Mercury contamination is a significant health care risk for people in our community, and the levels appear to be way too high.

Well, I agree that it is multi-faceted. I think education is critically important. But I also think enforcement is going to be an important role here.

And through a collaborative process between the local board, our superintendent, our Congressman, Steny Hoyer, the higher ed center, and the Navy, we came together to discuss what was it going to take in order to make sure we were growing…

Today's jobs report shows employers cut 11,000 jobs in November, the smallest decline since the recession began.

It is clear that they do spread diseases. They affect the native species that are there.

S. 1214 is a critically important bill that will do much good in protecting our fish habitat.

It is not only important for clean water and for environment. It is a critically important industry and brings in significant revenues to our communities.

The amount of food that it takes in every day is having a dramatic impact on the balance within the region.

We appreciate very much the strength that you bring to this effort, and we look forward to working with you.

your concerns you are characterizing as basically technical and clarifying?

If there are other ways that Congress can be helpful on conservation in giving you additional opportunities, I would just make that an open invitation to let us know.

I am particularly proud of the work that has been done in Maryland and I congratulate you on that.

Let me thank all four of you for your testimony and for your support of the bills that are moving forward here.

The loss of wetlands affects the entire ecology of that region.

Whether it is Federal efforts on conservancy or whether it is dealing with invasive species, it is an effort to work with the private sector.

We can't do this alone. The government partners, at the Federal, State and local levels, along with the private sector are what we need in order to be able to deal with the dangers of invasive species and the conservation efforts.

This committee is very interested in following what Senator Bond was saying and being a constructive player and preserving our natural habitat for our fishermen and our hunters and the recreational users.

Have you reviewed that with Senator Nelson, the changes?