Bud Shuster: “I certainly understand what the gentleman from Washington is trying to accomplish here. The reason I oppose it is not…”

“I certainly understand what the gentleman from Washington is trying to accomplish here. The reason I oppose it is not because of what he is attempting to do, but the Federal Highway Administration currently has strongly supported and encouraged the use and implementation of green infrastructure in the Federal aid transportation projects to mitigate highway runoff impacts. FHWA recently published a new storm water runoff model, and it is engaged in various storm water research, including storm water performance measures. The Department of Transportation also is part of a Federal agency green infrastructure collaborative. This initiative includes working with States to implement integrated ecosystems, including landscape- scale mitigation. So I don't believe we need to legislate further on this. I also would make note that just last night, we agreed to the amendment of Ms. Edwards of Maryland on storm water mitigation to put the States in the metropolitan planning process. {time} 1615 Again, I understand what the gentleman is trying to accomplish. I think it is already in the legislation. I think it is already in current law, so I would oppose the amendment Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.”