[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E418-E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


INTRODUCTION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AND ESTUARY RESTORATION ACT

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                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Water 
Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Act being re-introduced today 
by the gentlelady from New York, Mrs. Lowey, and gentlelady from 
Connecticut, Ms. DeLauro. I compliment and applaud my colleagues for 
their untiring efforts on behalf of our Nation's valuable fresh and 
estuarine water bodies.

[[Page E419]]

  Mr. Speaker, the protection of America's lakes, rivers, streams, and 
near coastal waters should indeed be one of our top concerns as a 
Nation, and I am proud and honored to be an original cosponsor of this 
important piece of legislation. The DeLauro-Lowey bill is a reasonable, 
straightforward measure that seeks to build upon past successes under 
the Clean Water Act (CWA). This measure will continue and strengthen 
several progressive programs to protect and enhance water bodies 
throughout our country, and I urge my colleagues to support this common 
sense and cost effective means of cleaning-up and protecting our water 
resources.
  The DeLauro-Lowey bill will ensure that the existing State Revolving 
Loan Fund (SRF) program continues to be adequately funded to provide 
the financial wherewithal for States and municipalities to maintain and 
upgrade their wastewater treatment facilities to protect America's 
water bodies. This program has achieved tremendous success in the past 
and clearly deserves to be maintained and enhanced.
  While fresh water is important for life itself, and clean lakes and 
rivers provide a multitude of recreational benefits to society, the 
vitality of our estuaries is also of great importance. Estuaries, near 
coastal waters, play a dual function of protecting coastal lands as 
well as serving as the all important nursery grounds for most marine 
species. Of course, these waters also provide many important 
recreational activities.
  The Congresswomen's legislation will serve to strengthen the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's existing National Estuary Program 
(NEP) that is widely regarded as a model for watershed-based pollution 
control. In addition, the legislation will clarify EPA's responsibility 
to assist States in developing and implementing their estuary 
management plans.
  Mr. Speaker, as the Representative of the 7th Congressional District 
of New York, which includes a substantial portion of the Long Island 
Sound coastline, and a Member of the House Committee on Resources, I 
can think of few efforts more important to our environment. I intend to 
work closely with Congresswoman Lowey and Congresswoman DeLauro to 
ensure we enact this vital measure into law early on in the 106th 
Congress.

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