    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [August 17, 1999]
    [Pages 1454-1455]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Water Resources Development Act of 1999
    August 17, 1999

        Today I have signed into law S. 507, the ``Water Resources
    Development Act of 1999,'' a multibillion dollar omnibus bill to
    authorize water projects and programs of the United States Army Corps of
    Engineers. I am pleased that the Act includes some program reforms, as
    well as a number of authorizations for projects and programs that are
    important to the Nation, but I also have serious reservations about this
    bill.
        I am pleased that the bill increases flood protection for
    Sacramento, California, and that the

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    Congress accepted a reform proposed by my Administration to optimize the
    use of Folsom Dam, a Federal facility protecting the city. However, I am
    disappointed that the Congress did not authorize other features needed
    to provide the higher level of flood protection sought by my
    Administration. I am committed to working with the Congress to reduce
    further the risk of flood damage facing this community.
        In 1998, I proposed an innovative approach to integrate Federal
    flood protection and environmental restoration efforts: the ``Challenge
    21'' program. I am pleased that the Congress has embraced this proposal
    and has included a $200 million authorization for it in this bill. The
    bill also removes impediments to better flood plain management and
    broadens the tools available to communities that seek to reduce their
    risk of flood damage. The bill will promote the use of effective,
    nonstructural means to address flooding concerns and complement efforts
    across the Nation to restore the environmental value of flood plains and
    aquatic ecosystems.
        I support the bill's authorization to develop and implement a
    comprehensive fish and wildlife habitat restoration plan for the
    Missouri River and to increase the amount of land along the river
    corridor authorized for acquisition from willing sellers. These
    authorizations will allow us to recreate a string of natural areas along
    the length of this great American river once traveled by Lewis and
    Clark. The legislation also includes an important authorization to study
    the effects of bank stabilization on the Yellowstone River, the Nation's
    last major freely meandering river.
        On July 1, 1999, my Administration transmitted to the Congress its
    comprehensive long-term plan to restore the Florida Everglades, which is
    one of our national treasures. I am pleased that S. 507 continues the
    authority for related Federal water resources projects in South Florida
    and look forward to working with the Congress over the next year to
    authorize the first steps in this important restoration effort.
        I also support several of the bill's provisions that authorize
    improvements to our Nation's ports and harbors. I urge the Congress to
    enact my proposed Harbor Services Fund legislation, which will ensure a
    stable source of funding to improve our national port infrastructure and
    meet the demands of the global economy.
        I am disappointed, however, in many of the provisions of S. 507. The
    amount of construction spending authorized in S. 507--over $4 billion in
    new Federal spending--far exceeds a reasonable assessment of the
    available future Federal budgetary resources for the Corps of Engineers
    program. With an existing construction backlog of more than $27 billion
    of Army Corps of Engineers water resources projects, it would require
    nearly 20 years at current funding levels just to complete all of the
    ongoing projects that the Congress previously has authorized. This
    legislation will place significant further stress on the funding
    capabilities of this program and create expectations for future funding
    that are not likely to be forthcoming.
        Roughly three-quarters of the significant new projects in this Act
    and many of its project modifications are still in the planning stage or
    undergoing review and, therefore, simply are not ready for authorization
    at this time. Until the completion of the review required for proposed
    Federal water resources projects under Executive Order 12322, neither
    the Executive branch nor the Congress is likely to know which of these
    projects will raise significant concerns regarding their scope, economic
    and technical feasibility, environmental acceptability, or the ability
    of local sponsors to provide the required cost-share.
        This legislation authorizes nearly $900 million for local
    environmental infrastructure and other projects that may be worthwhile,
    but most of which should not become a responsibility of the Army Corps
    of Engineers. In addition, although S. 507 would reduce Federal costs
    for future shore protection projects and is a first step towards
    establishing a more equitable sharing of their substantial long-term
    costs, it does not go far enough.
        My Administration will work with the Congress on the next water
    projects authorization bill for the Army Corps of Engineers to address
    these problems.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 17, 1999.

    Note: S. 507, approved August 17, was assigned Public Law No. 106-53.