[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 104 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING SOIL AS AN ESSENTIAL NATURAL RESOURCE

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the agriculture 
committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 440 and 
the Senate proceed to it now.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 440) recognizing soil as an essential 
     natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a 
     critical role in managing our Nation's soil resources.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table, 
with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 440) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 440

       Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are 
     intricately linked and the sustainable use of soil affects 
     climate, water and air quality, human health, biodiversity, 
     food safety, and agricultural production;
       Whereas soil is a dynamic system which performs many 
     functions and services vital to human activities and 
     ecosystems;
       Whereas, despite soil's importance to human health, the 
     environment, nutrition and food, feed, fiber, and fuel 
     production, there is little public awareness of the 
     importance of soil protection;
       Whereas the degradation of soil can be rapid, while the 
     formation and regeneration processes can be very slow;
       Whereas protection of United States soil based on the 
     principles of preservation and enhancement of soil functions, 
     prevention of soil degradation, mitigation of detrimental 
     use, and restoration of degraded soils is essential to the 
     long-term prosperity of the United States;
       Whereas legislation in the areas of organic, industrial, 
     chemical, biological, and medical waste pollution prevention 
     and control should consider soil protection provisions;
       Whereas legislation on climate change, water quality, 
     agriculture, and rural development should offer a coherent 
     and effective legislative framework for common principles and 
     objectives that are aimed at protection and sustainable use 
     of soils in the United States;
       Whereas soil contamination coupled with poor or 
     inappropriate soil management practices continues to leave 
     contaminated sites unremediated; and
       Whereas soil can be managed in a sustainable manner, which 
     preserves its capacity to deliver ecological, economic, and 
     social benefits, while maintaining its value for future 
     generations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes it as necessary to improve knowledge, 
     exchange information, and develop and implement best 
     practices for soil management, soil restoration, carbon 
     sequestration, and long-term use of the Nation's soil 
     resources;
       (2) recognizes the important role of soil scientists and 
     soils professionals, who are well-equipped with the 
     information and experience needed to address the issues of 
     today and those of tomorrow in managing the Nation's soil 
     resources;
       (3) commends soil scientists and soils professionals for 
     their efforts to promote education, outreach, and awareness 
     necessary for generating more public interest in and 
     appreciation for soils; and
       (4) acknowledges the promise of soil scientists and soils 
     professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all 
     Americans by improving stewardship of the soil, combating 
     soil degradation, and ensuring the future protection and 
     sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.

                          ____________________