Rick Lazio: “I rise today to support the Saxton-Boehlert-Roemer substitute to H.R. 961, the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1995. This…”

“I rise today to support the Saxton-Boehlert-Roemer substitute to H.R. 961, the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1995. This substitute is a sensible, reform measure which fixes many of the problems associated with Clean Water Act regulations, without sacrificing essential protections, particularly in the areas of wetlands policy and coastal zone management. Long Islanders have always had a special appreciation for the delicate nature of our Nation's waters and the need to protect them for our economic health, as well as for future generations. My constituents carry on this tradition of concern. Long Island is, after all, an island. My district on the south shore has over 35 miles of coastal shoreline. Long Island's coastal waters are a premier source of recreation and the backbone of an essential tourism industry, which relies on our vast stretch of sandy beaches. In addition, they house thousands of acres of shellfish beds, and support both commercial and sport fishing. Because of this reliance on our coastal waters, both wetlands protection and coastal zone management are essential to both the economic health and quality of life on Long Island. Wetlands are a natural filtering system which help protect the health of our fish population as well as help filter pollutants from seeping into our groundwater. Yet H.R. 961 would remove over 60 percent of our Nation's wetlands from any level of protection.”