[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 20232-20236]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         GREAT LAKES FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT OF 2006

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 2430) to amend the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
Restoration Act of 1990 to provide for implementation of 
recommendations of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
contained in the Great Lakes Fishery Resources Restoration Study, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 2430

       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 Fish and 
     Wildlife Restoraton Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the Great Lakes have fish and wildlife communities that 
     are structurally and functionally changing;
       (2) successful fish and wildlife management focuses on the 
     lakes as ecosystems, and effective management requires the 
     coordination and integration of efforts of many partners;

[[Page 20233]]

       (3) it is in the national interest to undertake activities 
     in the Great Lakes Basin that support sustainable fish and 
     wildlife resources of common concern provided under the 
     recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 
     authorized under Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; 
     relating to the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force);
       (4) additional actions and better coordination are needed 
     to protect and effectively manage the fish and wildlife 
     resources, and the habitats upon which the resources depend, 
     in the Great Lakes Basin;
       (5) as of the date of enactment of this Act, actions are 
     not funded that are considered essential to meet the goals 
     and objectives in managing the fish and wildlife resources, 
     and the habitats upon which the resources depend, in the 
     Great Lakes Basin; and
       (6) the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16 
     U.S.C. 941 et seq.) allows Federal agencies, States, and 
     tribes to work in an effective partnership by providing the 
     funding for restoration work.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 1004 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941b) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraphs (1), (4), and (12);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), 
     (8), (9), (10), (11), (13), and (14) as paragraphs (1), (2), 
     (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10), (11), and (12), 
     respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
     inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, 
     and that has Great Lakes fish and wildlife management 
     authority in the Great Lakes Basin''; and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (7) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (2)) the following:
       ``(8) the term `regional project' means authorized 
     activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     related to fish and wildlife resource protection, 
     restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting multiple 
     States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management 
     authority in the Great Lakes basin;''.

     SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION, REVIEW, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
                   PROPOSALS.

       Section 1005 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941c) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 1005. IDENTIFICATION, REVIEW, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 
                   PROPOSALS AND REGIONAL PROJECTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b)(2), the 
     Director--
       ``(1) shall encourage the development and, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, the implementation of fish 
     and wildlife restoration proposals and regional projects 
     based on the results of the Report; and
       ``(2) in cooperation with the State Directors and Indian 
     Tribes, shall identify, develop, and, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, implement regional projects 
     in the Great Lakes Basin to be administered by Director in 
     accordance with this section.
       ``(b) Identification of Proposals and Regional Projects.--
       ``(1) Request by the director.--The Director shall annually 
     request that State Directors and Indian Tribes, in 
     cooperation or partnership with other interested entities and 
     in accordance with subsection (a), submit proposals or 
     regional projects for the restoration of fish and wildlife 
     resources.
       ``(2) Requirements for proposals and regional projects.--A 
     proposal or regional project under paragraph (1) shall be--
       ``(A) submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the 
     Director; and
       ``(B) consistent with--
       ``(i) the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, 
     as amended;
       ``(ii) the 1954 Great Lakes Fisheries Convention;
       ``(iii) the 1980 Joint Strategic Plan for Management of 
     Great Lakes Fisheries, as revised in 1997, and Fish Community 
     Objectives for each Great Lake and connecting water as 
     established under the Joint Strategic Plan;
       ``(iv) the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and 
     Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.);
       ``(v) the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and 
     joint ventures established under the plan; and
       ``(vi) the strategies outlined through the Great Lakes 
     Regional Collaboration authorized under Executive Order 13340 
     (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; relating to the Great Lakes Interagency 
     Task Force).
       ``(3) Sea lamprey authority.--The Great Lakes Fishery 
     Commission shall retain authority and responsibility to 
     formulate and implement a comprehensive program to eradicate 
     or minimize sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes Basin.
       ``(c) Review of Proposals.--
       ``(1) Establishment of committee.--There is established the 
     Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Proposal Review 
     Committee, which shall operate under the guidance of the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
       ``(2) Membership and appointment.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall consist of 2 
     representatives of each of the State Directors and Indian 
     Tribes, of whom--
       ``(i) 1 representative shall be the individual appointed by 
     the State Director or Indian Tribe to the Council of Lake 
     Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; and
       ``(ii) 1 representative shall have expertise in wildlife 
     management.
       ``(B) Appointments.--Each representative shall serve at the 
     pleasure of the appointing State Director or Tribal Chair.
       ``(C) Observer.--The Great Lakes Coordinator of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service shall participate as an 
     observer of the Committee.
       ``(D) Recusal.--A member of the Committee shall recuse 
     himself or herself from consideration of proposals that the 
     member, or the entity that the member represents, has 
     submitted.
       ``(3) Functions.--The Committee shall--
       ``(A) meet at least annually;
       ``(B) review proposals and regional projects developed in 
     accordance with subsection (b) to assess the effectiveness 
     and appropriateness of the proposals and regional projects in 
     fulfilling the purposes of this title; and
       ``(C) recommend to the Director any of those proposals and 
     regional projects that should be funded and implemented under 
     this section.
       ``(d) Implementation of Proposals and Regional Projects.--
       ``(1) In general.--After considering recommendations of the 
     Committee and the goals specified in section 1006, the 
     Director shall--
       ``(A) select proposals and regional projects to be 
     implemented; and
       ``(B) subject to the availability of appropriations and 
     subsection (e), fund implementation of the proposals and 
     regional projects.
       ``(2) Selection criteria.--In selecting and funding 
     proposals and regional projects, the Director shall take into 
     account the effectiveness and appropriateness of the 
     proposals and regional projects in fulfilling the purposes of 
     other laws applicable to restoration of the fish and wildlife 
     resources and habitat of the Great Lakes Basin.
       ``(e) Cost Sharing.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
     (4), not less than 25 percent of the cost of implementing a 
     proposal selected under subsection (d) (excluding the cost of 
     establishing sea lamprey barriers) shall be paid in cash or 
     in-kind contributions by non-Federal sources.
       ``(2) Regional projects.--Regional projects selected under 
     subsection (d) shall be exempt from cost sharing if the 
     Director determines that the authorization for the project 
     does not require a non-Federal cost-share.
       ``(3) Exclusion of federal funds from non-federal share.--
     The Director may not consider the expenditure, directly or 
     indirectly, of Federal funds received by any entity to be a 
     contribution by a non-Federal source for purposes of this 
     subsection.
       ``(4) Effect on certain indian tribes.--Nothing in this 
     subsection affects an Indian tribe affected by an alternative 
     applicable cost sharing requirement under the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et 
     seq.).''.

     SEC. 5. GOALS OF UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 
                   PROGRAMS RELATED TO GREAT LAKES FISH AND 
                   WILDLIFE RESOURCES.

       Section 1006 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941d) is amended by 
     striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Restoring and maintaining self-sustaining fish and 
     wildlife resources.''.

     SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICES.

       Section 1007 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941e) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Great Lakes Coordination Office.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall establish a centrally 
     located facility for the coordination of all United States 
     Fish and Wildlife Service activities in the Great Lakes 
     Basin, to be known as the `Great Lakes Coordination Office'.
       ``(2) Functional responsibilities.--The functional 
     responsibilities of the Great Lakes Coordination Office shall 
     include--
       ``(A) intra- and interagency coordination;
       ``(B) information distribution; and
       ``(C) public outreach.
       ``(3) Requirements.--The Great Lakes Coordination Office 
     shall--
       ``(A) ensure that information acquired under this Act is 
     made available to the public; and
       ``(B) report to the Director of Region 3, Great Lakes Big 
     Rivers.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Director'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Director'';.
       (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``The office'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Name and location.--The office''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the Lower 
     Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office shall include 
     operational activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service related to fishery resource protection, restoration, 
     maintenance, and enhancement in the Lower Great Lakes.''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Director'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Director'';.

[[Page 20234]]

       (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``Each of the 
     offices'' and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Name and location.--Each of the offices''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the Upper 
     Great Lakes Fishery Resources Offices shall include 
     operational activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service related to fishery resource protection, restoration, 
     maintenance, and enhancement in the Upper Great Lakes.''.

     SEC. 7. REPORTS.

       Section 1008 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941f) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 1008. REPORTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2011, the 
     Director shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate a report that describes--
       ``(1) actions taken to solicit and review proposals under 
     section 1005;
       ``(2) the results of proposals implemented under section 
     1005; and
       ``(3) progress toward the accomplishment of the goals 
     specified in section 1006.
       ``(b) Public Access to Data.--For each of fiscal years 2007 
     through 2012, the Director shall make available through a 
     public access website of the Department information that 
     describes--
       ``(1) actions taken to solicit and review proposals under 
     section 1005;
       ``(2) the results of proposals implemented under section 
     1005;
       ``(3) progress toward the accomplishment of the goals 
     specified in section 1006;
       ``(4) the priorities proposed for funding in the annual 
     budget process under this title; and
       ``(5) actions taken in support of the recommendations of 
     the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration authorized under 
     Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; relating to the 
     Great Lakes Interagency Task Force).
       ``(c) Report.--Not later than June 30, 2007, the Director 
     shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives the 2002 report required under this section 
     as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the 
     Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006.''.

     SEC. 8. CONTINUED MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF STUDY FINDINGS 
                   AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

       The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service--
       (1) shall continue to monitor the status, and the 
     assessment, management, and restoration needs, of the fish 
     and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes Basin; and
       (2) may reassess and update, as necessary, the findings and 
     recommendations of the report entitled ``Great Lakes Fishery 
     Resources Restoration Study'', submitted to the President of 
     the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 
     September 13, 1995.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 1009 of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
     Restoration Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 941g) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 1009. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director 
     for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012--
       ``(1) $14,000,000 to implement fish and wildlife 
     restoration proposals as selected by the Director under 
     section 1005(e), of which--
       ``(A) not more than the lesser of 33\1/3\ percent or 
     $4,600,000 may be allocated to implement regional projects by 
     the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as selected by 
     the Director under section 1005(e); and
       ``(B) the lesser of 5 percent or $700,000 shall be 
     allocated to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to 
     cover costs incurred in administering the proposals by any 
     entity; and
       ``(2) $2,000,000, which shall be allocated for the 
     activities of the Great Lakes Coordination Office in East 
     Lansing, Michigan, of the Upper Great Lakes Fishery Resources 
     Office, and the Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office 
     under section 1007.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  S. 2430 is an important piece of conservation legislation which would 
extend the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990.
  S. 2430 continues the coordination between the numerous management 
entities, Federal, local, regional, State and tribal, involved in the 
Great Lakes region. In addition, the bill will continue the efforts to 
improve and restore fish and wildlife resources and important habitat 
areas.
  S. 2430 is sponsored by Senator Mike DeWine, and I commend the 
senator for his tireless leadership on behalf of the Great Lakes region 
and, in particular, his Ohio constituents.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), one of the real champions and 
leaders in the reauthorization of this Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
Restoration Act, my good friend.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support S. 2430, the Great Lakes Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Act, companion legislation to the House bill 
introduced by myself and Congressman Mark Kirk.
  The changes made by the Senate in S. 2430 are very positive, and I 
strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of the bill.
  Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are at a tipping point. These lakes, 
which comprise 20 percent of the earth's fresh water and 95 percent of 
North America's fresh water, are nothing less than in peril. It is 
vital this Congress do everything we can to ensure their protection and 
restoration.
  There are thousands of different species of fish and wildlife and 130 
globally endangered or rare plants and animal species that have been 
identified within the Great Lakes ecosystem. S. 2430 will reauthorize 
and improve research and conservation programs aimed at protecting and 
restoring this fragile ecosystem.
  Our bill is the product of a long and collaborative process, and this 
bipartisan legislation is supported by a wide range of groups and 
organizations working to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.
  Our bill increases the authorization level for fish and wildlife 
restoration projects and makes legislative changes that improve upon 
the Act.
  Madam Speaker, while I certainly support passage of S. 2430, I 
believe this should only be the beginning of our efforts on behalf of 
the Great Lakes. This Congress must fulfill its commitment by 
increasing appropriations for Great Lakes' restoration and other 
important activities.
  If funding were increased for projects under the Great Lakes Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Act, our local communities and their partners 
could really make a difference in reversing the downward spiral of the 
Great Lakes.
  With just a small amount of money through this program, we were able 
to restore the walleye population in Saginaw Bay in my congressional 
district. This project was a success story, and we could have many more 
with increased dollars from this Congress and administration.
  Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are our national treasure, and we must 
treat them as such. This bipartisan effort that has brought S. 2430 to 
the floor today shows us that many Members of Congress care about what 
happens to our Great Lakes.
  I have enjoyed working with Representatives Mark Kirk, Sherrod Brown, 
Vern Ehlers, Marcy Kaptur, David Hobson, Rahm Emanuel, Steve 
LaTourette, and Ron Kind, just to name a few.
  Let us pass S. 2430 so we can move forward in our efforts to protect 
and restore the Great Lakes, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I just want to take a moment to commend my good friend 
from Michigan, again, for the leadership that he has shown on this 
piece of legislation. We just recently had another hearing in the 
Resources Committee, of which he was an active participant.
  This has been a bipartisan effort with great collaboration from the 
Federal, State and local level, and obviously for those of us in the 
upper Midwest area, this does touch and affect us a little bit closer 
than perhaps the rest of the Nation.
  But the legislation does mirror the companion House bill that was 
introduced earlier, H.R. 4953, which was

[[Page 20235]]

sponsored by our friend Mr. Kildee from Michigan, along with 31 other 
House Members that were sponsors of the legislation, including myself, 
as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and also the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) who has been also a champion on this issue.
  S. 2430 would reauthorize and improve a valuable conservation program 
administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  Mr. Kildee just mentioned some of the success stories that have been 
garnered from this original bill, but as we know all too well in this 
chamber that we could pass the best authorized bill in the world, but 
if it is not supported by adequate funding, they cannot do anything 
with it. Unfortunately, the history of this bill has been a lot of 
support in both the public and private sector but not enough funding in 
order to accomplish the goals and really achieve the success that I 
know we can make in the upper Great Lakes area.
  The five Great Lakes are the crown jewels of our Nation's natural 
resources. They are the largest group of fresh water lakes in the 
entire world. This has an incredible ecosystem impact but also economic 
impact throughout the entire region.
  That is why we feel it is important to move forward on 
reauthorization, hopefully to get the support for funding the 
reauthorized bill in future years as we try to implement its 
provisions. I certainly encourage its passage tonight.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the remainder of our time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  We do thank not only Senator DeWine for his work on this but also Mr. 
Kildee from Michigan and also not only was our friend from Wisconsin a 
tremendous asset in being quarterback of the congressional team last 
week, but his quarterbacking this legislation through. I urge my 
colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this bill.
  Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2430, the Great 
Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006. This is a strong, bi-
partisan bill that deserves the support of all members.
  As many of you know, my district is home to the Lake Ontario 
shoreline. From its recreational use to its natural beauty, Lake 
Ontario directly affects a majority of my constituents.
  Areas on Lake Ontario like the Sodus Bay Chimney Bluffs and 
Irondequoit Bay, to the various trout streams and wetland marshes, all 
shape the landscape of this unique area. But this diverse landscape and 
its ecosystem are in need of attention. All the Great Lakes are in need 
of repair. This legislation allows us to begin the much needed 
restoration of the Great Lakes.
  Unfortunately, I must admit that nearly half of the original wetlands 
of the Great Lakes have been lost due to adverse threats like non-point 
source pollution and invasive species. These lost wetlands were the 
home to the sensitive ecosystem that is the building block of the 
larger Great Lakes basin. The basin is home to \1/5\ of the earth's 
fresh water and it commands our attention. This legislation helps get 
us there.
  Lastly, this legislation is the first step in implementing the Great 
Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy that President Bush commissioned 
in 2004. Since that time, the findings and recommendations have been 
used to develop an all encompassing piece of legislation, H.R. 5100, 
the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act. This bill includes a 
coordinated effort to clean up sewage treatment plants as well as the 
polluted waters and toxic waste water left over from the industrial 
boom of past generations. H.R. 5100 includes funding for permanent 
barriers to protect Lake Michigan and the basin from the invasive Asian 
Carp species.
  Similar to our Nation's successful efforts in the Everglades and the 
Chesapeake Bay, we must do the same for the Great Lakes. Congress must 
implement H.R. 5100, and the passage of S. 2430 is a critical first 
step.
  Streams, rivers, marshes and wetlands all over the basin are polluted 
and in dire need of attention. We know that restoration, protection and 
conservation can restore the Great Lakes much like the Everglades and 
Chesapeake Bay. The fish and wildlife that call these areas home must 
be restored to protect the magnificence of the lakes for generations to 
come.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2430, the 
Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act. This important bill 
reauthorizes the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration grant 
program first enacted in 1990 and renewed in 1998. It builds upon the 
successes of the program and ensures that both fish and wildlife 
resources will receive attention. It also expands the scope of the 
initiative to include grants for regional restoration work undertaken 
by Federal, State, and tribal partnerships. The funds authorized in 
this legislation are critical to the widespread efforts to restore the 
vitality and water quality of the Great Lakes basin.
  This bill is one small piece of the broader package of restoration 
priorities contained in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) 
Strategy, released in December 2005. It is also largely the same as 
Title II of my bill, H.R. 5100, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 
Implementation Act. I am pleased that we are moving forward to enact 
some of the changes recommended by the GLRC in its comprehensive 
strategic action plan. I strongly encourage my colleagues to not only 
provide the necessary authorizations for conducting restoration 
activities in the Great Lakes, but also to provide the funding required 
as well. It is unfortunate that this program has received paltry levels 
of funding in recent years; much more is needed to accomplish the goals 
laid out in the GLRC Strategy.
  I thank Senator DeWine, Congressman Kildee, Congressman Kirk, and all 
the other Members who sponsored and supported this legislation. Today 
is a victory for the Great Lakes and for the thousands of good people 
working to protect and restore fish and wildlife resources there.
  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2430, the 
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. I would like to thank 
Mr. Kildee (D-MI) for his leadership on this critical effort to restore 
one of our nation's most precious natural resources.
  The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act reauthorizes the 
Fish and Wildlife Service to double the annual grants to States and 
tribes for the enhancement, conservation and restoration of fish and 
wildlife habitats in the Great Lakes. Since 1998, $3.9 million in 
federal funds and $2.7 million in non-federal matching funds were 
directed toward these efforts. The Act clearly draws vast participation 
from the Great Lakes communities in restoring this tremendous resource.
  A key component of this legislation is wetland restoration. In 
Illinois, wetlands provide protective habitats for the forty percent of 
the state's endangered species and help stave off major flooding. 
Unfortunately, a staggering ninety percent of Illinois' wetlands have 
been destroyed. Through grants provided by the Great Lakes Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Act, 68 acres of rare wetlands in the northeastern 
Illinois' Nature Preserves were restored. Another eight wetland 
restoration projects were undertaken in the Chicago area. We must 
provide the authorization and management to continue such restoration 
and reverse the rapid rate of wetland destruction around the Great 
Lakes.
  I want to thank Chad Lord from the Healing Our Waters--Great Lakes 
Coalition, Cameron Davis of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and all 
the other organizations that work tirelessly on behalf of our 
environment and the Great Lakes. I urge my colleagues to support this 
bi-partisan legislation so that we may continue our mission to provide 
for the long-term sustainability of this treasured ecosystem.
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity 
to express my strong support for S. 2430, the Great Lakes Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006 (GLFWRA), which passed the House 
yesterday. This important legislation makes available critical federal 
dollars allowing state and tribal management agencies to take 
significant strides to address the challenges threatening Great Lakes 
fish and wildlife resources and habitats. This bipartisan bill passed 
the Senate by unanimous consent and I am hopeful will be signed by the 
President soon. I believe the reauthorization of the GLFWRA will go a 
long way to help protect the environmental and economic health of one 
of our nation's most unique and splendid natural treasures: the Great 
Lakes.
  In both size and ecological diversity, there is no other freshwater 
system which matches that of the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes are 
simply magical. They offer outstanding recreational and tourism 
opportunities. The Great Lakes are a source of drinking water for 
millions of residents and provide a safe and efficient mode of 
transportation in the region. Obviously, the Great Lakes also provide 
habitat for our fisheries and wildlife. Ohioans know what Lake Erie 
means for the state's economy. Lake Erie alone produces more fish for 
human consumption each year than the other four lakes combined. And, 
Lake Erie supports a $1 billion a year sport-fishing

[[Page 20236]]

industry and one of the largest freshwater commercial fisheries in the 
world. There is no question that restoration and protection of one of 
our nation's most unique and precious resources, the Great Lakes, 
warrants the level of federal commitment reauthorized under S. 2430.
  I am pleased that S. 2430 is consistent with the Great Lakes Regional 
Collaboration's (GLRC) Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes. 
The GLRC is a tremendous effort to coordinate the pathway forward for 
the restoration, protection, and sustainable use of our Great Lakes. I 
am pleased that passage of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife 
Restoration Act will advance the GLRC goals which were developed 
through extensive collaboration of federal, state, tribal, and local 
partners.
  The challenges facing the Great Lakes will not be solved overnight, 
but the GLRC process has designed a unifying strategy forward, and I 
strongly support S. 2430 as one part of that strategy to restore and 
protect our invaluable Great Lakes.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill, S. 2430, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill, as amended, was 
passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________