[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KOHL:
  S. 1029. A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide 
incentives to landowners to protect and improve streams and riparian 
habitat; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a bill that amends the 
Food Security Act of 1985 to provide incentives for landowners to 
protect and improve streams and riparian habitat. This legislation 
would provide cost-share payments to landowners who protect and repair 
streamside and in-stream habitat, improve water flow and quality and 
initiate watershed management and planning.
  The Stream Habitat Improvement Program, funded at $60 million 
annually, would direct resources to important fish habitat projects. 
The fisheries community has recognized the loss of habitat as a major 
threat to the health of sport fish populations. Farmers who participate 
in the program will make improvements on streams running through their 
property. Improvements could include repairing shoreline, removing 
barriers to fish passage, and planting trees to shade the water and 
strengthen stream banks. Further, existing partnerships, such as the 
National Fish Habitat Action Plan, could provide invaluable input to 
guide the program.
  Healthy fisheries mean healthy communities. The EPA and the Fish and 
Wildlife Service have found that 81 percent of all stream fish 
communities in the U.S. have been adversely affected by either 
pollution or other disturbances. Rivers and streams provide essential 
habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Many of these species 
are threatened, endangered, or at risk for extinction. Degraded and 
altered habitats are the most frequently cited factors contributing to 
the decline among threatened or endangered aquatic species and among 
many native recreational and non-game fish species.
  In Wisconsin alone there are almost 950,000 anglers, and almost half 
a million more come from out of State to fish in Wisconsin. Together 
these anglers spend $1 billion on fishing-related expenses in our 
State. This new program would advance efforts to support stream habitat 
restoration more effectively, which in turn will support a thriving 
economy and aquatic species populations. Further, healthy stream and 
river habitats also play an important role in the Nation's economy. 
Each year, about 34 million anglers spend $17 billion directly on 
fishing equipment and another $15 billion on trip-related expenses, 
food and lodging, and other recreational fishing-related expenses.
  Successful management of stream and river habitat requires 
cooperative partnerships among producers, landowners, as well as 
Federal and State agencies. Offering producers and private landowners 
incentives and opportunities for restoring stream habitat will prevent 
the decline and listing of aquatic species. Building strong 
relationships between farm owners, private landowners and the angler 
community ensures that healthy fisheries will be maintained for future 
generations to enjoy.
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