[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 32 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               NOAA FEES

  (Mr. GUINTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration will begin charging New England fishermen 
new fees--$710 per fishing trip, to be exact--that could destroy an 
historic industry.
  Granite State fishermen--just 10 remaining boat operators--are 
already struggling under regulations that severely limit their catch. 
Now fishermen like David Goethel will also be responsible for the cost 
of Federal contractors who monitor them at sea.
  NOAA has always paid these associated costs. The agency has delayed 
implementation of new fees several times over the years, but somehow 
NOAA has always found the extra money in its $6 billion budget. In my 
letter to the chief administrator, I asked where the money is going, 
and the agency can't account for much of it, nor can they appreciate 
nor understand the economic impact of its regulations.
  The gentleman from Maine (Mr. Poliquin) and I introduced legislation 
to stop NOAA's new fees. An historic way of life and good jobs up and 
down the New England coast are at stake. I ask for your help.

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