[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23596-23597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORTING NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 710) supporting the goals and ideals of 
``National Estuaries Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 710

       Whereas the estuary regions of the United States comprise a 
     significant share of the national economy, with 43 percent of 
     the population, 40 percent of employment, and 49 percent of 
     economic output located in such regions;
       Whereas coasts and estuaries contribute more than 
     $800,000,000,000 annually in trade and commerce to the 
     Nation's economy;
       Whereas more than 43 percent of all adults in the United 
     States visit a sea coast or estuary at least once a year to 
     participate in some form of recreation, generating 
     $8,000,000,000 to $12,000,000,000 in revenue annually;
       Whereas more than 28,000,000 jobs in the United States are 
     supported through commercial and recreational fishing, 
     boating, tourism, and other coastal industries that rely on 
     healthy estuaries;
       Whereas estuaries provide vital habitat for countless 
     species of fish and wildlife, including many that are listed 
     as threatened or endangered;
       Whereas estuaries provide critical ecosystem services that 
     protect human health and public safety, including water 
     filtration, flood control, shoreline stabilization and 
     erosion prevention, and protection of coastal communities 
     during extreme weather events;
       Whereas 55,000,000 acres of estuarine habitat have been 
     destroyed over the last 100 years;
       Whereas bays once filled with fish and oysters have become 
     dead zones filled with excess nutrients, chemical wastes, and 
     harmful algae;
       Whereas sea level rise is accelerating the degradation of 
     estuaries by submerging low-lying lands, eroding beaches, 
     converting wetlands to open water, exacerbating coastal 
     flooding, and increasing the salinity of estuaries and 
     freshwater aquifers;
       Whereas in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 
     U.S.C. 1451 et seq.), Congress found and declared that it is 
     national policy to preserve, protect, develop, and where 
     possible, to restore or enhance, the resources of the 
     Nation's coastal zone, including estuaries, for current and 
     future generations;
       Whereas estuary restoration efforts cost-effectively 
     restore natural infrastructure in local communities, helping 
     to create jobs and reestablish the natural functions of 
     estuaries that yield countless benefits;
       Whereas 62.3 percent of habitat restoration funds of the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under 
     the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111-5) 
     were awarded to projects in estuaries, and 90 percent of the 
     total NOAA habitat restoration funding under such Act will 
     benefit estuaries; and
       Whereas September 26, 2009, has been designated ``National 
     Estuaries Day'' to increase awareness among all citizens, 
     including local, State, and Federal officials, about the 
     importance of healthy estuaries and the need to protect them: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Estuaries 
     Day'';
       (2) acknowledges the importance of estuaries to the 
     Nation's economic well-being and productivity;
       (3) recognizes the persistent threats that undermine the 
     health of the Nation's estuaries;
       (4) applauds the work of national and community 
     organizations and public partners to promote public 
     awareness, protection, and restoration of estuaries; and
       (5) reaffirms its support for estuaries, including the 
     preservation, protection, and restoration thereof, and 
     expresses its intent to continue working to protect and 
     restore the estuaries of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) 
each will control 20 minutes.

[[Page 23597]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam 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 resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1515

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, National Estuaries Day was established 
in 1988 and is an annual celebration highlighting the need to protect 
our Nation's estuaries. Estuaries provide vital habitat for countless 
fish and wildlife species and contribute significantly to our economy 
through commerce and recreation. National Estuaries Day was celebrated 
on September 26 with numerous activities nationwide, from canoe trips 
in Washington to photography contests in Florida.
  This annual public awareness campaign informs our citizens about 
their connection to these critical places and why these ecosystems need 
to be preserved, protected, and restored. I commend Congresswoman 
Castor from Florida for introducing this resolution, and I urge its 
passage.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  The gentlelady from Guam has sufficiently explained the resolution, 
supporting the goals of National Estuaries Day. As we all know, 
estuaries are an important component to many species of birds, fish, 
and mammals. They rely on the estuaries for food, spawning, and other 
lifecycle needs. Estuaries also provide many people with recreational 
opportunities, from bird-watching to fishing and many boating 
activities. Finally, estuaries provide us with critical flood control, 
protecting coastal communities during severe storms. I support the 
resolution and urge my colleagues to pass it.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. 
Res. 710, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Estuaries Day.
  I want to thank my colleague Kathy Castor for introducing this 
resolution, which I have cosponsored. We both represent coastal 
districts that are home to amazing estuarine systems that are of great 
importance to our communities and constituents.
  In my district, the Morro Bay National Estuary is an ecological 
treasure.
  Lagoons and wetlands that were once common along the southern 
California coast are now nearly all filled and developed. But we are 
fortunate that the Morro Bay Estuary has largely survived. And we must 
continue to protect this natural resource.
  The Estuary provides vital habitat for birds and fish. It is an 
important stop-over for over 150 species of migratory birds during 
their annual migration. And it is a critical winter home to several 
other bird species. The estuary also acts as a nursery for more than 75 
percent of commercial fish species in the area.
  Since the Morro Bay Estuary was incorporated into the National 
Program in 1995, the inspiring team of staff and volunteers has 
spearheaded numerous efforts to preserve and restore the estuary.
  For example, partnering with local ranchers, the Estuary Program has 
installed riparian fencing along nearly 75,000 feet of creek to limit 
cattle access. This has protected water quality and improved riparian 
habitat on seven creeks.
  The program has provided funding to the City of Morro Bay to remove 
derelict vessels before they pollute local waters and damage habitat.
  They have also established the Estuary Nature Center and WaterFest, 
to educate the general public about the beauty of the estuary and its 
importance to water quality and conservation.
  In addition, more than 75 dedicated volunteers collect and provide 
important water quality data for the Estuary Program each year. These 
data are critical to evaluating the health of the estuary and 
watershed, as well as compiling a plan to address problems.
  Estuaries are among the richest habitats known on earth--providing 
immeasurable economic and ecological benefits. But they are threatened 
by pollution and other human activities. We must change our course and 
work harder to protect them.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of H. Res. 710--to 
recognize National Estuaries Day and the community organizations that 
fight to preserve these invaluable resources.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, having no further speakers, again, I 
urge Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 710.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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