[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2007, AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 
   ARMY TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDS CONTRIBUTED BY NON-FEDERAL PUBLIC 
             ENTITIES TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF PERMITS

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                               speech of

                            HON. BRIAN BAIRD

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2005

  Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Subcommittee on 
Water Resources and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 
expediting the passage of H.R. 3765, a commonsense bill that will save 
jobs and continue to promote economic growth.
  I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Senator Murray and 
Senator Cantwell for their efforts in reaching a compromise with their 
colleagues and ensuring swift passage by the Senate. Although I was 
hoping for a longer extension of section 214, I was pleased that both 
Chambers were able to pass a temporary fix before the delay caused 
irreparable economic damage to the Pacific Northwest.
  I have been a strong proponent of the section 214 provision since its 
enactment in WRDA 2000. This provision permits non-federal public 
entities to contribute funds to the Army Corps of Engineers to help 
expedite the processing of corps permits. In the Pacific Northwest, we 
have seen the backlog of permits grow to over 1,000 in past years and 
seen the residual effect that this has on our region's economy. This 
provision has allowed municipalities and ports to move forward with 
vital infrastructure projects. By funding additional staff to work on 
specific, time-intensive permits, existing corps' staff is freed up to 
work on the backlog. It is important to emphasize that these entities 
providing funding are given no partiality by the corps in their review 
of the project.
  This provision was extended in 2003 in the FY04 Energy and Water 
appropriations bill, and expired on September 30. The temporary 
extension passed today, will allow the Army Corps to continue section 
214 projects until this bill expires on March 31, 2006. It is my hope 
that we can permanently extend this provision by passing WRDA this 
year, a bill that is long overdue for reauthorization.
  Additionally, some of my colleagues have expressed interest in a 
thorough study of the use of section 214, and I would urge these 
efforts to be expedited. It is my view that a report by the GAO to 
study the effectiveness of this program in the Pacific Northwest would 
only yield valuable information that can be used to improve and, 
perhaps, expand the program.
  I am proud to be the primary sponsor of this bill and have the 
endorsement of the entire Washington State delegation. I thank my 
colleagues for their vote to pass this bill today and promptly send it 
to the President for enactment.

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