[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S7429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 1159. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Army to repair and 
expand a wave attenuation system to protect fishermen and other boaters 
and promote the welfare of the town of Lubec, Maine; to the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Lubec Safe 
Harbor Act of 2001.
  Small communities up and down the coast of Maine literally depend 
upon the sea for their survival. From the rich fishing grounds that 
supply Maine's great fishing industry to the beautiful coastlines that 
draw tourist by both land and water, the sea provides Maine's coastal 
communities with their livelihoods.
  But while the sea provides life and income to Maine's coastal 
communities, it can also take back what it gives.
  One small community in Maine that has been particularly hard hit by 
the sea's fury is Lubec. In 1997, a winter storm took the lives of two 
Lubec fishermen.
  Earlier this year, storms destabilized the existing wave attenuation 
system in Lubec and consequently caused extensive damage to the Lubec 
marina. The destruction has been very difficult for this small town, 
whose existence, like many coastal Maine communities, is largely 
dependent on fishing and tourists who arrive by boat. Without the 
attenuator, the marina, the pier, and the harbor will cease to function 
effectively. Without a harbor, Lubec can neither support its fishing 
industry nor provide landing capacity for tour boats. Without a safe 
berth for their boats, the lives of Lubec's fishermen are further at 
risk.
  Today, I am introducing legislation that directs the Army Corps of 
Engineers to construct a wave attenuation system for the Town of Lubec. 
For the sake of the safety of the fishermen of Lubec and the well being 
of the community, this legislation directs the Army Corps to begin work 
immediately. My legislation authorizes $2.2 million dollars for the 
Army Corps to complete this project.
  I call upon my colleagues to recognize the urgency of this situation. 
The longer Lubec goes without a safe harbor, the greater the risk to 
the lives of Lubec's fishermen, and the greater the threat to the 
economic well-being of this coastal community. I ask my colleagues to 
help me pass this legislation as soon as possible.
  I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleague from Maine, 
Senator Snowe. I know she will also work very hard on behalf of the 
people of Lubec to see this legislation enacted.
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