[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2013

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                               speech of

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union 
had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5325) making appropriations for 
energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Moran Amendment.
  The streams, lakes, and wetlands of America are in desperate need of 
protection. These areas provide citizens with clean drinking water, are 
essential to sports and recreation, and, importantly to my district in 
St. Louis, protect cities from floods. The Army Corps of Engineers, and 
the Environmental Protection Agency developed a guidance plan this past 
summer to clarify the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, the 
paramount piece of legislation protecting these important areas. This 
guidance will confirm the water protections we depend on to keep our 
water safe. Thus, I support the Moran Amendment which would eliminate 
Section 110. Section 110 prevents the Corps from doing a critical part 
of its job: maintaining our country's significant water resources.
  The Corps has already proposed guidance that would significantly 
clarify the Clean Water Act and ensure the safety of American 
waterways. Without these clarifications, 20 million acres of wetlands 
will continue to be left without legal protections. The American public 
depends on this Act for clean drinking water, protection from flood 
waters, and maintaining the habitats of important wildlife. The 
American public depends on us to support the Corps and place safeguards 
to keep our water clean. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of the 
Moran Amendment and not prevent the Army Corp of Engineers from doing 
their job. We must allow the Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the 
scope of the Clean Water Act, so that Americans can trust their 
waterways are clean.

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