[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7644-H7648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP ACT OF 2006

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5160) to establish the Long Island Sound Stewardship 
Initiative, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5160

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Long Island Sound 
     Stewardship Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) Long Island Sound is a national treasure of great 
     cultural, environmental, and ecological importance;
       (2) 8,000,000 people live within the Long Island Sound 
     watershed and 28,000,000 people (approximately 10 percent of 
     the population of the United States) live within 50 miles of 
     Long Island Sound;
       (3) activities that depend on the environmental health of 
     Long Island Sound contribute more than $5,000,000,000 each 
     year to the regional economy;
       (4) the portion of the shoreline of Long Island Sound that 
     is accessible to the general public (estimated at less than 
     20 percent of the total shoreline) is not adequate to serve 
     the needs of the people living in the area;
       (5) existing shoreline facilities are in many cases 
     overburdened and underfunded;
       (6) large parcels of open space already in public ownership 
     are strained by the effort to balance the demand for 
     recreation with the needs of sensitive natural resources;
       (7) approximately 1/3 of the tidal marshes of Long Island 
     Sound have been filled, and much of the remaining marshes 
     have been ditched, diked, or impounded, reducing the 
     ecological value of the marshes; and
       (8) much of the remaining exemplary natural landscape is 
     vulnerable to further development.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the 
     Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative to identify, 
     protect, and enhance upland sites within the Long Island 
     Sound ecosystem with significant ecological, educational, 
     open space, public access, or recreational value through a 
     bi-State network of sites best exemplifying these values.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act, the following definitions apply:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
       (2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' 
     means the Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee 
     established by section 8.
       (3) Region.--The term ``Region'' means the Long Island 
     Sound Stewardship Initiative Region established by section 
     4(a).
       (4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the States of 
     Connecticut and New York.
       (5) Stewardship.--The term ``stewardship'' means land 
     acquisition, land conservation agreements, site planning, 
     plan implementation, land and habitat management, public 
     access improvements, site monitoring, and other activities 
     designed to enhance and preserve natural resource-based 
     recreation and ecological function of upland areas.
       (6) Stewardship site.--The term ``stewardship site'' means 
     any area of State, local, or tribal government, or privately 
     owned land within the Region that is designated by the 
     Administrator under section 5(a).
       (7) Systematic site selection.--The term ``systematic site 
     selection'' means a process of selecting stewardship sites 
     that--
       (A) has explicit goals, methods, and criteria;
       (B) produces feasible, repeatable, and defensible results;

[[Page H7645]]

       (C) provides for consideration of natural, physical, and 
     biological patterns;
       (D) addresses replication, connectivity, species viability, 
     location, and public recreation values;
       (E) uses geographic information systems technology and 
     algorithms to integrate selection criteria; and
       (F) will result in achieving the goals of stewardship site 
     selection at the lowest cost.
       (8) Qualified applicants.--The term ``qualified applicant'' 
     means a non-Federal person that owns title to property 
     located within the borders of the Region.
       (9) Threat.--The term ``threat'' means a threat that is 
     likely to destroy or seriously degrade a conservation target 
     or a recreation area.

     SEC. 4. LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE REGION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established in the States of 
     Connecticut and New York the Long Island Sound Stewardship 
     Initiative Region.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Region consists of the immediate 
     coastal upland areas along--
       (1) Long Island Sound between mean high water and the 
     inland boundary, as described on the map entitled ``Long 
     Island Sound Stewardship Region'' and dated April 21, 2004; 
     and
       (2) the Peconic Estuary as described on the map entitled 
     ``Peconic Estuary Program Study Area Boundaries'' and 
     included in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management 
     Plan for the Peconic Estuary Program and dated November 15, 
     2001.

     SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF STEWARDSHIP SITES.

       (a) in General.--The Administrator may designate a 
     stewardship site in accordance with this Act any area that 
     contributes to accomplishing the purpose of this Act.
       (b) Publication of List of Recommended Sites.--The 
     Administrator shall--
       (1) publish in the Federal Register and make available in 
     general circulation in the States of Connecticut and New York 
     the list of sites recommended by the Advisory Committee; and
       (2) provide a 90-day period for--
       (A) the submission of public comment on the list; and
       (B) an opportunity for owners of such sites to decline 
     designation of such sites as stewardship sites.
       (c) Opinion Regarding Owner's Responsibilities.--The 
     Administrator may not designate an area as a stewardship site 
     under this Act unless the Administrator provides to the owner 
     of the area, and the owner acknowledges to the Administrator 
     receipt of, a comprehensive opinion in plain English setting 
     forth expressly the responsibility of the owner that arises 
     from such designation.
       (d) Designation of Stewardship Sites.--Not later than 150 
     days after receiving from the Advisory Committee its list of 
     recommended sites, the Administrator--
       (1) shall review the recommendations of the Advisory 
     Committee; and
       (2) may designate as a stewardship site any site included 
     in the list.

     SEC. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS BY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--The Advisory Committee shall--
       (1) in accordance with this section, evaluate 
     applications--
       (A) for designation of areas as stewardship sites;
       (B) to develop management plans to address threats to 
     stewardship sites; and
       (C) to act on opportunities to protect and enhance 
     stewardship sites;
       (2) develop recommended guidelines, criteria, schedules, 
     and due dates for the submission of applications and the 
     evaluation by the Advisory Committee of information to 
     recommend areas for designation as stewardship sites that 
     fulfill terms of a multi--year management plan;
       (3) recommend to the Administrator a list of sites for 
     designation as stewardship sites that further the purpose of 
     this Act;
       (4) develop management plans to address threats to 
     stewardship sites;
       (5) raise awareness of the values of and threats to 
     stewardship sites;
       (6) recommend that the Administrator award grants to 
     qualified applicants; and
       (7) recommend to the Administrator ways to leverage 
     additional resources for improved stewardship of the Region.
       (b) Identification of Sites.--
       (1) In general.--Any qualified applicant may submit an 
     application to the Advisory Committee to have a site 
     recommended to the Administrator for designation as a 
     stewardship site.
       (2) Identification.--The Advisory Committee shall review 
     each application submitted under this subsection to determine 
     whether the site exhibits values that promote the purpose of 
     this Act.
       (3) Natural resource--based recreation areas.--In reviewmg 
     an application for recommendation of a recreation area for 
     designation as a stewardship site, the Advisory Committee may 
     use a selection technique that includes consideration of--
       (A) public access;
       (B) community support;
       (C) high population density;
       (D) environmental justice (as defined in section 385.3 of 
     title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
     regulations));
       (E) open spaces; and
       (F) cultural, historic, and scenic characteristics.
       (4) Natural areas with ecological value.--In reviewmg an 
     application for rec-- ommendation of a natural area with 
     ecological value for designation as a stewardship site, the 
     Advisory Committee may use a selection technique that 
     includes consideration of--
       (A) measurable conservation targets for the Region; and
       (B) prioritizing new sites using systematic site selection, 
     which shall include consideration of--
       (i) ecological uniqueness;
       (ii) species viability;
       (iii) habitat heterogeneity;
       (iv) size;
       (v) quality;
       (vi) open spaces;
       (vii) land cover;
       (viii) scientific, research, or educational value; and
       (ix) threats.
       (5) Deviation from process.--The Advisory Committee may 
     accept an application to recommend a site other than as 
     provided in this subsection, if the Advisory Committee--
       (A) determines that the site makes significant ecological 
     or recreational contributions to the Region; and
       (B) provides to the Administrator the reasons for deviating 
     from the process otherwise described in this subsection.
       (c) Submission of List of Recommended Sites.--
       (1) In general.--After completion of the site 
     identification process set forth in subsection (b), the 
     Advisory Committee shall submit to the Administrator its list 
     of sites recommended for designation as stewardship sites.
       (2) Limitation.--The Advisory Committee shall not include a 
     site in the list submitted under this subsection unless, 
     prior to submission of the list, the owner of the site is--
       (A) notified of the inclusion of the site in the list; and
       (B) allowed to decline inclusion of the site in the list.
       (3) Public comment.--In identifying sites for inclusion in 
     the list, the Advisory Committee shall provide an opportunity 
     for submission of, and consider, public comments.

     SEC. 7. GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator may provide grants, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, and other 
     assistance for projects to fulfill the purpose of this Act.
       (b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of an 
     activity carried out using any assistance or grant under this 
     Act shall not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of the 
     activity.

     SEC. 8. LONG ISLAND SOUND STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a committee to be 
     known as the ``Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory 
     Committee''.
       (b) Membership.
       (1) In general.--The Administrator may appoint the members 
     of the Advisory Committee in accordance with this subsection 
     and the guidance in section 320(c) of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act (33 D.S.C. 1330(c)), except that the 
     Governor of each State may appoint 2 members of the Advisory 
     Committee.
       (2) Additional members.--In addition to the other members 
     appointed under this subsection, the Advisory Committee may 
     include--
       (A) a representative of the Regional Plan Association;
       (B) a representative of marine trade organizations; and
       (C) a representative of private landowner interests.
       (3) Consideration of interests.--In appointing members of 
     the Advisory Committee, the Administrator shall consider--
       (A) Federal, State, and local government interests and 
     tribal interests;
       (B) the interests of nongovernmental organizations;
       (C) academic interests;
       (D) private interests including land, agriculture, and 
     business interests; and
       (E) recreational and commercial fishing interests.
       (4) Chairperson.--In addition to the other members 
     appointed under this subsection, the Administrator may 
     appoint as a member of the Advisory Committee an individual 
     to serve as the Chairperson, who may be the Director of the 
     Long Island Sound Office of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency.
       (5) Completion of appointments.--The Administrator shall 
     complete the appointment of all members of the Advisory 
     Committee by not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (A) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Advisory Committee--
       (i) shall be filled not later than 90 days after the 
     vacancy occurs;
       (ii) shall not affect the powers of the Advisory Committee; 
     and
       (iii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (c) Term.--
       (1) In general.--A member of the Advisory Committee shall 
     be appointed for a term of 4 years.
       (2) Multiple terms.--An individual may be appointed as a 
     member of the Advisory Committee for more than 1 term.

 (d) Powers.--The Advisory Committee may hold such hearings, meet and 
  act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
  evidence as the Advisory Committee considers advisable to carry out 
                               this Act.

       (e) Meetings.--
       (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at the 
     call of the Chairperson, but no fewer than 4 times each year.

[[Page H7646]]

       (2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     on which all members of the Advisory Committee have been 
     appointed, the Chairperson shall call the initial meeting of 
     the Advisory Committee.
       (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Advisory 
     Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of 
     members may hold hearings.
       (f) Adaptive Management.--
       (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall use an 
     adaptive management framework to identify the best policy 
     initiatives and actions through--
       (A) definition of strategic goals;
       (B) definition of policy options for methods to achieve 
     strategic goals;
       (C) establishment of measures of success;
       (D) identification of uncertainties;
       (E) development of informative models of policy 
     implementation;
       (F) separation of the landscape into georaphic units;
       (G) monitoring key responses at different spatial and 
     temporal scales; and
       (H) evaluation of outcomes and incorporation into 
     management strategies.
       (2) Application of adaptive management framework.--The 
     Advisory Committee shall apply the adaptive management 
     framework to the process for making recommendations under 
     subsections (b) through (f) of section 6 to the Administrator 
     regarding sites that should be designated as stewardship 
     sites.
       (3) Adaptive management.--The adaptive management framework 
     required by this subsection shall consist of a scientific 
     process--
       (A) for--
       (i) developing predictive models;
       (ii) making management policy decisions based upon the 
     model outputs;
       (iii) revising the management policies as data become 
     available with which to evaluate the policies; and
       (iv) acknowledging uncertainty, complexity, and variance in 
     the spatial and temporal aspects of natural systems; and
       (B) that requires that management be viewed as 
     experimental.
       (g) Termination of Advisory Committee.--The Advisory 
     Committee shall terminate on December 31, 2011.

     SEC. 9. REPORTS.

       (a) Administrator.--The Administrator shall publish and 
     make available to the public on the Internet and in paper 
     form--
       (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, a report that--
       (A) assesses the role of this Act in protecting the Long 
     Island Sound;
       (B) establishes in coordination with the Advisory Committee 
     gllidelines, criteria, schedules, and due dates for 
     evaluating information to designate stewardship sites;
       (C) includes information about any grants that are 
     available for the purchase of land or property rights to 
     protect stewardship sites; and
       (D) accounts for funds received and expended during the 
     previous fiscal year;
       (2) an update of such report, at least every other year; 
     and
       (3) information on funding and any new stewardship sites 
     more frequently than every other year.
       (b) Advisory Committee.--
       (1) Report.--For each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011, 
     the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Administrator and 
     the decisionmaking body of the Long Island Sound Study 
     Management Conference established under section 320 of the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330), an 
     annual report that contains--
       (A) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of 
     the Advisory Committee since the last report under this 
     subsection;
       (B) a description of all sites recommended by the Advisory 
     Committee to the Administrator for designation as stewardship 
     sites;
       (C) the recommendations of the Advisory Committee for such 
     legislation and administrative actions as the Advisory 
     Committee considers appropriate; and
       (D) in accordance with paragraph (2), the recommendations 
     of the Advisory Committee for the awarding of grants.
       (2) Recommendation for grants.--
       (A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall recommend 
     that the Administrator award grants to qualified applicants 
     to help to secure and improve the open space, public access, 
     or ecological values of stewardship sites, through--
       (i) purchase of the property of a stewardship site;
       (ii) purchase of relevant property rights to a stewardship 
     site; or
       (iii) entering into any other binding legal arrangement 
     that ensures that the values of a stewardship site are 
     sustained, including entering into an arrangement with a land 
     manager or property owner to develop or implement a 
     management plan that is necessary for the conservation of 
     natural resources.
       (B) Equitable distribution of funds.--The Advisory 
     Committee shall exert due diligence to ensure that its 
     recommendations result in an equitable distribution of funds 
     between the States.

     SEC. 10. PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION; NO REGULATORY 
                   AUTHORITY.

       (a) Access to Private Property.--Nothing in this Act--
       (1) requires any private property owner to allow public 
     access (including Federal, State, or local government access) 
     to the private property; or
       (2) modifies the application of any provision of Federal, 
     State, or local law with regard to public access to or use of 
     private property, except as entered into by voluntary 
     agreement of the owner or custodian of the property.
       (b) Liability.--Establishment of the Region does not create 
     any liability, or have any effect on any liability under any 
     other law, of any private property owner with respect to any 
     person injured on the private property.
       (c) Recognition of Authority To Control Land Use.--Nothing 
     in this Act modifies the authority of Federal, State, or 
     local governments to regulate land use.
       (d) Participation of Private Property Owners Not 
     Required.--Nothing in this Act requires the owner of any 
     private property located within the boundaries of the Region 
     to participate in any land conservation, financial or 
     technical assistance, or other programs established under 
     this Act.
       (e) Purchase of Land or Interest in Land From Willing 
     Sellers Only.--Funds appropriated to carry out this Act may 
     be used to purchase land or interests in land only from 
     willing sellers.
       (f) Manner of Acquisition.--All acquisitions of land under 
     this Act shall be made in a voluntary manner and shall not be 
     the result of forced takings.
       (g) Effect of Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--The boundaries of the Region represent the 
     area within which Federal funds appropriated for the purpose 
     of this Act may be expended.
       (2) Regulatory authority.--The establishment of the Region 
     and the boundaries of the Region do not provide any 
     regulatory authority not in existence immediately before the 
     enactment of this Act on land use in the Region by any 
     management entity, except for such property rights as may be 
     purchased from or donated by the owner of the property 
     (including public lands donated by a State or local 
     government).

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Administrator $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 
     through 2011 to carry out this Act, including for--
       (1) acquisition of land and interests in land;
       (2) development and implementation of site management 
     plans;
       (3) site enhancements to reduce threats or promote 
     stewardship; and
       (4) administrative expenses of the Advisory Committee and 
     the Administrator.
       (b) Use of Funds.--Amounts made available to the 
     Administrator under this section each fiscal year shall be 
     used by the Administrator after reviewing the recommendations 
     included in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee 
     under section 9.
       (c) Authorization of Gifts, Devises, and Bequests for 
     System.--In furtherance of the purpose of this Act, the 
     Administrator may accept and use any gift, devise, or bequest 
     of real or personal property, proceeds therefrom, or 
     interests therein, to carry out this Act. Such acceptance may 
     be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative 
     covenant, or condition of servitude, if such terms are 
     considered by the Administrator to be in accordance with law 
     and compatible with the purpose for which acceptance is 
     sought.
       (d) Limitation on Administrative Costs.--Of the amount 
     available each fiscal year to carry out this Act, not more 
     than 8 percent may be used for administrative costs.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation, sponsored by 
Congressman Rob Simmons, which would establish the Long Island Sound 
Stewardship Initiative. This initiative allows the administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to protect and 
restore land around the Long Island Sound in the States of Connecticut 
and New York. This bill acknowledges the collaborative efforts among 
the many public and private partners in the region and allows for a 
ground-up approach to managing and maintaining the long-term ecological 
health and public enjoyment of Long Island Sound.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on H.R. 5160.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to one of 
the chief sponsors and leaders of this important piece of legislation, 
my good friend and distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Wisconsin for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall 
for bringing this bill to the floor today. I also want to thank my 
colleague from Connecticut, Representative Simmons, and the rest of the 
members of the Long Island Sound Caucus for their very hard work on 
this legislation and their ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the 
Long Island Sound. I have the privilege of serving

[[Page H7647]]

as co-chair of the Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus with the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) and we have worked together 
for many years in the hope that this bill would become a reality. I was 
proud to introduce it with the gentleman from Connecticut, and I am 
proud of the Long Island Caucus for standing behind it every step of 
the way.
  This bill is bipartisan. It is bicoastal. It is bicameral. It is one 
of the most important initiatives that we can take to protect the Long 
Island Sound, to identify and enhance sites with ecological, 
educational, and recreational value in Connecticut and New York. And it 
does so in a way that is consistent with the vision put forward by a 
consortium of local groups who have been working for over a decade to 
save the sound.
  The Long Island Sound is one of our Nation's great natural wonders. 
It sustains a diversity of birds, wildlife, and marine organisms. It is 
a very important part of the national economy. It remains a vital 
component of our identity, our way of life.
  Today over 8 million people live in the sound's watershed and 20 
million people live within 50 miles of its shores. The sound alone 
contributes $5 billion to the regional economy through sport and 
commercial fishing, recreation and tourism.
  Mr. Speaker, I served for 8 years as a member of the Huntington Town 
Board, and I worked with our local baymen and worked with different 
organizations to preserve the Long Island Sound, and I am acutely aware 
of the many environmental challenges that confront our community. In 
fact, my town and many others initiated bond acts, asking local 
taxpayers to come up with a few more dollars to support and protect the 
Long Island Sound. And I always believed that the Federal Government 
should be more of a partner with local townships. And tonight we take 
the first big step in that new partnership.
  This bill creates a purely voluntary process to protect coastal areas 
along the Long Island Sound. It creates a process that will bring 
together stakeholders on a committee, including Connecticut and New 
York representatives from the Federal Government, the State government, 
local governments, nongovernment organizations, academic, private and 
development interests. This is a critically important step.
  And, Mr. Speaker, before I close, I just want to mention that, in 
fact, this bill has been the product of cooperation at all levels of 
government with advocacy groups in both New York and Connecticut, and I 
am grateful to all of them for their input.
  On a personal note, I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful 
staff for working on this legislation for most of the last 4 years. And 
I want to thank Karen Agostisi, who devoted so much of her time to this 
effort and helped navigate this bill through the sometimes choppy and 
turbulent waters of the Long Island Sound. I was privileged to work 
with the gentleman from Connecticut.
  This is a very important step for this Federal and local partnership. 
I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill. And again I thank the gentleman for 
his cooperation. I thank my colleagues for their consideration.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to again commend my good friend from 
New York (Mr. Israel) for his leadership that he has shown on this 
piece of legislation. It has been many years that they have been 
working on this. But I also want to take a moment to commend my good 
friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York, Tim Bishop, for the 
leadership and the work that he has put into this legislation; along 
with the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Rosa DeLauro, who has also been 
very involved; as well as 15 original cosponsors, Democratic 
cosponsors, from the New York delegation.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on this important bill to restore and preserve 
the Long Island Sound and encourage its adoption this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, understanding the full risk of filibuster, I 
yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut, 
the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Simmons.
  (Mr. SIMMONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  We have already heard many good words about this legislation, and I 
would like to associate myself with those words.
  Quite simply, this legislation represents many years of effort 
between two States, New York and Connecticut; between the House and the 
Senate; and, of course, a bipartisan effort by Republicans and 
Democrats.
  The Long Island Sound is a unique estuary, with economic and 
environmental assets. It generates about $6 billion annually to the 
regional economy and is a cherished environmental resource for over 28 
million people who live within 50 miles of the shore.
  Four generations of my family have enjoyed Long Island Sound, and we 
have lived on Long Island Sound. And yet with the increase in 
population, with land development, and other pressures, some of the 
assets of this unique estuary are being lost. And that is why this 
bipartisan legislation has been introduced.
  It originally passed the Senate a couple of years ago in a somewhat 
different form and then Senator Lieberman and I reintroduced it last 
year at the beginning of the 109th Congress. I have worked with 
Chairman Pombo, I have worked with subcommittee Chairman Gilchrest, and 
my colleagues across the aisle to make sure that the language of this 
bill respects property rights but also allows us to use science-based 
mechanisms to identify properties that can be acquired and preserved 
and protected for future generations.
  Again, we don't infringe on property rights because the bill seeks to 
create and does create, we believe, a purely voluntary process to 
protect important sites along the sound.
  The committee that we are creating is advisory in nature and has no 
authority to seize lands or to mandate action on private property. It 
simply recommends sites and allows an administrator to allocate funds 
to purchase or enter into legal arrangements to secure these 
properties. The legislation provides for transparency and 
accountability and is responsible, in a fiduciary manner, for the 
dollars that are authorized by the law.
  I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this wonderful 
piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5160, the ``Long 
Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006.''
  I want to thank Chairman Richard Pombo and Chairman Wayne Gilchrest--
as well as their capable staff--for their leadership and work on this 
important legislation. I also would like to thank my co-chair of the 
Long Island Sound Caucus, Representative Steve Israel and the rest of 
the caucus for their work to promote the importance of Long Island 
Sound.
  The Long Island Sound is a unique estuary with economic and 
ecological importance to the region and to the Nation. The Sound 
contributes approximately $6 billion annually to the regional economy 
and is a cherished resource for the 28 million people living within 50 
miles of its shores. The Sound is heavily used for recreation and for 
commerce by residents of Connecticut and New York as well as numerous 
visitors from across the country each year. This treasure deserves our 
utmost support.
  Senator Lieberman and I originally introduced the Long Island 
Stewardship Act (LISSA) in the 108th Congress. H.R. 5160 is the product 
of bipartisan cooperation among legislators from Connecticut and New 
York and local groups that have been working together to protect the 
Sound. Without infringing on private property rights of local 
landowners, the bill seeks to create a purely voluntary process to 
protect important sites along the Sound through the creation of the 
Long Island Sound Advisory Committee. Chaired by the director of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Long Island Sound Office and 
comprised of representatives from Federal, State, and local governments 
and nongovernmental organizations, the Committee will assess potential 
stewardship sites along the coast and work to preserve them.
  To ensure private property rights, the Committee was made advisory in 
nature and would not have the authority to seize lands or to mandate 
action on private property. Instead,

[[Page H7648]]

the Committee would be required to recommend sites for stewardship and 
submit its findings to the EPA Administrator. The Administrator would 
then allocate funds to purchase relevant property rights or enter into 
binding legal arrangements that ensure the value of the sites is 
maintained in accordance with the Committee's recommendations.
  In an effort to provide maximum transparency and accountability, the 
EPA Administrator would then be required to produce a bi-annual report 
that assesses the status of the Long Island Sound and that notifies the 
public of the program activities. To maintain the bi-state partnership, 
the Committee would be required to exert due diligence to ensure that 
it recommends an equitable distribution of funds between Connecticut 
and New York.
  Mr. Speaker, the use of Federal dollars requires careful scrutiny. My 
bill would authorize $25 million annually for 5 years to advance this 
important initiative. This figure represents a reduction from an 
initial draft of the bill during the 108th Congress, at the 
recommendation of Senate and House committee chairmen. And if we 
consider the precedent for Federal funds authorized and appropriated 
for estuarine ecosystem restoration programs elsewhere in the country, 
we'll find $25 million to be an appropriate amount. This is especially 
true when one considers the cost of real estate in the Long Island 
Sound region.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for bringing this legislation before the 
House. I am gratified to have the support of my colleagues in passing 
this bill.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of th1s legislation, 
I rise in strong support of H.R. 5160, the Long Island Sound 
Stewardship Act. I recognize the vital role the Long Island Sound plays 
in the Fourth Congressional District as well as all of Connecticut.
  The Long Island Sound contributes more than $5 billion annually to 
the regional economy and is one of the most populated and visited areas 
of our country. In fact, approximately 10 percent of the American 
population lives within the Long Island Sound watershed.
  It is a source of livelihood, nourishment, and recreation for many in 
Connecticut and elsewhere, and it is critical that we treat it well.
  This legislation would authorize $40 million to protect and preserve 
areas along the Sound's shorelines with significant ecological, 
recreational, or educational value. The Long Island Sound Stewardship 
Act gives those most familiar with the Sound's precious and diverse 
resources the tools necessary to continue their conservation efforts, 
and applies the most effective methods available to identify, protect, 
and enhance sites with ecological, educational, and recreation value in 
Connecticut and New York.
  Protecting and preserving the environment is one of the most 
important jobs I have as a Member of Congress. We simply will not have 
a world to live in if we continue our neglectful ways.
  The Long Island Sound is our Yellowstone. I urge passage of this 
legislation so that we may continue its conservation and protection.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, 
which will help ensure that future generations of New Yorkers and all 
Americans will enjoy a clean, well-preserved Long Island Sound.
  The Long Island Sound is critically important to our Nation and vital 
to the health and well-being of the communities I represent. As an 
Estuary of National Significance, the Sound provides habitat for a wide 
array of plant and animal life, and contributes an estimated $5.5 
billion to the regional economy from boating, fishing and tourism-
related commerce. Boating and fishing are deeply enmeshed in the 
culture and traditions of Long Island, and the Sound has long been our 
region's gateway to the seas.
  Unfortunately, the effects of millions of people living adjacent to 
the Sound's shore have been profound. At the turn of the millennium, 
lobster catch rates plummeted by 90%, costing our local economy between 
$30 and $50 million. Dangerous levels of toxins continue to threaten 
the well-being of the Sound's diverse habitats and wildlife breeding 
areas, as well as the livelihoods of those who depend on these 
resources for their livelihood.
  The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act supplements conservation and 
preservation efforts along the shoreline of Long Island and 
Connecticut, and authorizes $25 million in federal appropriations over 
the next 4 fiscal years.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is not perfect. I strongly support and will 
continue to advocate for funding at the original proposed level of $40 
million annually. Properly conceived, the legislation should include 
wetlands and underwater lands within the authority of the Long Island 
Sound Stewardship Initiative, which will be established by this 
legislation. Additionally, I strongly support fully funding 
conservation and preservation offshore via the Long Island Sound 
Restoration Act, which has fallen victim to the Majority's budget cuts.
  The Long Island Sound, however, is a national treasure and I believe 
that any preservation efforts to conserve any part of the Sound should 
be embraced. I do support this legislation and I would like to thank my 
colleague from New York, the co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, 
Mr. Israel, for all of his efforts to bring this bill to the floor and 
to preserve the Long Island Sound.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, appreciating the bipartisan nature of this, 
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5160, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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