Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, this legislation before us today claims to resolve a local and narrow conflict over water rights between the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado ski industry. Unfortunately, this bill's scope and impacts have been expanded far beyond its originally stated intent. Under the guise of addressing a specific local water rights issue the Republican majority is once again trying to tie the hands of agencies across the government as they work to protect and restore our waterways, public lands, and watersheds by restricting all actions that require a federal permit. The deleterious effects, both intended and unintended, resulting from this deeply flawed bill will ripple far and wide across our country including in my region, most notably the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is a national treasure stretching more than 64,000 square miles, encompassing six states, 150 major rivers and streams, and is home to more than 17 million people. It is America's largest estuary. But the Bay is in need of restoration. Since 1983 federal, state, and local stakeholders have worked together to implement and refine the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. As a result we have seen significant improvements in phosphorus and sediment pollution reduction, better management of fisheries including the restoration of blue crab, and restoration of habitats and wetlands.…”