[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REINTRODUCTION OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP ACT

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Long Island 
Sound Stewardship Act, legislation introduced today by the entire Long 
Island Sound Caucus.
  There have been a lot of disputes and arguments between Connecticut 
and New York about Long Island Sound over the years. And there are 
still some issues out there, but this bill sets the right tone for the 
debates that we may have about the Sound this year.
  This legislation is desperately needed. The Long Island Sound is 
among the most sensitive natural resources in the Nation. Ten percent 
of the country's population lives within 50 miles of the Sound. The 
shoreline is highly developed, which makes it tough to balance habitat 
maintenance, water quality and access to the Sound. The Sound is also a 
vital commercial area, providing an economic benefit of more than $5 
billion to the economy of the region.
  If enacted, the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act will be a model 
public-private partnership that will improve management of one of the 
country's most important estuaries. The bill will protect some of the 
area's most threatened shoreline, using good science--not politics--as 
the means of directing federal and state dollars. Participation in the 
stewardship program is voluntary, meaning that private property owners' 
rights will be respected. Our bill brings together the Sound's numerous 
stakeholders--fishermen, conservationists, property owners and 
recreational users--to ensure that the Long Island Sound cleanup 
continues for generations to come.
  I urge my colleagues to allow this legislation to be considered 
during the 109th Congress.

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