[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 58 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             GULF OF MEXICO RESTORATION AND PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I have been pleased to join with my 
distinguished colleagues, Senator Martinez and Senator Landrieu, in 
introducing bipartisan legislation that will take a very significant 
step forward in restoring and protecting the Gulf of Mexico.
  I want to highlight how important the Gulf of Mexico is to our 
country. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the 
world, and the Gulf region covers approximately 600,000 square miles. 
The Gulf of Mexico contains 7 of this Nation's top 10 ports in terms of 
tonnage or cargo value, 4 of the top 7 fishing ports in the Nation, 
yields more finfish, shrimp, and shellfish annually than the south and 
mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake, and New England areas combined, and supports 
a $20 billion annual tourism industry.
  Sadly, over many years, the resource productivity and water quality 
of the Gulf of Mexico and its watershed have been diminished by 
nonpoint source pollution largely resulting from pollutant transport 
along the nearly 2,300-mile-long Mississippi River. I believe many 
Americans would be surprised to know that the Environmental Protection 
Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program, the only Federal program solely 
focused on protecting the health and productivity of the Gulf of 
Mexico, is neither authorized nor adequately funded to perform critical 
program functions vital to protecting and restoring one of this 
country's greatest natural resources.
  The Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act will authorize the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program to undertake 
specific nonregulatory functions, and authorize annual appropriations 
to support activities designed to improve Gulf of Mexico water quality 
and marine resource productivity. With an 18-year track record of 
success, the Gulf of Mexico Program proves that it is not only possible 
but also practical to manage our natural resources through 
collaborative, nonregulatory approaches that leverage support, 
resources, and capabilities from Federal, State, nonprofit, and private 
sector partners. Unfortunately, the Gulf of Mexico Program is 
struggling with a very limited budget and a staff comprised largely of 
people ``on loan'' from other Federal agencies. The historic storm 
season of 2005 gravely worsened the situation by placing increased 
demand on the program's technical services, and I expect this pressure 
will continue to rise as the gulf coast rebuilds.
  I commend the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program and its Federal, State, 
nonprofit, and private sector partners for doing so much with so little 
for so long. However, it is impractical to expect this to continue in 
perpetuity. Now is the time to take actions to ensure the Gulf of 
Mexico is protected for continued economic productivity, recreation, 
and to make certain this great water body remains a place of beauty and 
enjoyment for current and future generations.




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