Peter Torkildsen: “Mr. Chairman, I seek recognition in order to engage the distinguished chairman of the appropriations subcommittee in a…”

“Mr. Chairman, I seek recognition in order to engage the distinguished chairman of the appropriations subcommittee in a colloquy. I want to inquire of the subcommittee chairman with regard to the bill before us, the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 1997. Specifically, I am inquiring as to the committee's commitment to alleviate the disproportionate financial burden on families and businesses on the North Shore of Massachusetts due to the cost of complying with the federally mandated Clean Water Act. My district includes communities within the South Essex Sewage District, known as SESD, which is in the midst of a funding crisis. Families will soon face water and sewage rates in excess of $2,000 a year to pay for federally imposed clean water mandates. The effects of these rates on families will be devastating, and the rate of increase may force some businesses to relocate elsewhere. Also, the communities of Gloucester, Amesbury, Manchester By-the-Sea, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Salisbury and Lynn are facing similar funding crises.”