Gerry Studds: “Let me say again as forcefully and calmly as I can, I do not think it is stretching the point at all to suggest that the…”

“Let me say again as forcefully and calmly as I can, I do not think it is stretching the point at all to suggest that the logic underlying this bill applies as well and as thoroughly to local zoning as it does to any statute which in any way diminishes the value of property at any level of government. We need to make public policy decisions at all levels of government as to wherein lies the public interest and wherein lies the private interest. When there is a conflict, we have some tough calls to make. But the fifth amendment to the Constitution has been there for a long time. It is going to be there whatever we do or do not do today, tomorrow, or next week. it does not need our help. What does need our help are the wetlands of our country, half of which have been gone since the first Europeans came here, the habitat for species, the cleansing of our waters, the flood protection, the nurseries of our fisheries; these are absolutely priceless. No dollar value can be put upon these natural resources. They are the ones at this point that need our protection.”