[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CLEAN WATERS AND BAYS ACT OF 2000

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                               speech of

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2000

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleagues on the 
Transportation Committee for bringing this measure before the House. 
Earlier today the House adopted our colleague Wayne Gilchrest's Estuary 
Habitat Restoration bill. That bill provides an additional source of 
funds from the Corps of Engineers, in consultation with other Federal 
agencies, to restore the environmental health of our estuaries. As you 
know, most of the major estuaries in the United States have prepared 
plans under National Estuary Program to conserve and manage important 
estuary resources. Unfortunately, funds to implement those plans, 
particularly the expensive restoration components have been hard to 
come by. Wayne's bill, in conjunction with provisions that I authored 
which are also included in this package, will help address that 
problem.
  The provisions that I originally introduced as H.R. 1237 were passed 
by the House in May, and I am glad to see that they are again included 
in this estuary package. H.R. 1237 authorizes the funds to implement, 
in addition to just prepare, National Estuary Program plans. This is 
particularly important in my district where the Barnegat Bay Estuary is 
surrounded by a densely populated area. This high volume of land and 
water use makes wise and active management essential to protect and 
preserve the estuary's important ecological values. The Barnegat Bay 
Estuary Program has prepared a plan that I believe is up to the task of 
wise and active management, but only if it is implemented. Passage of 
this legislation, including H.R. 1237, is needed to assure that funds 
for implementation are available.
  I also commend the Committee for including in this package the 
Chesapeake Bay Program reauthorization provisions written by our late 
friend from Virginia, Herb Bateman. The Chesapeake Bay defined his 
congressional district, and it is only right that we make sure his bill 
becomes law this year.
  Estuaries fuel the growth of our fisheries and provide us with many 
recreational opportunities. However, the qualities that make them so 
special must be actively and aggressively guarded. This bill gives the 
tools we need to provide that protection. I urge my colleagues to 
support it this evening.

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