[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 491--RECOGNIZING THE NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING 
  ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY TO CARRY OUT 
HURRICANE, COASTAL, AND FLOOD PROTECTION AND HURRICANE AND FLOOD DAMAGE 
  REDUCTION ACTIVITIES AND RELATED FEATURES IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

  Mr. VITTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works:

                              S. Res. 491

       Whereas the restoration of the infrastructure, hurricane, 
     flood protection, ecosystem, and habitat of the State of 
     Louisiana is critical to the United States economy because--
       (1) Louisiana is the key to United States energy security, 
     providing nearly 30 percent of the energy required to power 
     the United States economy;
       (2) Louisiana provides more than 25 percent of the seafood 
     consumed in the United States;
       (3) Louisiana provides the largest port system in the world 
     (having 5 of 15 ports with the most total tonnage of all 
     ports in the United States); and
       (4) more than 36 States depend on maritime commerce on 
     waterways in Louisiana to receive goods and services;
       Whereas, in 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated 
     Louisiana, causing the death of more than 1,400, the loss of 
     217 square miles of coastal land and wetlands, and destroyed 
     the integrity and performance of the hurricane protection 
     system;
       Whereas in Louisiana Hurricanes Katrina and Rita initially 
     caused the evacuation and displacement of 1,300,000 residents 
     of Louisiana, destroyed more than 200,000 homes, 40 schools, 
     and 10 hospitals, damaged 835 schools, flooded more than 
     16,000 businesses, caused the loss of 179,000 jobs, and 
     resulted in property losses of more than $100,000,000,000 in 
     the State;
       Whereas Louisiana had a reduction in gross State product of 
     $7,400,000,000 during the period beginning on the date of 
     occurrence of Hurricane Katrina and ending on June 30, 2006;
       Whereas Federal funds are needed, in addition to the fiscal 
     year 2009 budget request of the President, to reduce the risk 
     to the greater New Orleans, Louisiana, area from storm surges 
     to provide at least an updated 100-year protection standard 
     and address associated flood protection needs to meet the 
     President's commitment to complete the Corps of Engineers 
     work necessary for the updated 100-year protection standard 
     for the greater New Orleans area by the 2011 hurricane 
     season;
       Whereas, in accordance with section 7012(c) of the Water 
     Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1279), the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate may adopt a resolution to allow 
     for appropriation of additional Federal funds that exceed 25 
     percent of the authorized level for the activities identified 
     in subsection (a) of that section;
       Whereas, the historic cost share for current and future 
     work for the Southeast Louisiana Project is 75 percent 
     Federal and 25 percent non-Federal, in accordance with 
     section 533(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 
     (110 Stat. 3775), as reconfirmed by Congress in subsequent 
     supplemental legislation related to the 2005 hurricanes; and
       Whereas, the historic cost share for the Lake Pontchartrain 
     and Vicinity project is 70 percent Federal and 30 percent 
     non-Federal, in accordance with section 204 of the Flood 
     Control Act of 1965 (79 Stat. 1077), as reconfirmed by 
     Congress in subsequent supplemental legislation:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the urgency for Congress to approve 
     additional Federal funds required by the Corps of Engineers 
     by October 1, 2008, to complete hurricane, coastal, and flood 
     protection and hurricane and flood damage reduction 
     activities and related features to meet the President's 
     commitment to complete the Corps of Engineers work necessary 
     for the updated 100-year protection standard for the greater 
     New Orleans area by the 2011 hurricane season; and
       (2) finds that, given the significance and consequences of 
     the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the additional Federal 
     funds to reduce the risk to the greater New Orleans, 
     Louisiana, area from storm surges and to provide at least an 
     updated 100-year protection standard and address associated 
     flood protection needs shall be carried out at full Federal 
     expense.

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