force has repeatedly voiced its unwavering 
support for fully funding the EMP. I thank the members of the Task 
Force for their bipartisanship, diligence and perseverance in 
supporting our nation's interest in the Mississippi River.
  The EMP is unique in its multi-agency and multi-state cooperation in 
addressing the diverse needs of the resource. This Appropriations bill 
provides $18.9 million for the long-term resources monitoring and 
habitat restoration and enhancement efforts of the EMP. I commend the 
Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. 
Geological Survey, and the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, 
Minnesota and Missouri for their participation in such a successful 
program.
  This appropriations bill also provides $2.8 million in much needed 
funding for the LaFarge Dam project in my district in Western 
Wisconsin. The Water Resources Development Act of 1996 provisionally 
deauthorized the Army Corps of Engineers' La Farge Dam Project, located 
on the Kickapoo River in western Wisconsin. It also called for the 
transfer of ownership 8700 acres to the State of Wisconsin and Ho-Chunk 
Indian Nation.
  This funding will provide the Army Corps of Engineers the resources 
it needs to continue the relocation of a state highway, conduct an 
environmental clean-up of reserve land, make safety modifications to 
the site, and address cultural resources issues in compliance with 
federal law. This funding will finally make the Kickapoo Reserve 
accessible to hikers, canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts for generations 
to come.
  I applaud the Appropriations Committee for its diligence in 
protecting these priorities and providing the financial resources we 
need to preserve and protect the integrity of our nation's most 
treasured natural resources, our nation's rivers.
  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, with the adoption today of the 
conference report on H.R. 4060, the Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations, I would like to express my sincere 
gratitude to the House and Senate conferees for the inclusion of $14 
million for the West Columbus Floodwall Project. Each year, as the 
appropriations process unfolds in Congress, I have made budget requests 
for the Floodwall Project, and have closely monitored the process to 
ensure that it receives the funding it needs. I remain committed toward 
achieving this goal. The $14 million included in this conference report 
will allow this project to proceed on-schedule and on-budget.
  The threat of a major flood disaster continues to loom Columbus and 
Central Ohio. In 1913, 1937, and 1959, melting snow and heavy rains 
caused the Scioto River to overflow its banks. The resulting 
catastrophic floods caused the loss of many lives, destroyed homes and 
businesses, and damaged millions of dollars worth of residential and 
commercial property. Until the Floodwall Project is completed, the 
potential for a major flood disaster will continue to threaten 
citizens, homes, and businesses located in the very heart of downtown 
Columbus that borders the Scioto River. Currently, approximately 17,000 
residents continue to be placed at risk of life, injury, and hardship. 
Should a 100-year frequency flood occur prior to completion of the 
project, the damages are estimated at $365 million and should a 500-
year flood occur, the damages are estimated to exceed $455 million.
  While risk to human life and safety is of paramount concern, 
completion of the Floodwall will also permit important new development 
along the Columbus riverfront. Columbus is now the largest city in Ohio 
and the sixteenth largest city in the United States. Its economy is 
strong and the city is experiencing rapid growth. New construction in 
the downtown riverfront area, however, will not be able to proceed 
until the Floodwall construction is completed. Without the important 
protection of the Floodwall, this looming risk will deter future 
business and housing development, economic growth, infrastructure 
improvements, and recreational opportunities in the city. Currently, 
flood plain zoning restrictions continue to remain in place for 5,520 
residences and 650 non-residential structures, as well as the future 
development of 2,800 acres. It is, therefore, imperative to the city's 
growth and economic health that the Floodwall Project continue on 
schedule. Therefore, it is not only the safety of Columbus residents 
and businesses, but also the future growth of the city's downtown which 
depends on the timely completion of this important project.
  On behalf of those that continue to live with the threat of a major 
disaster in Columbus and Central Ohio, let me again thank all the 
Members for their assistance on this very important project.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise with specific concerns regards the 
Energy and Water Appropriation measure. When conference with the Senate 
was sought the full House accepted my instruction which put the House 
on record in opposition to the Senate provision regards the Denali 
Commission which provided the authorization of an economic development 
commission with such sums as necessary and then topped it off with a 
$20 million appropriation. Little was understood, surely no hearings 
and no clear concept of what the purpose and cost would be were 
understood with the Senate language. The House on a voice vote said no 
to this policy path and process by accepting the veto instruction.
  In conference I understand that the Senate advocate insisted upon 
this provision and that

[[Page H9140]]

the best the House conferees could do was to fence, to subject to 
authorization the $20 million that was included in the final conference 
that we are being asked to agree to today.
  I must say I'm disappointed with this result and hope that the House 
can forestall and quick action to free up this $20 million solely for 
Alaska. This state has a significant oil reserve and billions in 
revenue that flows exclusively to the residents that have no income tax 
and little in other state-wide taxes that prevail in the other forty 
nine states. Alaska should look first to its own resources for the 
purposes anticipated by this commission provision and Congress should 
not short cut the normal process of open hearing and a good 
understanding of the topic. Nevertheless, we should and I'm hopeful 
that given the chance to review and limit this policy that the Congress 
would act responsibly. Therefore, I intend to vote for this measure 
with the hope that the intent of a true authorization, a complete 
evaluation, approved by the Congress is going to be implemented.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Conference 
Report on H.R. 4060, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act for FY 1999. Included in this important conference report is an 
appropriation for the continued dredging project for the Houston Ship 
Channel. This has been a long time coming and we have all worked very 
hard to get to this point.
  The expansion of the Houston Ship Channel is important on many 
levels. The Port of Houston, connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the 53-
mile ship channel, is the busiest U.S. port in foreign tonnage, second 
in domestic tonnage and the world's eighth busiest U.S. port overall. 
With more than 6,435 vessels navigating the channel annually and an 
anticipated increase over the next few years, the widening of the 
channel from 400 to 520 feet and its deepening from 40 to 45 feet is a 
necessary step in safeguarding the economic viability of the port and 
the City of Houston.
  The port provides $5.5 billion in annual business revenues and 
creates 196,000 direct and indirect jobs in our communities. By 
generating $300 million annually to the federal government from customs 
fees generated by port activities and $213 million annually in state 
and local taxes, this Ship Channel dredging project will more than pay 
for itself.
  We have made a good first step. For Fiscal Year 1998, the Congress 
approved $20 million to begin construction. With the leadership and 
dedication of my colleagues, Chairman Joseph McDade and ranking Member 
Vic Fazio, as well as Congressman Chet Edwards, we have secured $49 
million for fiscal year 1999.
  We still have a lot of work to ensure that the deepening and widening 
project remains on schedule. Working together, I know we will be 
successful.
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4017, 
the Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998. The bill supports 
the continued funding of worthy programs that stemmed from the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act and the Energy Conservation and Production 
Act. During the mark-up of H.R. 4017 in the Commerce Committee, the 
bill was amended to include a provision that would make our Nation less 
dependent on foreign oil supplies by promoting the use of biodiesel 
fuel in the Federal Government.
  I am proud to rise as a cosponsor of a provision that will provide 
credit for those who consume the biodiesel blend, B-20, an alternative 
fuel. Currently, Federal, local, and municipal agencies must add 
alternatively fueled vehicles to their fleets. B-20 is an easily-
accessible alternative fuel that is a combination of many of the farm 
products produced in southern Ohio. The bill authorizes fleet managers 
using biodiesel in their motor vehicles to receive credit toward the 
requirements for alternatively fueled vehicles established under 
current law.
  Of equal importance is the positive effect this bill will have on 
farming communities across the country including those in the Sixth 
Congressional District of Ohio. This bill supports farm incomes by 
increasing demand for soybeans, natural fats, and other farm products. 
This measure is critical, given the current economic woes of farmers in 
Ohio and the rest of this country. H.R. 4017 does not create any new 
mandates on covered fleets, and actually provides fleet operators 
greater flexibility in compliance with existing law. The Energy 
Conservation Reauthorization Act modified the purchase requirement 
program to reward the use of alternative fuel sources. In sum, the bill 
promotes U.S. energy security and regulatory flexibility while 
assisting America's farmers.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Without objection, the 
previous question is ordered on the conference report.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the conference report.
  Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XV, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I, further proceedings on this question 
will be postponed.

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