[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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