[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6108-H6110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1800
GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX ACT OF 2020
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 1342) to require the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to
update periodically the environmental sensitivity index products of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for each coastal area
of the Great Lakes, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 1342
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Great Lakes Environmental
Sensitivity Index Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. UPDATE TO ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX PRODUCTS OF
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
FOR GREAT LAKES.
(a) Update Required for Environmental Sensitivity Index
Products for Great Lakes.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for
Oceans and Atmosphere shall commence updating the
environmental sensitivity index products of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for each coastal area
of the Great Lakes.
(b) Periodic Updates for Environmental Sensitivity Index
Products Generally.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations and the priorities set forth in subsection
(c), the Under Secretary shall--
(1) periodically update the environmental sensitivity index
products of the Administration; and
(2) endeavor to do so not less frequently than once every 7
years.
(c) Priorities.--When prioritizing geographic areas to
update environmental sensitivity index products, the Under
Secretary shall consider--
(1) the age of existing environmental sensitivity index
products for the areas;
(2) the occurrence of extreme events, be it natural or man-
made, which have significantly altered the shoreline or
ecosystem since the last update;
(3) the natural variability of shoreline and coastal
environment; and
(4) the volume of vessel traffic and general vulnerability
to spilled pollutants.
(d) Environmental Sensitivity Index Product Defined.--In
this section, the term
[[Page H6109]]
``environmental sensitivity index product'' means a map or
similar tool that is utilized to identify sensitive
shoreline, coastal or offshore, resources prior to an oil
spill event in order to set baseline priorities for
protection and plan cleanup strategies, typically including
information relating to shoreline type, biological resources,
and human use resources.
(e) Funding.--Funds to carry out the activities under this
section shall be derived from amounts authorized to be
appropriated for the Under Secretary that are enacted after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Hawaii (Mr. Case) and the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-
Colon) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Hawaii.
General Leave
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Hawaii?
There was no objection.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy today to rise in support of S. 1342, the
Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act. I commend my
colleagues, Senators Peters and Young and Representatives Kildee and
Joyce, for their bipartisan, bicameral efforts on this legislation.
The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system by area in the
world and are home to highly productive commercial and recreational
fisheries, thriving coastal communities, and unique aquatic and
terrestrial species.
This legislation ensures that the Great Lakes are not left behind in
environmental planning. The bill requires that the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, update at least once every 7 years
its environmental sensitivity index products for each coastal area of
the Great Lakes.
These environmental sensitivity indexes, or ESI maps, are crucial
tools used in identifying sensitive coastal shorelines, biological
resources, and human-use resources prior to a disaster like an oil
spill. In emergencies, coastal managers and responders can then use
these ESI maps to properly assess the situation, allocate and
prioritize resources, and plan cleanups.
The last time the Great Lakes environmental sensitivity indexes were
updated was in the 1980s. As we all know, between the climate crisis
and human development, our environment has changed dramatically across
our country and world in that time.
In the Great Lakes, for example, we are seeing record-setting water
levels and harmful algal blooms. How these environmental factors would
interact with a disaster like an oil spill is, unfortunately, largely
guesswork with our outdated information.
It is so important that we pass this much-needed, commonsense
legislation so that the Great Lakes region is prepared in the event of
an unthinkable oil spill or other natural disaster.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Great
Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga).
Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, in the midst of a divided Washington,
D.C., it is important that Congress comes together to prioritize the
protection of the Great Lakes.
As co-chair of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force, building
bipartisan consensus that preserves the Great Lakes, strengthens their
economy, and protects them for future generations has been one of my
top priorities.
While the environmental sensitivity index maps may not be the
headline-grabbing legislation that we are sometimes used to, these maps
are critical to the communities across the Great Lakes.
We must have accurate assessments of coastal resources that are at
risk of severe damage from an emergency or a natural disaster. These
environmental assessments include information on endangered and
threatened species, vulnerable shorelines, and widely used community
resources, such as beaches, parks, and boat ramps.
The maps are vital to disaster planning, as well as recovery,
research, and restoration efforts. It is essential that we have an
accurate representation of vulnerable locations and areas in the Great
Lakes that are in need of protection in the event of an emergency.
While maps for the East Coast, the West Coast, and the Gulf Coast
have all been updated recently, maps for the Great Lakes have not been
updated in over 20 years.
To be clear, while the Great Lakes holds over 20 percent of the
world's fresh water, providing drinking water to more than 48 million
people, it supports over 1.3 million jobs, and generates billions upon
billions of dollars in economic activity. Yet, as I stated before, our
region hasn't had a proper environmental map update in more than two
decades.
This legislation, of which I am a proud cosponsor, would solve this
problem by modernizing and updating our maps of the Great Lakes.
Along Lake Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes shoreline, the
current state of erosion and high water damage is at a crisis point.
In my district, along the shores of Lake Michigan, the high water
levels are threatening not only people's homes and public
infrastructure but the overall ecology and the economy of the Great
Lakes.
Communities throughout the region have declared states of emergency
as roads, bridges, harbors, and wastewater treatment facilities, just
to name a few, are in danger due to these high water levels.
As we continue to see disasters and emergencies in the Great Lakes
region, government, at all levels, must be prepared and have up-to-date
information to act upon. This bipartisan bill would accomplish that,
while demonstrating another way my Michigan colleagues and I, and
really all of us from the Great Lakes region, are making sure the
Federal Government prioritizes and protects and preserves the Great
Lakes.
Whether it is responding to rapidly evolving events, such as a
natural disaster, or planning long-term projects, such as habitat
restoration, we need to have reliable and accurate information
available to all the players.
When it comes to protecting our lakes, habitats, and shorelines,
these updated maps will allow us to better prepare to face natural
disasters or emergencies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield an
additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga).
Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, having this updated information will help
us analyze and assess the threats facing the Great Lakes and allow us
to be more proactive instead of 100 percent reactive.
The Great Lakes are a way of life for many of us in west Michigan and
throughout the Great Lakes system, and these pristine resources help
define who we are as a community and a people. I will continue to work,
support, and advocate for commonsense reforms like today's legislation
that will protect these incredible natural resources for generations to
come.
I do want to thank my fellow colleagues who have been working on
this, Mr. Kildee from Michigan, Mr. Joyce from Ohio, and the rest of
the Great Lakes Task Force. This has been a great, true bipartisan
success story, as we have looked at increasing funding for protecting
the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the
GLRI, as well as initiatives like this.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee), the co-introducer of this important legislation.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise also in support of S. 1342, the Great
Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2020.
I was proud to introduce this legislation here in the House with my
Michigan colleagues and also with Senator Gary Peters, a Great Lakes
champion on the other side of the building. During his time in the
House and the Senate, Gary Peters has been a staunch advocate for the
Great Lakes, and I appreciate his efforts over there.
[[Page H6110]]
Mr. Chairman, I represent 118 miles of beautiful Lake Huron
shoreline. In Congress, I am proud to lead the bipartisan effort on
this legislation to protect the Great Lakes.
This legislation, as has been stated, would update and prioritize
environmental sensitivity index maps for the Great Lakes. These
environmental sensitivity maps are detailed guides that highlight
vulnerable locations, structures, and natural resources along our
lakeshore.
First responders use these maps to respond in case of emergency and
to protect habitat, species, and structures that are most likely to be
impacted by an oil spill or some other disaster.
If one of those disasters occurs in the Great Lakes, our emergency
responders must have the most up-to-date maps and information in order
to respond quickly and effectively.
These maps are maintained by NOAA. Some maps in the Great Lakes,
however, have not been updated in decades. That is why this legislation
is necessary, so that our first responders have the most up-to-date
information to do their jobs effectively. We can't have one hand tied
behind our back when protecting the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes are important to all of us. They support many jobs,
generate billions of dollars in economic activity, and provide drinking
water to 40 million people. We have to do everything we can to protect
them.
It also defines literally who we are. If you are from Michigan, you
can hold up your hand, and the contour of the lakes really defines the
shape of our State.
I would like to thank Chairman Grijalva and Chairman Huffman for
their help in getting this to the floor today. I want to thank my own
staff, Jordan Dickinson. I want to thank Rachel Gentile from the
Natural Resources Committee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, finally, I want to thank my colleagues, the
cosponsors on this legislation, Representative Huizenga, who we have
heard from; Representative Dingell; Representative Joyce; and
Representative Stevens.
This is, as Mr. Huizenga said, one of those issues that allows us to
cut across the normal divides. We work well together in a bipartisan
fashion to protect the Great Lakes. This legislation is another example
of that.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce).
Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Great
Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Act of 2020.
I was proud to join Representative Kildee in introducing this bill to
direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to update
the environmental sensitivity index maps for the Great Lakes for the
first time in many years.
ESI maps document the potential impacts from coastal resiliency
threats such as oil spills, coastal flooding, and storm damage from
high lake levels, which have recently plagued many communities in my
district.
Having grown up and lived my entire life along the shores of Lake
Erie, I know that the Great Lakes are a national treasure, an economic
powerhouse, and one of the United States' greatest natural resources.
As the largest system of surface fresh water on Earth, the Great
Lakes provide drinking water for an estimated 48 million people,
support more than 1.5 million jobs, and generate $60 billion in wages
annually. That is why it is important that we work together to protect
and preserve the lakes and the communities they sustain. This
legislation will help us do that.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill today.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, the Senate passed
this bill twice, without even holding a hearing. The House has not
taken any action on its version of the bill, H.R. 2551, even though it
has been referred to the Natural Resources Committee since last May.
The Senate Committee report on S. 1342 justified its need by stating
that the environmental sensitivity index maps for the Great Lakes
haven't been updated since the 1980s. It also states the maps haven't
been updated since between 1985 and 2004. It just depends on which
paragraph of the report you read.
Clearly, no one knows or could be bothered to find out when these
maps were updated. Apparently, it doesn't matter for some people.
CBO scores this bill as costing taxpayers $2 million, but we have no
idea where the administration is on this issue. No money was
appropriated for these indexes in 2019, and, clearly, we don't have an
answer to those questions still in this report.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 1342, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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