Political Quotes

“I want to commend Senate Graham, the chairman of the subcommittee, and Senator Chafee, the ranking minority member of the subcommittee, on the development of sound and constructive amendments to the bill introduced last spring--S. 1114. As a member of the committee, I look forward to working with Chairman Baucus, Senator Graham, Senator Chafee, and other members of the committee, in developing the best possible legislation to protect our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Since 1991, I have sponsored legislation to expand and strengthen protection of freshwater lakes. Freshwater lakes are an outstanding recreational resource throughout the country, especially in my home State of Maine. For many Americans, a lake at a State or local park is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of the water resources and water quality. Unfortunately, lakes have serious water quality problems. The environmental Protection Agency reports that 25 percent of lakes are impaired and 20 percent are threatened with impairment. Many of the pollutants causing lake impairments are conventional, rather than toxic, pollutants and excessive nutrients and phosphorus are critical problems. My legislation, S. 1198, expands the existing clean lakes program under section 314 of the Clean Water Act.”