Volume 146, No. 72 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.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S4953-S4954 on June 12, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. Mack:)
S. 2711. A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environment 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; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
the florida keys water quality improvement act
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, the Florida Keys are a unique natural resource area that we must value and protect. This 158 mile-
long string of islands at the southern tip of Florida attracts two and a half million visitors each year to fish, swim, snorkel, dive, and otherwise enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
One of the most striking characteristics of the Florida Keys is their pristine marine environment. The Keys support one of the largest sea grass communities in this hemisphere and more than 6000 species of plants fish, and invertebrates. The diversity of this reef ecosystem is considered the underwater equivalent of the tropical rainforests.
But that ecosystem--and the economy it supports--is at grave risk. The degradation of water quality in the Florida Keys threatens the health of the living coral reef, sea grasses, fisheries, and other marine life. This decline threatens to transform the Keys from one of Florida's most treasured resources to one of its most poisoned.
Mr. President, the great irony is that we are loving the Florida Keys to death. While we are pleased that these islands attract new residents and visitors from all over the world, improvements in wastewater treatment and management practices have not kept pace with population and tourism growth.
Why is this significant? Ongoing research has determined that nutrients from wastewater have significantly contributed to the decline of water quality in the Florida Keys. It will take a strong partnership of federal, state, and local governments working in conjunction with environmental advocates and other interests to build the better sewage treatment systems needed to improve canal and nearshore water quality.
Fortunately for the Florida Keys, such a partnership is already in place and at work. In 1990, Congress established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to protect the marine habitat while continuing to allow for its appropriate use. The sanctuary program has brought together representatives of necessary interests to develop a plan for challenges like water quality.
Central to this effort is the Monroe County government, which has developed a Wastewater Master Plan to identify long-term solutions to the water quality problem. The plan estimates that infrastructure projects implemented to improve water quality will incur total capital costs of $346 million--a major undertaking that will require funding at every level.
Mr. President, I have long said that any federal assistance for Keys wastewater improvements would first require a strong show of local support. Monroe County has done its fair share. Through a combination of revenue bonds, user fees and an infrastructure sales tax, the County has made a commitment of over $150 million over 10 years.
Mr. President, it is time for this Congress to hold up its end of the bargain. Today, Senator Mack and I are introducing the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000. Similar legislation passed the House on May 4, 2000 with almost unanimous support.
The Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants for construction of wastewater treatment works. These grants are only awarded to projects that already have a significant investment. Successful applicant projects will be those that have completed the planning and design phase, demonstrated substantial water quality benefits and proven compliance with the Marine Sanctuary and other master plans for the area. And as is appropriate in a partnership, these grants will fund a portion of project costs, with an least 25 percent of the cost paid by local and state entities.
Mr. President, the prospect of treating wastewater for an increasingly crowed 158-mile-long string of islands is not a simple one. But it is vital that we preserve this beautiful area not just for current residents and visitors--but also for our children and grandchildren. With this legislation, we can put the federal government on the side of this worthy goal, and support the investment that has been made by the residents and protectors of the Florida Keys.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 2711
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS.
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 121. FLORIDA KEYS.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator may make grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, appropriate agencies of municipalities of Monroe County, Florida, and other appropriate public agencies of the State of Florida or Monroe County for the planning and construction of treatment works to improve water quality in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
``(b) Criteria for Projects.--To be eligible for a grant for a project under subsection (a), an agency described in subsection (a) shall demonstrate that--
``(1) the agency has completed adequate planning and design activities for the project;
``(2) the agency has completed a financial plan identifying sources of non-Federal funding for the project;
``(3) the project complies with--
``(A) applicable growth management ordinances of Monroe County, Florida;
``(B) applicable agreements between Monroe County, Florida, and the State of Florida to manage growth in Monroe County, Florida; and
``(C) applicable water quality standards; and
``(4) the project is consistent with the master wastewater and stormwater plans for Monroe County, Florida.
``(c) Consideration.--In selecting projects to receive grants under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider whether a project will have substantial water quality benefits relative to other projects under consideration.
``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall consult with--
``(1) the Steering Committee established under section 8(d)(2)(A) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1433 note; 106 Stat. 5054);
``(2) the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force established by section 528(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3771);
``(3) the Commission on the Everglades established by Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Florida; and
``(4) other appropriate State and local government agencies.
``(e) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using amounts from grants made under subsection (a) shall be not more than 75 percent.
``(f) Sense of Congress.--
``(1) Purchase of equipment and products produced in the united states.--In the case of any equipment or product that may be authorized to be purchased with financial assistance provided under this section, it is the sense of Congress that agencies receiving the financial assistance should, in expending the assistance, purchase only equipment and products that are produced in the United States.
``(2) Notice to Recipients of Assistance.--In providing financial assistance under this section, the Administrator shall provide to each recipient of the assistance a notice describing the statement of Congress under paragraph (1).
``(3) Reporting of Expenditures.--Not later than 180 days after an agency that receives funds under this section makes any expenditure on an item that is produced in a country other than the United States, the agency shall report the expenditure to Congress.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, to remain available until expended--
``(1) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
``(3) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2005.''.
Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I rise with my friend and colleague Senator Graham to introduce the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Act. This bill is identical to legislation that passed the House on May 4, 2000 by a vote of 411-7, and would provide Federal resources to help improve and maintain one of our Nation's real treasures, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The Florida Keys are a spectacular natural resource of international significance. Within the Florida Keys lies the only living coral reef bed in the United States and the third largest living coral reef in the world. The reef is home to plants and animals unique to this area and that comprise a rare and sensitive ecosystem at the southern end of the Everglades ecosystem. While the spectacular coral reef is the Keys' most popular feature, they are also known for native seagrass beds, lush tropical hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, rocky pinelands, the endangered key deer, and a wide array of aquatic life.
The Florida Keys marine ecosystem is dependent upon clean, clear water with low nutrient levels for its survival. Water quality experts have found that the inadequate wastewater treatment and storm water management systems are major contributors of pollution in the nearby waters off the Florida Keys. This increased pollution has had devastating effects on the marine environment, and is threatening the reefs on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Unless decisive action is taken to stop the flow of pollution, scientists warn the ecosystem will continue its decline towards total collapse.
The source of the problem is clear. The Keys have almost no water quality infrastructure. Lacking adequate technology, untreated wastewater now travels easily through porous limestone rock into the near-shore waters. Polluted stormwater also flows from developed land into the same near-shore waters.
Our bill is a natural extension of the Federal commitment to the Florida Keys made under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Protection Act approved by Congress in 1990. This legislation established a Federal role in the research and protection of the Keys marine ecosystem. The Act directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida to establish a Water Quality Steering Committee which was charged with developing a comprehensive water quality protection program. In fulfilling this directive, the steering committee worked closely with dedicated citizens, scientists, and technical experts. In the final analysis, it found that inadequate wastewater and stormwater systems are the single largest source of pollution in the Keys.
This bill authorizes Federal assistance to help local officials afford the necessary improvements to protect the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It establishes a grant program under the Environmental Protection Agency for the construction of treatment works projects aimed at improving the water quality of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The administrator of EPA, after consultation with State and local officials, would be authorized to fund treatment works projects that comply or are consistent with local growth ordinances, plans and agreements, as well as current water quality standards. Projects funded under this program would be cost-shared, with local sponsors providing a minimum of 25 percent of the project costs.
This bill authorizes $213 million in Federal funding for the deployment of water quality technology throughout the Keys. To make the necessary wastewater improvements, the estimated cost to improve near-
shore water quality in the Florida Keys is between $184 million and
$418 million. To make the necessary storm water management improvements, the estimated cost is between $370 million and $680 million. The Federal government is not going to bear the entire cost, even though this is a national resource. The State of Florida is obligated to come up with 25 percent cost share.
Moneys authorized by this bill will be utilized to replace the dated, inefficient system of sludge ponds and septic tanks currently being used in the Keys with modern waste and storm water treatment works. By ensuring that the nutrients associated with such wastes are not discharged or released into the surrounding waters, we can prevent further damage to the marine environment and achieve dramatic improvement to the water quality in the National Marine Sanctuary.
Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this reasonable approach to maintaining an essential national resource. I hope there will be a broad, bipartisan support for this bill.
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