Ron Kind: “I rise today as a co-chair of the upper Mississippi River congressional task force, in support of the upper Mississippi…”

“I rise today as a co-chair of the upper Mississippi River congressional task force, in support of the upper Mississippi environmental management program which is part of WRDA 99. The EMP is designed to evaluate, restore and enhance river and wetland habitat along a 1200 mile stretch of the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. It is a cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the 5 upper Mississippi River basin States. The EMP has always had bipartisan support in Congress and the five midwestern States. I, along with Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Gutknecht and Mr. Leach co-chair the 16 member upper Mississippi River congressional task force, which strongly supports expansion of the EMP. WRDA 99 authorizes funding of $33.17 million each year for EMP. EMP was established in 1986 by my predecessor Steve Gunderson. At the time EMP was only authorized for 15 years. This WRDA bill gives EMP a permanent authorization. In the past EMP projects faced funding challenges due to the uncertain future of the program. With adequate funding and permanent authorization the EMP will be able to continue it's outstanding work protecting this great natural resource. The EMP is vital to the environmental and economic well being of the Mississippi River, and it enjoys strong bipartisan support throughout the upper Mississippi region.”