[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPAND THE ROLE OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY 
                                CLEANUP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that would expand the Army Corps of Engineers' role in Chesapeake Bay 
cleanup--a mission they first took on in 1996. The legislation would 
provide the Corps with continuing authority to engage in this work; 
expand the Corps' work to all six States in the Bay watershed and the 
District of Columbia; and provide flexibility for the Corps to work 
with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and other 
not-for-profit groups engaged in Bay cleanup.
  Next year, the Congress will move to enact a full reauthorization of 
the Water Resources Development Act for the first time since 2000. This 
represents an opportunity to turn the tide in Bay cleanup efforts so 
future generations can continue to enjoy the cultural, historic, and 
recreational benefits of the Bay and so it can continue to be an 
economic driver for the Mid-Atlantic region. This year, we have laid 
the groundwork for great progress in achieving this goal by securing 
substantial resources in the Farm Bill for agricultural-based Bay 
restoration. This measure serves to provide the water-resources 
complement to that effort.
  The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program, 
which was established in section 510 of WRDA 1996, authorizes the Army 
Corps of Engineers to provide design and construction assistance to 
State and local authorities in the environmental restoration of the 
Chesapeake Bay. These projects range from shoreline buffers to oyster 
reef construction. As it is currently structured however, the program 
has been limited in its scope for several reasons. First, the Corps' 
restoration efforts have been limited to Maryland, Virginia, and 
Pennsylvania, which has precluded a comprehensive, watershed-wide plan 
that adequately prioritizes projects. Second, unlike all other major 
Federal agencies engaged in Bay restoration, the Corps has no small 
watershed grants program that engages State and local governments in 
small scale restoration projects. This is compounded by the Corps' 
intricate procurement processes. Finally, the matching fund 
requirements of the section 510 program do not allow for the use of in-
kind services or contributions, which stifles collaboration. The 
Chesapeake Bay Commission, a multi-State legislative assembly dedicated 
to the restoration of the Bay, recognizing these deficiencies has 
recommended several improvements to the program that are the basis for 
this legislation. The bill would address the issues I have previously 
mentioned and strengthen the section 510 program so that the Army Corps 
of Engineers can continue to be a strong partner in Chesapeake Bay 
cleanup.
  I hope my colleagues will support this legislation through the WRDA 
process.