Patrick Leahy: “This widespread interest in the Connecticut River would not be recognized by Senator Hutchinson's amendment. His…”

“This widespread interest in the Connecticut River would not be recognized by Senator Hutchinson's amendment. His amendment would only define the ``river community'' as persons who live within 10 miles of the river. The Connecticut River connects four States and supports a watershed of over 11,000 square miles. I would argue that the river community stretches throughout this watershed. This amendment would also give priority to those rivers based on the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Although I certainly agree that these laws should be key parts of the criteria, it overlooks the other half of the President's initiative--economic revitalization. Many of our great American rivers were once the focus of our national economy as the primary means of transportation and commerce. Much of this role has been lost, but the economic link between communities and rivers has not. The Connecticut supports a rich agriculture community, a recreation network and a renewed sportfishing industry. The economic importance should also be recognized. I support the President's interest in highlighting 10 rivers for revitalization and hope that the program moves along quickly to bring our communities together around their rivers. I urge my colleagues to defeat the Hutchinson amendment so that the program will not be bogged down with unnecessary delay.”