Political Quotes

“the programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, especially NOAA's hydrographic survey, current and tide measurements, and nautical charts are extremely important to ensure safe marine commerce and navigation. H.R. 958 is noncontroversial legislation that would make helpful amendments to the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act to clarify authority and address recognized gaps in operations. I am pleased that this legislation would authorize emergency response survey teams to go in and resurvey coastal areas after catastrophic storms which will enhance safe navigation for both commercial mariners and recreational boaters. I am also very much appreciative that this legislation includes my amendment adopted by the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans to authorize specific annual funding for water level observations important to my State of Michigan. Great Lakes water level measurements constitute one of the longest, high-quality hydrological data sets in North America. Reference gauge records begin as far back as 1860 and some sporadic records date back to the early 1800s. We will learn from these observations that the water levels of the Great Lakes can and do fluctuate greatly from year to year. These fluctuations can have dramatic negative consequences for shipping, port and marine operations, and lakeshore erosion throughout the Great Lakes Basin.”