[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 125 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE ``LAKE PONCHARTRAIN BASIN RESTORATION ACT OF 1999''

  Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor with my 
colleague from Louisiana, Senator Mary Landrieu, the ``Lake 
Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999,'' S. 1621. Our goal for 
this bill is clear and straightforward: to help with the ongoing 
restoration of the Lake Ponchartrain Basin.
  As one of the largest estuarine systems in the nation and the largest 
one on the Gulf Coast, restoration of the basin merits federal 
assistance.
  Pollution problems accumulated in the basin for years. The clean up 
of the watershed has been under way for about a decade, but more work 
remains to be done.
  Spearheading the current restoration has been the Lake Ponchartrain 
Basin Foundation, created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1989. Since 
then, the Foundation has implemented 38 water quality, habitat and 
education programs and projects.
  Coordination and cooperation have been hallmarks of the basin 
restoration initiative. The State of Louisiana, local governments and 
officials, citizens, businesses, universities and federal agencies all 
have contributed to it.
  Three key basin-area institutions have allied themselves and have 
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to help facilitate the 
basin's restoration.
  These organizations include the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation; 
the Regional Planning Commission, consisting of Orleans, Jefferson, 
Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes; and the University 
of New Orleans.
  The legislative initiative which Senator Landrieu and I have 
undertaken has been assembled through these organizations' leadership.
  Is the basin better off today than it has been for many years? Are 
there obvious signs of improvement? Has the grassroots campaign of the 
past 10 years been successful?
  In 1995, pelicans were spotted again and their numbers are on the 
increase. In 1998, a sea turtle appeared, as well as two manatees. Now 
there are four manatees. This year, dolphins have been seen for the 
first time in 40 years.
  The pelicans, manatees, dolphins and a sea turtle confirm that the 
hard work and commitment of citizens, the state and the local 
governments have improved the basin. With these successes in hand, it 
is vital to the basin's 5,000 square-mile ecosystem that the 
restoration work continue as vigorously as it has to this point.
  The bill which Senator Landrieu and I have introduced would authorize 
a federal Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Program, to be housed at 
the Environmental Protection Agency. A key component of the bill would 
be the authorization of federal funds for the restoration program. As 
important, the bill would direct the Federal Government to coordinate 
the restoration with the State and local agencies and organizations.
  To carry out the Federal restoration program, the EPA would be 
directed to establish the Lake Ponchartrain Executive Council. Council 
members would include the EPA, the State of Louisiana, the Regional 
Planning Commission, the University of New Orleans, and the Lake 
Ponchartrain Basin Foundation.
  The EPA, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, the State and 
local authorities, would assist the Council with the preparation of a 
comprehensive, multi-use watershed management plan to restore and 
protect the basin.
  Federal grant funds and technical assistance would be available 
through the EPA. Certain planning, research, monitoring and voluntary 
restoration projects would be eligible for funding. In accordance with 
the management plan, the voluntary restoration projects would address 
various waste, runoff, discharge and water quality problems to improve 
the basin's watershed.
  Also to be authorized for continued priority funding would be the New 
Orleans Inflow and Infiltration Project.
  Lake Ponchartrain, the basin's namesake, is located in its midst. The 
lake plays a vital environmental, economic and quality of life role for 
the 1.5 million people who live around it in 16 Louisiana parishes. A 
630 square-mile body of water, the lake is a major beneficiary of the 
basin's restoration.
  Other beneficiaries of the restoration program would be the many 
species of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and plants which are found in 
the basin.
  Federal assistance should be provided for a watershed program of this 
size and impact to assist with the cost of the voluntary restoration 
projects as well as planning, research, and monitoring projects.
  I commend all those who have organized and implemented the current 
basin restoration program over the past decade. They have given so much 
of their time, energy and support to make the basin environmentally 
healthier today than it has been for many years. All of them deserve 
the highest tribute and recognition.
  It is my privilege and honor to serve on behalf of citizens who 
recognize a serious problem and work cooperatively to solve it and also 
to introduce legislation which would help them continue such a major 
undertaking.
  For these reasons, I have joined with Senator Landrieu in 
cosponsoring the ``Lake Ponchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999.'' I 
urge the Senate's prompt consideration of the bill and look forward to 
working with other Senators on behalf of its passage.
  I thank the Chair.

                          ____________________