Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2442) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to expand the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2442, introduced by our colleague, Representative George Miller of California, would authorize six projects as part of the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program. When completed, these projects are expected to create up to 14,470 acre-feet of recycled water.

At a time, Mr. Speaker, when imported water in California is unreliable, the Title XVI water recycling program is a tool that communities can use to create a reliable local supply to meet future demands for both northern and southern California and across the West.

So I ask my colleagues to support passage of this very important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2950) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2950, as amended, would allow a water district in central Utah to pay off the debt it owes to the Federal Government early. The bill, sponsored by Congressman Jim Matheson of Utah, has broad bipartisan support.

I ask my colleagues to support passage of this important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), the author of this legislation, such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this very important piece of legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3123) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3123, introduced by our colleague, Representative Doug Lamborn, would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to remedy problems caused by collapses in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. Due to structural deterioration, contaminated water has backed up in the tunnel, posing a public health threat and an environmental threat.

I ask my colleagues to support the bill's passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time and would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 905) to expand the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the only national marine sanctuary located in the Great Lakes. The sanctuary provides protection for more than 100 nationally significant historic shipwrecks in an area of Lake Huron known as ``shipwreck alley,'' but an equal number of historic wrecks lie immediately north and south of the existing sanctuary boundary.

The pending measure would extend the sanctuary's boundary to encompass more than 100 additional shipwrecks and submerged resources and afford to these historic resources the protection, research, education and public outreach capabilities of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.

This bipartisan legislation, introduced by our colleague, Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan, is strongly supported by the administration, the State of Michigan, the affected counties, the communities, the local chambers of commerce, and the Thunder Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council.

So I ask Members on both sides of the aisle to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the author of this legislation, such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I inquire if the minority has any additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1771) to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken bold steps to meet the bay's emerging challenges with ecosystem-based science, new coastal management techniques, and an effective environmental literacy program. However, these new priorities are not reflected in the office's existing authorizing statute.

The pending measure, introduced by Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland, would realign the office and improve its ability to support ecosystem-based management, research science and education, all of which are very essential in our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the author of this legislation, such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Kratovil) such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1053) to require the Office of Management and Budget to prepare a crosscut budget for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, to require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and implement an adaptive management plan, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, restoration of Chesapeake Bay continues to be a very important goal for Congress and the administration, yet accounting and oversight is difficult because the restoration activities are managed concurrently by a network of Federal agencies, States, and nongovernmental organizations.

The pending measure introduced by our colleague, Mr. Wittman of Virginia, would enhance congressional oversight of restoration activities in Chesapeake Bay by requiring the preparation of a crosscut budget. It would also require the Environmental Protection Agency and other partners to develop and implement a comprehensive adaptive management strategy for restoration activities to ensure that the best available scientific information is incorporated.

So I ask Members, Mr. Speaker, to support H.R. 1053.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the author of this legislation, Mr. Wittman of Virginia, and I again urge Members to support this very important legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address concerns over the definition of ``coral reef' in H.R. 860, which were raised by the gentleman from Oklahoma, a co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Congressman Dan Boren, during a Committee on Natural Resources mark-up on April 22, 2009.

My colleague was concerned that the definition of ``coral reef' inappropriately included references to limestone structures that could have been interpreted to include sea floor habitat beyond what is commonly recognized as a coral reef.

The bill, which was amended and adopted in the whole House by voice vote on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, includes revisions to this definition that better capture the physical structure and biological elements of coral reefs. The new definition also limits the geographic scope of coral reefs to those features that appear as reefs and shoals. In this regard, this new definition makes it clear that areas which are composed mainly of limestone bedrock, such as large areas of seabed on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, are not coral reefs for the purposes of this Act.

This definition is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association and I appreciate their collaboration in developing this compromise.

I am confident that this new definition will provide clear guidance to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their interpretation of this Act, and I thank my colleague, Congressman Boren for providing constructive clarification of this definition.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 860) to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, last year the release of the Monaco Declaration made it apparent that ocean acidification is inevitable and will cause severe damage to coral reef ecosystems. This consensus of over 150 scientists from 26 nations is a clear statement that we must take action now to reduce and eliminate stresses on corals so that they can be conserved for future generations. H.R. 860, the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009, enhances the Federal Government's ability to respond to emergency situations and to protect reefs from damage caused by vessel groundings. It also codifies the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which has worked tirelessly to build partnerships and strategies for on-the- ground and in-the-water actions to conserve these ecosystems.

There is an urgent need to pass H.R. 860 to improve our ability to reduce and eliminate the stresses on these precious coral reef ecosystems. Mr. Speaker, my district of Guam is one of the several U.S. Coral Reef Task Force jurisdictions. The health of coral reefs in the waters surrounding the island jurisdictions and off the State of Florida is key to our economic standing and to the protection of our environment. H.R. 860 is, therefore, of particular importance to my district. Reauthorizing the law will afford the territories the opportunity and the resources necessary to continue to develop and implement local action strategies for the conservation of our coral reefs in partnership with the Federal Government. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I ask Members on both sides to support its passage and look forward to the opportunity of working with leaders in the other body to enact this bill into law in this Congress.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I submit for the Record the following exchange of letters between the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Science and Technology concerning H.R. 860.

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, July 9, 2009.

Hon. Nick J. Rahall II,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 860,

the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and

Enhancement Amendments of 2009.

H.R. 860 contains provisions within the Rule X jurisdiction

of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the interest of

permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously to floor

consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive

this Committee's right mark up these bills. I do so with the

understanding that by waiving consideration of H.R. 860, the

Committee on Foreign Affairs does not waive any future

jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in

the bills which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.

Further, I request your support for the appointment of

Foreign Affairs Committee conferees during any House-Senate

conference convened on this legislation. I would ask that you

place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 860 and

insert the letters in the Congressional Record when the House

has this bill under consideration.

I look forward to working with you as we move these

important measures through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time and would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the gentlelady from Florida, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, for her very strong words in support of this bill and, of course, from the opposite side of the aisle, the manager of the bill here, Mr. Chaffetz of Utah. I want to thank them for their support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill. I thank them for their support on the floor here.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1080) to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1080, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2009. The United States demonstrates strong leadership in fisheries management both nationally and internationally. However, despite these efforts, many marine fish stocks around the world are exploited or depleted, which is driven, in part, by the persistence of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (or IUU) fishing. With an annual global value of over $10 billion, IUU fishing undermines the United States' fisheries management efforts and its fishermen, as well as efforts to sustainably manage fisheries in other countries.

IUU fishing in recent years has impinged, for example, the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding my district of Guam and our neighboring Mariana Islands. This is a problem, Mr. Speaker, that has increasingly evidenced itself elsewhere in the U.S. EEZ and must be addressed. H.R. 1080 would strengthen and improve the enforcement authorities of various U.S. fisheries acts and would authorize a cooperation-and-assistance program to help other countries develop the technical expertise to confront IUU fishing. The bill is strongly supported by the U.S. fishing industry, the administration, and marine conservation interests.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask Members on both sides to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2802) to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in honor of former President John Adams and his legacy, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Among the many statues and monuments in this city, there are none that honor our second President, John Adams, nor the contributions made by his family to our Nation's history.

In 2001, Congress authorized the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia and its environs. This authority will expire on December 2, 2009, but several more years are required to complete fundraising, final design, and construction.

H.R. 2802, introduced by our distinguished colleague from Massachusetts, Representative Delahunt, would extend the legislative authority necessary for this important endeavor for 4 additional years, as recommended by the administration.

Mr. Speaker, we commend Representative Delahunt for his efforts in this legislation. We support passage of H.R. 2802 and urge its adoption by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3113) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Elk River in the State of West Virginia for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3113, introduced by the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Mr. Nick Rahall, reflects the continuing efforts by the people of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, to preserve and protect the most significant natural and historic resources that they are blessed with in that area.

The pending legislation would have the National Forest Service conduct a study on a segment of the Elk River within the county to determine its eligibility for designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

On behalf of Chairman Rahall, I would like to commend the Pocahontas County Commission for its leadership in this matter.

With that, I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2265) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Magna Water District water reuse and groundwater recharge project, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2265, introduced by my colleague who is assisting me in managing the bills on the floor today, Representative Chaffetz from the State of Utah, would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the planning, the design, and the construction of the Magna Water District water reuse and groundwater recharge project. When constructed, this project will remove perchlorate from the contaminated groundwater and create a new water supply for the community. Title XVI water recycling projects like H.R. 2265 allow local communities to stretch their limited water supplies.

I ask my colleagues to support the passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this very important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2522) to raise the ceiling on the Federal share of the cost of the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2522, introduced by our colleague Representative Elton Gallegly, would raise the existing authorization ceiling to authorize funds for phases 2 and 3 of the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project. When these phases are completed, it is expected that the project will produce 43,000 acre-feet of water annually.

At a time when reported water is unreliable, the title XVI water recycling program is a tool that communities can use to create a reliable local supply to meet all of the future demands.

I ask my colleagues to support passage of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2741) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the City of Hermiston, Oregon, water recycling and reuse project, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2741, introduced by our colleague, Representative Greg Walden, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to participate in the planning, the design, and the construction of the city of Hermiston water recycling and reuse project.

This legislation is a good example of how the Title 16 water recycling program can be used in a predominantly agriculture community to meet water quality standards, create a new water supply for irrigation, and help endangered species in the Umatilla River.

I ask my colleagues to support passage of this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time and would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 599) honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 599 was introduced by our colleague from Massachusetts, Representative Ed Markey, and would recognize the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts.

Minute Man National Historical Park was established 50 years ago yesterday. It preserves for Americans and the world the places and the landscapes along the route from Boston to Concord, known as the Battle Road, where the first battles of our War of Independence were fought. The park also memorializes the renowned American soldiers, the Minutemen, trained volunteers who were always ready to march at a minute's notice.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 599 commemorates the enduring legacy of this Nation's fight for freedom, liberty and democracy and pays tribute to a park that celebrates the birthplace of American independence.

I commend Representative Markey and his cosponsor, Representative Niki Tsongas, for their timely and diligent work on this resolution. I ask my colleagues to support passage of this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time and would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.