[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5742-H5743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEAUTHORIZING PORTION OF POTOMAC RIVER WATER PROJECT
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5545) to deauthorize a portion of the project for
navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia,
under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5545
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROJECT FOR NAVIGATION, WASHINGTON CHANNEL,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Upon the date of enactment of this Act, the following
portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River,
Washington Channel, District of Columbia, authorized by the
Act of August 30, 1935 (chapter 831; 49 Stat. 1028) is
deauthorized: Beginning at Washington Harbor Channel Geometry
Centerline of the 400-foot-wide main navigational ship
channel, Centerline Station No. 103+73.12, coordinates North
441948.20, East 1303969.30, as stated and depicted on the
Condition Survey Anacostia, Virginia, Washington and Magazine
Bar Shoal Channels, Washington, D.C., Sheet 6 of 6, prepared
by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
district, July 2007; thence departing the aforementioned
centerline traveling the following courses and distances: N.
40 degrees 10 minutes 45 seconds E., 200.00 feet to a point,
on the outline of said 400-foot-wide channel thence binding
on said outline the following three courses and distances: S.
49 degrees 49 minutes 15 seconds E., 1,507.86 feet to a
point, thence; S. 29 degrees 44 minutes 42 seconds E.,
2,083.17 feet to a point, thence; S. 11 degrees 27 minutes 04
seconds E., 363.00 feet to
[[Page H5743]]
a point, thence; S. 78 degrees 32 minutes 56 seconds W.,
200.00 feet to a point binding on the centerline of the 400-
foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline
Station No. 65+54.31, coordinates North 438923.9874, East
1306159.9738, thence; continuing with the aforementioned
centerline the following courses and distances: N. 11 degrees
27 minutes 04 seconds W., 330.80 feet to a point, Centerline
Station No. 68+85.10, thence; N. 29 degrees 44 minutes 42
seconds W., 2,015.56 feet to a point, Centerline Station No.
89+00.67, thence; N. 49 degrees 49 minutes 15 seconds W.,
1,472.26 feet to the point of beginning, such area in total
containing a computed area of 777,284 square feet or 17.84399
acres of riparian water way.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. LoBiondo) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5545.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise to support H.R. 5545.
This noncontroversial bill will allow development of the Southwest
Waterfront in the District of Columbia. This bill will benefit not only
residents here, but also regional residents and U.S. and international
visitors by permitting the District to extend docks and increase
maritime activity just a short eyeshot from the U.S. Capitol building.
In order for the District to make these improvements, the Federal
Government must redesignate part of the water designated by the Federal
Government as the Washington Channel so that more and larger docks can
be built by the District to accommodate increased boating and waterside
activity.
The original width of the Washington Channel was established in the
early 1800s to accommodate industrial and maritime commerce at the
Southwest Waterfront prior to the construction of East Potomac Park.
Today, however, the Southwest Waterfront is no longer a major port,
and does not accommodate large vessels. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard,
the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed that
this redesignation will not affect navigation interests or adversely
affect navigation safety.
I ask Members to support this noncontroversial change that will
reinvigorate the Southwest Waterfront for the city, region, and
visitors alike to enjoy.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Today we're considering the deauthorization of a portion of a
navigation channel in Washington, DC. The Washington Channel was
authorized in 1935. Ms. Norton's bill would deauthorize a small portion
of the project that is no longer necessary to ensure safe commercial
navigation along the northern end of the Washington Channel. Neither
the Army Corps of Engineers nor the U.S. Coast Guard has objections to
this change in the Federal navigation channel.
The bill is noncontroversial. There are no costs associated with
deauthorizing this portion of the Washington Channel. I fully support
passage, and recommend my colleagues vote for and approve H.R. 5545.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Almost 10 years ago this House approved a bill to revitalize the
Southeast Waterfront. The Southeast Federal Center is now being
reinvigorated just down the street from the Southwest Waterfront. It is
now called The Yards.
I very much appreciate that this House understood that it was far
better for the Southeast Waterfront, owned by the Federal Government,
to be revitalized than to lie fallow. And already, it is blossoming and
blooming.
But the Southwest Waterfront has been awaiting concurrent action, not
by this House, and not at the expense of the Federal Government, but by
the District of Columbia.
This action, the action of the House today, should this bill be
passed, will allow the District of Columbia to move forward on a multi-
use development of the Southwest Waterfront, to which tourists and
international visitors are always welcome, and will be even more
welcome because it will be fit. It will be a fit place to come and see.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5545, a bill
to deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River,
Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the
Corps of Engineers.
This bill deauthorizes one-half of the Federal navigation project
width of the Washington Channel, District of Columbia. The channel
deauthorization runs from the northern limit of the Federal navigation
project to just south of the Maine Police pier which includes the
Spirit Ship Dock.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure consulted with the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy
regarding this proposed deauthorization and we have not been made aware
of any opposition to the proposed deauthorization of this segment of
the Washington Channel, District of Columbia. This non-controversial
bill was reported favorably out of our Committee by voice vote, without
amendment.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5545.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5545.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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