Volume 146, No. 54 covering the 2nd Session of the 106th Congress (1999 - 2000) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 673, FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2000” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2555-H2557 on May 4, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 673, FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUALITY
IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2000
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 483 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 483
Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 673) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and other appropriate agencies for the purpose of improving water quality throughout the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys. The first reading of the bill will be dispensed with. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 4(a) of rule XIII are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill. The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII. Amendments so printed shall be considered as read. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may: (1) postpone until a time during further consideration in the Committee of the Whole a request for a recorded vote on any amendment; and (2) reduce to five minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any postponed question that follows another electronic vote without intervening business, provided that the minimum time for electronic voting on the first in any series of questions shall be 15 minutes. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the bill or to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) is recognized for 1 hour.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Slaughter); pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 483 is an open rule, providing for the consideration of H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate, equally divided between the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The rule waives clause 4(a) of Rule XIII, requiring a 3-day layover of the committee report against consideration of the bill. The rule also makes in order the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute as an original bill for the purpose of amendment, which shall be open for amendment at any point.
The rule allows the chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting time to 5 minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a 15-
minute vote.
In addition, Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Record prior to their consideration will be given priority in recognition to offer their amendment if otherwise consistent with House rules. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this open rule which provides for the full and fair consideration of the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this very important legislation, which authorizes grants for wastewater and storm water management projects to address the need for infrastructure improvements in the beautiful Florida Keys.
I am extremely proud of the Florida Keys, a unique marine environment which includes the only living coral reef barrier ecosystem in North America. This chain of over 800 individual islands, or keys, provides significant recreational and commercial opportunities and are a favorite among scuba divers, anglers, bird watchers, and tourists of all kinds.
In 1990, Congress passed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act, which directed the EPA and the State of Florida to establish a water quality steering committee for the sanctuary and develop a comprehensive water quality protection program.
That steering committee identified inadequate wastewater and storm water management systems as the largest man-made sources of pollution in the near shore waters off the Florida Keys. The cost of needed wastewater improvements is between $184 to $418 million, and the cost of necessary storm water management proposals is between $370 and $680 million.
This legislation, which will help preserve our national treasure, authorizes $212 million in EPA grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, or other agencies of the State of Florida or of Monroe County, for projects to replace inadequate wastewater treatment systems and establish, replace, or improve storm water systems in Monroe County, Florida; and it requires that the non-Federal cost share for projects carried out under this bill shall be not less than 25 percent of the total.
I believe it is entirely appropriate for there to be a Federal role in cleaning up and preserving the delicate ecosystem in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary so that our children and their children, as well as generations of visitors from throughout the world, may be able to enjoy this extraordinary living coral reef barrier ecosystem, the only one in North America.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of both this open rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 673, the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1045
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I support this rule that allows Members to offer all germane amendments to the underlying bill, the Florida Keys Water Improvements Act, H.R. 673.
The underlying bill is completely noncontroversial and goes a long way toward protecting the Florida Keys. As many in this body already know, the Florida Keys are a spectacular chain of 800 independent islands located southeast of Florida.
The Keys are a unique and nationally significant marine environment and include North America's only living coral barrier reef ecosystem. But with rapid population growth, the Keys have begun to experience significant water quality problems.
In 1990, Congress passed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act designating the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. That Act directed EPA and the State of Florida to develop a comprehensive water quality protection program for the Sanctuary.
Since that time, the EPA and other Federal and State and local agencies have identified wastewater infrastructure improvements as the single most important investment to improve the water quality around the Florida Keys.
Improvement of storm water management in the area of the Florida Keys is also needed to reduce pollutant loadings from largely uncontrolled storm water runoff from existing development.
This Act provides the Federal share of funds for projects to replace these inadequate wastewater treatment systems that are damaging the Keys. These funds will supplement commitment by the State of Florida and Monroe County, Florida, for planning and construction of wastewater and storm water projects.
H.R. 673 would authorize appropriations of $213 million over the 2001-2005 period for this new grant program.
Mr. Speaker, I do not oppose this open rule.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), my distinguished colleague, the vice-chairman of the Committee on Rules, a fighter for the environment, and one of the leading advocates for environmental causes in this Congress and especially in Florida.
(Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for his kind words and for his action on this rule.
Mr. Speaker, I remember very well back in the old days when we had a merchant marine and fisheries committee and Dante Fascell came forward with this. And in the tradition of Mr. Fascell and the delegation working together, it has come to fruition.
I congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) and all the rest of the delegation and, of course, the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Chairman Shuster) and his committee for bringing us forward to this date.
This is a continuum of efforts to protect one of the most unique, captivating, spectacular resources we have in the United States of America, the Florida Keys.
This is complementary to the efforts that this body has taken with regard to the Everglades and protection of Florida Bay. This is an investment. That is well worthwhile.
If my colleagues have not visited the Florida Keys, they should. If they have visited the Florida Keys, they will understand why this is necessary legislation.
I urge support of this rule and support of the legislation.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), a distinguished leader, who, in the short period of time he has been in Congress, has already left quite a mark on a number of critical issues to South Florida.
Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-
Balart), a member of the Committee on Rules, for his leadership as well. He is from South Florida and has undertaken to represent that community and the entirety of the State and the Nation in a very competent fashion.
I first want to thank the chairman and also thank especially our colleague from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) who has spearheaded this legislation which is vital, obviously, to the Florida Keys and to thank, as well, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the chairman of the committee, for endeavoring to bring this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard quite a bit today about the importance of this bill and the positive impact it will have on the delicate marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
I appreciate the comments made by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss) and urge people to please make their vacation plans to visit this pristine, wonderful part of Florida. I know they will not be disappointed. As my colleague clearly stated, those who have been there fully understand the magnitude and magnificence not only of the region but of the necessity for the bill.
The Federal Government has recognized the importance of this system by naming it the National Marine Sanctuary. But it currently is in jeopardy. For too long, inadequate storm water management systems and wastewater treatment systems have allowed pollutants to mar this national treasure.
I might also add, we have a similar experience around Lake Okeechobee because of septic tanks and other things that were causing and are causing the degradation of the environment.
While we are here today to talk about the Keys, I also want to call to the attention of Members of Congress other waterways and other water bodies which would clearly have a significance and could actually use the model that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch) has established today to help deal with other areas and other consequences.
But what impact will this problem have if left unchecked on the rest of us? Over 2 million people visit this beautiful area each year. But because of the inadequate infrastructure, what was once clear and beautiful water is now discolored. Beaches are often closed and public health officials warn against swimming near the shores. This poses a public health threat and a threat to the livelihood of many of the Keys' full-time residents.
The Florida Keys marine ecosystem is intrinsically linked with the Greater South Florida ecosystem, including our national park, the Florida Everglades. In devoting resources towards the restoration of this important ecosystem, we must ensure that a coordinated effort is undertaken so that the best environmental and fiscal outcome can be achieved for all concerned.
We have agreed that there is a problem by establishing the Water Quality Protection Program Steering Committee. This committee has proposed, as directed by the Congress, a comprehensive program to ensure water quality and protection embodied in this resolution, H.R. 673.
The State of Florida and the Monroe County Commission have demonstrated their commitment to this solution.
Let us pass this legislation and demonstrate the commitment of this Congress to preserving the beauty of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for all Americans.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I too wish to add my voice of congratulations to the distinguished gentleman from the Florida Keys (Mr. Deutsch) who has worked so hard on this critical issue, as well as all the other colleagues who have worked on this matter, which is of such importance to that extraordinary treasure, national treasure, which is the Florida Keys.
I urge my colleagues to support this open rule, to support the underlying very important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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