[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2507]]
             FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3963, to 
reauthorize the Long Island Sound Restoration Act through 2010.
  The Long Island Sound is a 16,000 square foot estuary that is home to 
10 percent of the Nation's population. The Sound provides $6 billion to 
the Connecticut and New York economies through recreational activities, 
commercial boating and fishing, and trade. The New Haven, Bridgeport, 
and New London ports bring national and international trade to our 
region, and this valuable economic and environmental resource must be 
protected. Reauthorizing LISRA will enable us to do that.
  One of the greatest threats to the Long Island Sound is excessive 
nitrogen loading that causes hypoxia or low dissolved oxygen in the 
water that reduces the amount of healthy habitat necessary to support 
fish and shellfish. This is a problem that can be combated by upgrading 
sewage treatment plants to remove nitrogen from waste water, and 
Connecticut, New York, and the Environmental Protection Agency have 
committed to reducing nitrogen levels in the Sound by over 50 percent 
by 2014. This strong commitment, however, costs money, and cannot be 
accomplished without the reauthorization of LISRA.
  Through 2004, Connecticut received $7.8 million in federal funding to 
assist in nitrogen cleanup, and it expects to receive an additional 
$1.9 million for 2005. Connecticut has invested over $150 million of 
its own money to upgrade sewage treatment plants, and will continue to 
do so with the help of LISRA. Six communities in my district--Ansonia, 
Derby, Naugatuck, New Haven, Waterbury, and West Haven--have benefited 
from LISRA funding, but they cannot complete these much needed upgrades 
without federal help.
  Mr. Speaker, the Long Island Sound is a unique body of water--one of 
our most precious natural resources--and it must be protected. I urge 
the passage of this bill.

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