Sherwood Boehlert: “I think the last vote, the last recorded vote, indicates that there is strong sentiment for making some adjustments to…”

“I think the last vote, the last recorded vote, indicates that there is strong sentiment for making some adjustments to H.R. 961, as reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. As a matter of fact, we had a 184 vote, indicating that people want some adjustment. I have been told that if we break down the overall package and bring some of the most important component parts before this body, we will have a better chance of achieving our objective. Therefore, we are doing just that. This amendment I am offering deals with the Coastal Zone Management Program. As we all know, the committee's bill repeals that very important program. The program cries out for reform, not repeal. Nonpoint source pollution impairs more water bodies nationwide than any other pollution source. Nearly half of all estuarine waters are impaired or threatened, mostly from nonpoint sources. Pollution has limited the harvest of over one-third of all shellfish beds in the United States, and more than 10,000 beaches, 10,000 beaches, were closed to the public over the past 5 years, and 46 out of 50 States have banned or issued health advisories on fish consumption, because of contamination from dangerous toxins. Clearly, this is a public health-public safety issue, as well as an environmental issue. The health costs pose even greater threats to the public welfare, not to mention the declining fisheries, the lost income, jobs for the tourism industry.…”