[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1590-E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           WATER RESOURCES REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under

[[Page E1591]]

     consideration the bill (H.R. 3080) to provide for 
     improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, 
     to provide for the conservation and development of water and 
     related resources, and for other purposes:

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of 
H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 
2013. As the Senior Texan on the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee and cosponsor of this legislation, I am glad to once again be 
addressing water resources legislation on the House Floor. Such 
legislation has not been passed by this esteemed Body since 2007, when 
I served as Chairwoman of the Water Resources and Environment 
Subcommittee that helped craft and usher the Water Resources 
Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 into law over a presidential veto. With 
this background, I understand the challenge of composing and advancing 
such legislation to this point. I applaud the leadership demonstrated 
by the Chairman and Ranking Members of both the Full Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee and the Water Resources and Environment 
Subcommittee for bringing this bill to the Floor today.
  While I ultimately support the passage of this legislation, I am 
concerned about the weakening of environmental protections and the 
ability of the public to participate in that process as a result of the 
streamlining provisions of this bill. The Army Corps of Engineers 
project construction backlog and astronomical figure it carries 
demonstrates that project efficiency must be improved. I understand the 
desire to expedite Army Corps of Engineers study and project 
completions, yet do not believe that the environmental safeguards such 
as the National Environmental Policy Act are the cause of those delays. 
If properly funded, necessary projects can be completed with 
appropriate environmental considerations. I am discouraged that 
environmental protections are being weakened under this guise.
  As Co-Chair of the Texas Maritime Caucus, I have supported language 
in this bill to increase commercial navigation capabilities for Texas' 
ports and waterways. I am excited about Texas' ports and the role that 
they play in cultivating the Texas economy, the National economy, and 
the global economy. With expansive coastlines, established intermodal 
infrastructure, and strategically beneficial location, maritime 
commerce has a bright future in Texas. Moreover, the American economy 
has a brighter future because of Texas' transportation investments and 
capabilities.
  I am glad to have worked in a bipartisan fashion to include language 
in this legislation for an assessment of the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway. This assessment will be a valuable tool for the State of 
Texas to determine its current and future operation and maintenance 
needs for navigation improvements to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
allowing it to be utilized more efficiently and productively in 
maritime commerce.
  Further, I supported the inclusion of projects at the Sabine-Neches 
Waterway, Texas and at Freeport Harbor, Texas--both of which are 
authorized in this legislation. The Sabine-Neches Waterway project will 
contribute to the economic effectiveness of commercial navigation in a 
system of navigation channels in the Sabine-Neches estuary of Texas and 
Louisiana. The Freeport Harbor project provides for a deep-draft 
waterway from the Gulf of Mexico to the City of Freeport through the 
original mouth of the Brazos River. It will contribute to the economic 
efficiency of commercial navigation in the region and will 
significantly improve Freeport Harbor's ability to compete in 
international maritime commerce.
  These projects will help bring nearly a billion dollars of Federal 
funds to Texas' ports and waterways. In turn, these improvements will 
be a boon for Texas' economy and the National economy. Further, with 
the expansion of the Panama Canal, these improvements will allow Texas' 
ports to play an increased role in the global economy. The increased 
economic benefit and movement of goods will be felt throughout Texas, 
including in my home district in Dallas, home to two Class One rail 
lines, an intermodal facility, numerous interstate highways, and a 
strong consumer marketplace.
  It is my hope that the passage of this legislation will revive the 
biannual WRDA authorization schedule. Monitoring the streamlining 
provisions of this bill, as well as assessing the expenditures of the 
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will be ripe for reconsideration during 
the next Congress--as will many other issues. It is my belief that the 
overall objectives and purposes of water resources legislation are 
vital to America and should be considered on a biannual basis. The 
importance of this bill should not be lost in politics.
  In closing, I want to once again thank the Chairman and Ranking 
Members of both the Full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 
and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee for their 
leadership in advancing this legislation to the floor today.

                          ____________________