Norman D. Dicks: “I am supporting the bill today but understand that the Committee on Rules has chosen not to protect the language that…”

“I am supporting the bill today but understand that the Committee on Rules has chosen not to protect the language that has just been mentioned on the Florida Everglades restoration project. It is my hope that the language remains in the bill and that the language is ultimately adopted. I would say that this certainly could have an impact on the committee's judgments in the future about the funding levels for this project if, in fact, this language is stricken. I just say that to give everyone fair warning. The project is one of the most important environmental projects this subcommittee has ever undertaken, but we are at a critical juncture. The chairman and I feel very strongly that the Secretary of Interior has an equal voice, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Water Management District. We have appropriated over a billion dollars in this bill over the course of the project and believe that this language ensures that. I strongly support this year's bill and sincerely hope that the committee's guidance is maintained.”