William Tauzin: “I received a letter today that I want to read to the House. It is a letter from a young man named Patrick Becnel: My…”

“I received a letter today that I want to read to the House. It is a letter from a young man named Patrick Becnel: My name is Patrick R. Becnel. I am twenty-eight years old and married with two children. I am a life long resident of Plaquemines Parish and a sixth generation citrus grower in the Jesuit Bend area. I have recently run into a serious problem in obtaining continued financing for my farm operation. The nature of this problem has been a letter from the Dept. of Corps. of Engineers. A wetland designation on a portion of my farming operation. In an effort to obtain additional necessary financing the bank required an appraisal on my farming operation. The appraiser stated that due to a letter dated in November 1991, which is now expired, no value would be allocated to the portion of land subject to wetlands determination. This land is within the Plaquemines Parish maintained hurricane protection levee. We desperately and urgently request your assistance in this matter.”