[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13373]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN RESTORATION ACT OF 2014

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 2014

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Columbia 
River Basin Restoration Act, a bill that would bring much needed 
resources to cleaning up toxic pollution in the Columbia River Basin. 
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. The 
River and its tributaries provide significant ecological and economic 
benefits to the Pacific Northwest and the entire United States. 
Historically, the Columbia and its tributaries have constituted the 
largest salmon-producing river system in the world, with annual returns 
peaking at 16 million fish.
  The Columbia River was designated an Estuary of National Significance 
in 1995 and a Large Aquatic Ecosystem (LAE) by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006. Yet it remains the only LAE to receive 
zero Congressional funding--despite a growing problem of toxic 
contamination throughout the River Basin.
  Toxics are present throughout the Columbia River Basin, and are 
harmful to humans, fish, and wildlife. These contaminants make their 
way into fish tissues, which, when consumed, can be harmful for human 
health. Some of these toxics are known to cause cancer, and have been 
linked with neurological, developmental and reproductive problems, 
including birth defects and learning disabilities. This concern is 
particularly pressing for tribal populations, who consume local fish in 
large quantities.
  Last year, the States of Oregon and Washington issued fish advisories 
warning the public to protect itself against mercury and PCB 
contamination by limiting consumption of resident fish species living 
in the 150 mile stretch of river between Bonneville and McNary Dams.
  This bill would authorize the EPA to establish a voluntary, 
competitive Columbia River Basin grants program for projects that 
assist in eliminating or reducing pollution, improving water quality, 
monitoring, and promoting citizen engagement. Eligible entities may 
include States, Indian tribes, local governments, nonprofits, and 
private landowners. The legislation authorizes $50 million per year for 
five years for this effort, which are estimated to create between 700 
and 1,000 family wage jobs per year in the region.
  This bill is supported by a diverse group of stakeholders including 
the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Columbia River Inter-Tribal 
Fish Commission, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, and Salmon-
Safe. Now is the time to clean up the Columbia River and improve water 
quality and river health for generations to come.

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