[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2555-H2557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 673, FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUALITY 
                        IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2000

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, 
I call up House Resolution 483 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 483

       Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule 
     XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the 
     Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of 
     the bill (H.R. 673) to authorize the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the Florida 
     Keys Aqueduct Authority and other appropriate agencies for 
     the purpose of improving water quality throughout the marine 
     ecosystem of the Florida Keys. The first reading of the bill 
     will be dispensed with. Points of order against consideration 
     of the bill for failure to comply with clause 4(a) of rule 
     XIII are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill 
     and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled 
     by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure. After general debate 
     the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-
     minute rule. It shall be in order to consider

[[Page H2556]]

     as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 
     five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
     recommended by the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure now printed in the bill. The committee 
     amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered 
     as read. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the 
     Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in 
     recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an 
     amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the 
     Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 
     of rule XVIII. Amendments so printed shall be considered as 
     read. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may: (1) 
     postpone until a time during further consideration in the 
     Committee of the Whole a request for a recorded vote on any 
     amendment; and (2) reduce to five minutes the minimum time 
     for electronic voting on any postponed question that follows 
     another electronic vote without intervening business, 
     provided that the minimum time for electronic voting on the 
     first in any series of questions shall be 15 minutes. At the 
     conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the 
     Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with 
     such amendments as may have been adopted. Any Member may 
     demand a separate vote in the House on any amendment adopted 
     in the Committee of the Whole to the bill or to the committee 
     amendment in the nature of a substitute. The previous 
     question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and 
     amendments thereto to final passage without intervening 
     motion except one motion to recommit with or without 
     instructions.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield 
the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York 
(Ms. Slaughter); pending which I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is 
for the purpose of debate only.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 483 is an open rule, providing for the 
consideration of H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements 
Act of 2000. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate, equally 
divided between the chairman and the ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  The rule waives clause 4(a) of Rule XIII, requiring a 3-day layover 
of the committee report against consideration of the bill. The rule 
also makes in order the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which 
shall be open for amendment at any point.
  The rule allows the chairman of the Committee of the Whole to 
postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting 
time to 5 minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a 15-
minute vote.
  In addition, Members who have preprinted their amendments in the 
Record prior to their consideration will be given priority in 
recognition to offer their amendment if otherwise consistent with House 
rules. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit with or 
without instructions.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this open rule which provides 
for the full and fair consideration of the Florida Keys Water Quality 
Improvements Act. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this very important 
legislation, which authorizes grants for wastewater and storm water 
management projects to address the need for infrastructure improvements 
in the beautiful Florida Keys.
  I am extremely proud of the Florida Keys, a unique marine environment 
which includes the only living coral reef barrier ecosystem in North 
America. This chain of over 800 individual islands, or keys, provides 
significant recreational and commercial opportunities and are a 
favorite among scuba divers, anglers, bird watchers, and tourists of 
all kinds.
  In 1990, Congress passed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 
and Protection Act, which directed the EPA and the State of Florida to 
establish a water quality steering committee for the sanctuary and 
develop a comprehensive water quality protection program.
  That steering committee identified inadequate wastewater and storm 
water management systems as the largest man-made sources of pollution 
in the near shore waters off the Florida Keys. The cost of needed 
wastewater improvements is between $184 to $418 million, and the cost 
of necessary storm water management proposals is between $370 and $680 
million.
  This legislation, which will help preserve our national treasure, 
authorizes $212 million in EPA grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct 
Authority, or other agencies of the State of Florida or of Monroe 
County, for projects to replace inadequate wastewater treatment systems 
and establish, replace, or improve storm water systems in Monroe 
County, Florida; and it requires that the non-Federal cost share for 
projects carried out under this bill shall be not less than 25 percent 
of the total.
  I believe it is entirely appropriate for there to be a Federal role 
in cleaning up and preserving the delicate ecosystem in the Florida 
Keys National Marine Sanctuary so that our children and their children, 
as well as generations of visitors from throughout the world, may be 
able to enjoy this extraordinary living coral reef barrier ecosystem, 
the only one in North America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of both this open rule and the 
underlying legislation, H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality 
Improvements Act of 2000.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1045

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this rule that allows Members to offer all 
germane amendments to the underlying bill, the Florida Keys Water 
Improvements Act, H.R. 673.
  The underlying bill is completely noncontroversial and goes a long 
way toward protecting the Florida Keys. As many in this body already 
know, the Florida Keys are a spectacular chain of 800 independent 
islands located southeast of Florida.
  The Keys are a unique and nationally significant marine environment 
and include North America's only living coral barrier reef ecosystem. 
But with rapid population growth, the Keys have begun to experience 
significant water quality problems.
  In 1990, Congress passed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 
and Protection Act designating the Florida Keys National Marine 
Sanctuary. That Act directed EPA and the State of Florida to develop a 
comprehensive water quality protection program for the Sanctuary.
  Since that time, the EPA and other Federal and State and local 
agencies have identified wastewater infrastructure improvements as the 
single most important investment to improve the water quality around 
the Florida Keys.
  Improvement of storm water management in the area of the Florida Keys 
is also needed to reduce pollutant loadings from largely uncontrolled 
storm water runoff from existing development.
  This Act provides the Federal share of funds for projects to replace 
these inadequate wastewater treatment systems that are damaging the 
Keys. These funds will supplement commitment by the State of Florida 
and Monroe County, Florida, for planning and construction of wastewater 
and storm water projects.
  H.R. 673 would authorize appropriations of $213 million over the 
2001-2005 period for this new grant program.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not oppose this open rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), my distinguished colleague, the 
vice-chairman of the Committee on Rules, a fighter for the environment, 
and one of the leading advocates for environmental causes in this 
Congress and especially in Florida.
  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from 
Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for his kind words and for his action on this 
rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I remember very well back in the old days when we had a 
merchant marine and fisheries committee and Dante Fascell came forward

[[Page H2557]]

with this. And in the tradition of Mr. Fascell and the delegation 
working together, it has come to fruition.
  I congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) and all the 
rest of the delegation and, of course, the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Chairman Shuster) and his committee for bringing us forward to this 
date.
  This is a continuum of efforts to protect one of the most unique, 
captivating, spectacular resources we have in the United States of 
America, the Florida Keys.
  This is complementary to the efforts that this body has taken with 
regard to the Everglades and protection of Florida Bay. This is an 
investment. That is well worthwhile.
  If my colleagues have not visited the Florida Keys, they should. If 
they have visited the Florida Keys, they will understand why this is 
necessary legislation.
  I urge support of this rule and support of the legislation.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), a distinguished leader, who, in 
the short period of time he has been in Congress, has already left 
quite a mark on a number of critical issues to South Florida.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-
Balart), a member of the Committee on Rules, for his leadership as 
well. He is from South Florida and has undertaken to represent that 
community and the entirety of the State and the Nation in a very 
competent fashion.
  I first want to thank the chairman and also thank especially our 
colleague from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) who has spearheaded this 
legislation which is vital, obviously, to the Florida Keys and to 
thank, as well, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the 
chairman of the committee, for endeavoring to bring this bill to the 
floor.
  Mr. Speaker, we have heard quite a bit today about the importance of 
this bill and the positive impact it will have on the delicate marine 
ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
  I appreciate the comments made by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Goss) and urge people to please make their vacation plans to visit this 
pristine, wonderful part of Florida. I know they will not be 
disappointed. As my colleague clearly stated, those who have been there 
fully understand the magnitude and magnificence not only of the region 
but of the necessity for the bill.
  The Federal Government has recognized the importance of this system 
by naming it the National Marine Sanctuary. But it currently is in 
jeopardy. For too long, inadequate storm water management systems and 
wastewater treatment systems have allowed pollutants to mar this 
national treasure.
  I might also add, we have a similar experience around Lake Okeechobee 
because of septic tanks and other things that were causing and are 
causing the degradation of the environment.
  While we are here today to talk about the Keys, I also want to call 
to the attention of Members of Congress other waterways and other water 
bodies which would clearly have a significance and could actually use 
the model that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) has established 
today to help deal with other areas and other consequences.
  But what impact will this problem have if left unchecked on the rest 
of us? Over 2 million people visit this beautiful area each year. But 
because of the inadequate infrastructure, what was once clear and 
beautiful water is now discolored. Beaches are often closed and public 
health officials warn against swimming near the shores. This poses a 
public health threat and a threat to the livelihood of many of the 
Keys' full-time residents.
  The Florida Keys marine ecosystem is intrinsically linked with the 
Greater South Florida ecosystem, including our national park, the 
Florida Everglades. In devoting resources towards the restoration of 
this important ecosystem, we must ensure that a coordinated effort is 
undertaken so that the best environmental and fiscal outcome can be 
achieved for all concerned.
  We have agreed that there is a problem by establishing the Water 
Quality Protection Program Steering Committee. This committee has 
proposed, as directed by the Congress, a comprehensive program to 
ensure water quality and protection embodied in this resolution, H.R. 
673.
  The State of Florida and the Monroe County Commission have 
demonstrated their commitment to this solution.
  Let us pass this legislation and demonstrate the commitment of this 
Congress to preserving the beauty of the Florida Keys National Marine 
Sanctuary for all Americans.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I too wish to add my voice of congratulations to the 
distinguished gentleman from the Florida Keys (Mr. Deutsch) who has 
worked so hard on this critical issue, as well as all the other 
colleagues who have worked on this matter, which is of such importance 
to that extraordinary treasure, national treasure, which is the Florida 
Keys.
  I urge my colleagues to support this open rule, to support the 
underlying very important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the 
previous question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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