[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S REQUEST 
                         TO BUILD SAND BARRIERS

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, today I sent, along with Representative 
Scalise of Louisiana, a letter to the United States Army Corps of 
Engineers supporting Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's request for an 
emergency permit to dredge and build sand barrier islands. The United 
States Corps of Engineers must conduct an environmental assessment 
before granting the State a permit to build the barriers.
  Governor Jindal petitioned the Corps of Engineers on May 10, more 
than 2 weeks ago, for approval to dredge and build the sand barriers. 
He has yet to receive a response. In the meantime, oil has begun to 
inundate Louisiana's fragile coasts and marshes. The proposed sand 
barriers would create a permanent barrier to prevent oil from reaching 
the shores and the wetlands.
  We support Governor Jindal's efforts to protect the fragile 
ecosystems and natural resources that are of critical importance, not 
just to Louisiana, but in fact the entire national economy, and we urge 
the Army Corps of Engineers to act swiftly so that they may assist the 
governor in protecting these valuable resources.
  Mr. Scalise and I were both part of a congressional delegation that 
visited the Gulf and the protected area 3 weeks ago. We have seen the 
spill and the waters firsthand and seen the way it is threatening 
Louisiana's coastline. Every resource should be utilized to stem this 
spill and protect the Nation's coastline.
  I insert for the Record a copy of the letter we sent to Lieutenant 
General Robert L. Van Antwerp.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 24, 2010.
     LTG Robert L. Van Antwerp,
     Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, Headquarters, U.S. 
         Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC.
       LTG Robert L. Van Antwerp: As oil from the Deepwater 
     Horizon oil spill begins to reach the fragile marshes and 
     estuaries of the Louisiana coastline, it is imperative that 
     the federal government do everything possible to stop the 
     flow of oil and act immediately to protect the natural 
     resources along Louisiana's coast.
       On May 23, 2010, the Associated Press reported that 
     Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, frustrated with Army Corps 
     of Engineers delays over environmental impact studies, will 
     move forward unilaterally in building sand barriers to 
     protect the coastline. Gov. Jindal petitioned the U.S. Army 
     Corps of Engineers the week of May 10 for approval to dredge 
     and build sand barriers to protect the wetlands, but the 
     USACE has yet to grant approval of that request, and oil 
     continues to damage areas of Louisiana's coasts.
       We support Gov. Jindal's efforts to protect the fragile 
     ecosystems and natural resources that are of critical 
     importance not only to Louisiana but also to the entire 
     national economy. And we hope the Army Corps of Engineers 
     will expedite any environmental studies so that the Corps may 
     assist the Governor in protecting these valuable resources.
       The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a serious tragedy, 
     resulting in the loss of 11 lives onboard the exploratory 
     rig. Every resource should be utilized to stem this spill and 
     protect the nation's coastlines. We appreciate your 
     assistance in this matter.
           Sincerely,
     Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
     Steve Scalise.

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