[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 93 (Friday, June 19, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 1311. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to 
expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to monitor, restore, and 
protect the resource productivity, water quality, and marine ecosystems 
of the Gulf of Mexico; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.
  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, today I introduce an important piece of 
legislation that will help protect and preserve the health and 
productivity of one of our Nation's most important bodies of water--the 
Gulf of Mexico.
  The Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act will serve as a 
national and international model for the collaborative management of 
large marine ecosystems. Specific provisions of this Act will be 
administered by the Gulf of Mexico Program, formed in 1988 by the 
Environmental Protection Agency as a non-regulatory, inclusive 
partnership that collaborates with federal offices, state, and local 
governments and the private sector in each of 5 Gulf States--all 
committed to helping preserve and protect the Gulf.
  Collectively, the fertile waters and seabed of the Gulf of Mexico 
represent the 6th largest economy in the world with a total economic 
trade value of almost $6 trillion. These waters are now threatened by 
excessive nutrient loads and invasive species as well as the 
significant deterioration of many coastal wetlands as a result of 
hurricane and tropical storm damage.
  The future of the Gulf's environmental stability is vital to 
America's economy and security. This legislation authorizes much needed 
additional funds to the Gulf of Mexico Program and finally puts it on a 
path toward more equal footing with other national great water body 
programs. Members of the Gulf of Mexico program are working together to 
secure the Gulf's future. It is time for this critical region to be 
recognized for its strategic importance. This legislation is an 
important step toward ensuring the Gulf receives the kind of support it 
deserves.

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