James Oberstar

I would take issue that the Clean Water Act has, in a broad, sweeping statement, outlived its usefulness.

We need to get on with the things that we know can be done.

Again, I appreciate all of you participating and sharing with us your wisdom, your thoughts, your energy, and your passion for protecting the Chesapeake.

That was the wrong thing to do at the right time. The right time was back then.

I want to see this bay revived, and I want those life forms, like crabs, oysters, and fish, to thrive, not just survive.

If we fail to meet the targets expected of us, we expect there to be some consequences coming from the EPA.

We have to deal with all of those things. We have to walk and chew gum at the same time.

This is not just an issue, though, for Virginia, Maryland, Delaware.

I don't want farmers, of whom I have a great number in my district, to feel beleaguered or feel that this Chesapeake Bay restoration is solely aimed at them.

We meant what we said.

I would like to thank Representative Wittman for carrying through on a conversation we had during the State Revolving Loan Fund legislation.

The purpose of this Act is to establish and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters.

We ought to reinstate the grant program to do these things.

I look forward to seeing that, and I think that is the key element.

We hope that the bill will recognize what the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council has adopted as a new methodology.

Let me also say that we acknowledge as well that there is a new day dawning for the Chesapeake Bay, kicked off principally by President Obama's executive order.

Not to mention the torpedo that the Supreme Court fired, two of them, at the Clean Water program.

We also must acknowledge that the jurisdictions making up the watershed, some are rural, others are urban in nature, and perhaps we need to look more broadly at that very, very significant investment.

This is a beginning, one of several, but I intend this, and I know that Chairwoman Johnson does as well, and Mr. Boozman, to be a serious sustained and successful effort.

I dispute those who say we need to study this issue more.

It is very commendable that both of you stand shoulder to shoulder on this issue.

It is action time now. That is the purpose of this hearing to find out what the actions are that we need to take.

I would echo Secretary Wilson and Governor O'Malley that there should be a deadline.

I want to express my appreciation to you for your continued vigilance over aviation safety.

I urge Governor Lingle to aggressively take action to use highway funds provided by the ARRA.