David Vitter: “Today, of course, I rise in strong support of this Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act, H.R. 2957, because it truly…”

“Today, of course, I rise in strong support of this Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act, H.R. 2957, because it truly will revitalize a national treasure for the American people. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is about 5,000 square miles. It encompasses 16 parishes in Southeast Louisiana, as well as four Mississippi counties. It is one of the largest estuaries in the United States, and at the center of this basin is 630 square miles of water, Lake Pontchartrain, that is surrounded by almost 1.5 million residents, making it the most populated area in the State of Louisiana. The problem with this area is that over the past 60 years wetlands loss, human activities, natural forces have had a lot of adverse impacts on the Pontchartrain Basin. Wetlands around the basin have been drained, dredged, filled and channeled for oil and gas development. Storm water discharges, inadequate waste water treatment, agricultural activities, they have all significantly degraded water quality. Loss of wetlands due to subsistence, salt water intrusion, and hurricanes also have harmed basin wildlife populations and placed 13 species, 13, on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened or Endangered Species List.”