Political Quotes

“My amendment would direct the GAO study in section 130 to specifically consider trough bars, coastal wetlands, and barrier reefs in their study on the feasibility of natural features projects for the purposes of flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Section 130 directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a study of consideration by the Corps of Engineers of natural features and nature-based features in the study of the feasibility of projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Specifically, one aspect of the GAO study of consideration in H.R. 8 asks for an assessment of the costs, benefits, impacts, and tradeoffs associated with natural features and nature-based features, as well as the effectiveness of such features. My amendment specifies some of the natural features and nature-based features that could and should be considered by adding the language: ``(including trough bars, coastal wetlands, and barrier coral reefs)''. In my home State of Florida, we are no stranger to the issue associated with national features and the role they play in storm damage reduction, especially after the devastating effects of last year's hurricane season, but this is by no means a Florida-specific issue. Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy showed us firsthand what happens when natural flood protection features do not exist.…”