[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL 
                       REPORT LANGUAGE--ICE JAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2017

  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my report language 
that was included in the Energy and Water Development, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations bill to prevent and mitigate flood damage 
associated with ice jams. I'd like to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and 
Ranking Member Lowey, as well as Chairman Simpson, Ranking Member 
Kaptur, and the entire subcommittee for their work on this bill.
  I offer a special thank you to the Energy and Water subcommittee 
staff for working with me to include this necessary language to 
encourage the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pursue projects to 
prevent and mitigate flood damage associated with ice jams in regions 
comprised of cities whose historic flooding has been caused 
predominantly by winter snowmelt and ice floes.
  Every year, flooding that results from the piling up of frozen ice in 
rivers across the United States costs our economy millions of dollars. 
When free-floating ice catches on obstructions, such as bridge pilings, 
rocks, or logs, flooding can result upstream from the blockage and, 
again, downstream when the ice finally releases.
  During my time in the New York State Assembly, I can remember hearing 
horrible stories from my colleagues in upstate New York and wondering 
what more could be done to prepare for these events.
  In my home state of New York, the Mohawk River Basin is particularly 
susceptible to flooding associated with ice jams. I am pleased that the 
bill encourages the Army Corps to pursue projects and technologies to 
mitigate the damage caused by flooding associated with ice jams in 
areas, like the Mohawk River Basin, that truly need this support.
  I appreciate the time today to highlight this problem, and I thank my 
colleagues for their support on this issue.

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