[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            AMENDING THE FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Democratic Member 
of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure, I rise to address S. 3687, which 
reauthorizes appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin 
Restoration Program for fiscal years 2012 through 2017, among other 
purposes.
  The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program was authorized by 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the Estuaries and 
Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-456). This Act established a new 
program office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 
provide administrative and technical assistance to the local management 
conference, convened under section 320 of the Clean Water Act, for the 
restoration and protection of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, as well as 
provide Federal grant assistance for restoration projects, studies, and 
public education projects, recommended by the conference for the 
benefit of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. The initial authorization of 
the Lake Pontchartrain, Basin Restoration Program was $20 million, 
annually, for fiscal years 2001 through 2005. This $20 million annual 
authorization was extended through fiscal year 2011 in Pub. L. 109-392.
  Section 1 of S. 3687 extends the authorization of appropriations for 
the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program through FY 2017, 
however, at reduced levels. S authorizes ``. . . the amount 
appropriated for fiscal year 2009 for each of the fiscal years 2013 
through 2017.'' According to information provided by EPA, the fiscal 
year 2009 appropriation for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration 
Program was $978,000. Accordingly, section 1 of S. 3687 reduces the 
authorization of appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin 
Program from $20 million, annually, to $978,000, annually, for each of 
FY 2013 through FY 2017.
  In addition, section 1 of S. 3687 would establish a maximum 75 
percent Federal share grant assistance authorized under the Lake 
Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program. Under current law, there is no 
statutory cap on the percentage of Federal assistance that can be 
provided by grants under the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration 
Program. Acording to information provided by EPA, the EPA Region 6 
office typically required a 5 percent local match for grants provided 
under this Program--resulting in a Federal share of 95 percent for 
grants provided under this authority. Under section 1 of S. 3687, the 
maximum Federal share of future grants provided under this authority 
would be reduced to 75 percent, with the remaining share to be provided 
by local interests, such as local parishes or municipalities.
  I am encouraged by the House Republican Leadership's willingness to 
schedule this bill and allow it to pass by Unanimous Consent. I am 
hopeful that the Leadership's willingness to move this legislation will 
enable the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to move 
forward quickly in the 113th Congress on a Water Resources Development 
Act (WRDA) bill. Currently, there are 22 Army Corps of Engineers 
Chief's Reports awaiting authorization throu the WRDA process. These 
and other critical flood control, navigation safety, shoreline 
protection, and environmental restoration projects must move forward to 
ensure the safety of our communities, strengthen our National, 
regional, and local economies, protect our natural resources, and 
create jobs.

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