[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FREEWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY A FLY

  (Mr. CALVERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973 
was well-intentioned legislation. But the Fish and Wildlife Service, 
especially in California, is working outside of the ESA and undermining 
the original intent.
  The Galena Interchange is a freeway construction project in my 
district that is being held hostage by the Delhi Sands flower-loving 
fly. The Galena Interchange is not an expansive new highway program. We 
are not talking about building a new six-lane highway. It is a simple 
project connecting Interstate 15 to Galena Street, and it has received 
$20 million in Federal, State and local funds last year to correct the 
commuters' nightmare.
  After plans have been designed and the funds allocated, Fish and 
Wildlife claims that the county needs to establish a preserve for the 
Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and wants as many as 200 acres of the 
Inland Empire's priciest industrial lands for habitat mitigation. Two 
hundred acres could cost as much as $32 million, 32 million for a $20 
million project. On top of all this, not one fly has been found in this 
area. Apparently the Branch Chief of the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife 
Office heard the buzz of the fly but did not see it and now wants $32 
million.
  We need common sense reform. Support this legislation.

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