[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 20 (Monday, February 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           INTRODUCTION OF THE GEORGES BANK PRESERVATION ACT

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                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2009

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Georges Bank 
Preservation Act in the 111th Congress because Georges Bank, America's 
most valuable fishery and one of our nation's most important marine 
areas, remains in the crosshairs of the oil and gas industry. Last 
year, as a result of opposition from the Bush Administration, the 
longstanding protections against drilling off the east and west coasts 
expired. As a result, the American people could now begin to see drill 
rigs as close as three miles to our beaches and in fragile ecosystems 
like Georges Bank. Allowing oil and gas drilling in Georges Bank would 
forever destroy this fragile ecosystem and our nation's most important 
fishery.
  In its final days in office, the Bush Administration issued a draft 
proposal to conduct offshore oil and gas leasing in the entire North 
Atlantic Planning area in 2013. This area comprises all federal waters 
off the coast of New England, including Georges Bank. We know that 
Georges Bank remains a top target of the oil industry and that is why 
we must take action to restore the longstanding protections for this 
special place.
  The Georges Bank Preservation Act would prohibit the federal 
government from allowing exploration, development, or production of oil 
or natural gas in Georges Bank. Protecting Georges Bank from drilling 
would affect less than 2 percent of federal land on the outer 
Continental Shelf. The legislation would also protect any areas 
designated as marine national monuments or national marine sanctuaries, 
such as the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary 
off the coast of Massachusetts. The language in the Georges Bank 
Preservation Act has already passed the House last year in an 
overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 236-189 as part of H.R. 6899.
  Georges Bank is the heart of the New England fishery and a key 
economic engine for the region. The Northeast fishery landings are 
valued at approximately $800 million annually and Georges Bank is the 
key to the region. New Bedford, Massachusetts is by far the most 
productive fishing port in the United States, in terms of value of 
catch, and has held that distinction for the last eight years. Its $268 
million catch in 2007 was almost as much as catches from the second and 
third most valuable ports combined. New Bedford has been the number one 
fishing port for eight straight years.
  We must not let Big Oil claim one of New England's most important 
economic and environmental treasures. The Georges Bank Preservation Act 
will prevent the oil and gas industry from destroying this special 
habitat that is the heart of America's most precious fishery and a 
uniquely vital marine habitat.

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