I would be concerned that if we are not more specific in statute, we could fall back to a time where it may not be as high a priority.

What can you do in working with local governments to have a more effective way of dealing with the stormwater issues affecting the bay?

I am glad you mentioned No Child Left Inside. Of course, Congressman Sarbanes has been the leader on that issue.

The Chesapeake Bay is also in trouble.

Well, I think management is a critical issue.

To me, this is one of the low-hanging fruit areas that we should be able to do much more effective work in and it can be done in a cost-effective manner.

I think it is an opportunity perhaps for us to institutionalize a better public transparency on how decisions are made.

We are at a D in our grading system and that is not acceptable. We are in poor quality. That is not acceptable.

I do think with a new administration, there are always new opportunities. We should try to take advantage of this.

Without objection, we will include the report in our committee record for today's hearing.

We want to see them act in order to protect the environment.

There is a new administration in town. They certainly have a different priority as it relates to the environment.

I agree with Mr. Hutchison's point, that it has to be equal to the efforts being made by other sources of bay nutrients.

This hearing of the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works will come to order.

I think we really need to think out of just the current structure because it was well-intended, but I am not sure it gives us the effect of monitoring to reach the goals that we set and that you are going to need a stronger framework to…

The good news on the Chesapeake Bay is that there is broad consensus that we have got to take this to a new level.

It would be good to have clear direction in statute on these types of issues.

Climate change is affecting Maryland today.

Smog is more than a nuisance--it is a real and persistent health threat.

Controlling air pollution is a critical element in restoring the health of the Chesapeake.

We need rules and regulations that are based on good science and the rule of law . . . rules and regulations that don't get over-turned by the courts.

I would suggest that part of this is making a commitment to get the science answers to these questions.

We could do a lot better. We made some progress, by the way, in the last Congress, and I want to see us continue to make progress to help vulnerable small businesses.

I hope that you will look at this position as being an advocate and providing independent information.

Let me make it clear, we need an energy policy in this Country that will provide for energy security and deal with the greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change.