Political Quotes

“I rise today as an original cosponsor to express my strong support for the Chesapeake Bay environmental restoration and protection bill introduced by Senator Sarbanes. This bill expands the authority of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. It establishes a pilot program for the corps to assist in the design and construction of water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. I have consistently fought for the future of the bay, supporting projects as diverse as erosion control structures at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, oyster reseeding programs, and funding of improvements to the Back River sewage treatment plant. This bill represents an important step in my fight for continued protection and restoration of the bay. This bill will allow beneficial uses of dredge materials, protect eroding shorelines, and restore wetlands habitats. Under this legislation, dredge materials could be used for creative solutions to shoreline erosion and the resulting water quality degradation. By using clean dredge material to rebuild and protect eroding islands, the sediment dumped in the bay would be significantly reduced. Less sediment means improved water quality and a healthier bay. Clean dredge material could also be used to rebuild lost wetlands. Wetlands are a vital link in the bay's ecosystem. They provide essential habitat for waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife.”