[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT WATER RESOURCES REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT ACT (H.R. 
                                 3080)

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted in 
support of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) 
Conference Report. Unfortunately, I attended the funeral for a family 
member and missed the vote.
  The Water Resources Reform and Development Act authorizes the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers' mission, ensuring our nation's waterways have 
the resources to improve infrastructure and create jobs while providing 
flood protection and environmental restoration. Long overdue, the 
conference report to H.R. 3080 will ensure economic growth for years to 
come.
  I'm pleased that the conference report includes my language 
addressing the threat of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio 
River basins and tributaries. The Fish and Wildlife Service in 
coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park 
Service, and the Geological Survey will lead a multiagency preventative 
effort working with state and local governments. These federal agencies 
will provide critical technical assistance, coordination, best 
practices, and support to slow and eventually eliminate the threat 
posed by Asian carp.
  I want to thank the coalition of governmental agencies, private, and 
non-governmental organizations that have supported my bill. 
Particularly, I want to thank the Upper River Services, LLC, Water Ways 
Council, National Wildlife Federation, and Trout Unlimited.
  I look forward to working with these groups and the Administration to 
implement this language and to ensure that our communities have the 
resources and tools they need to better respond to the dangers posed by 
these invasive species.

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