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.
“SAVE THE CHATTAHOOCHEE” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1325-E1327 on July 17, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SAVE THE CHATTAHOOCHEE
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HON. NEWT GINGRICH
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 16, 1998
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend to the attention of my colleagues the following testimony before the Committee on Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands on the modification of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area boundaries. I urge all my colleagues to read this testimony and take advantage of this opportunity to save the Chattahoochee so that its beauty and resources might be enjoyed by future generations.
Testimony of Hon. Newt Gingrich Before the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, Committee on Resources, July 16, 1998
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I come before you today to save a river that is not only near and dear to my heart, but is the life blood of my district and most of the State of Georgia. The river I speak of is the Chattahoochee River. From its source in the North Georgia Mountains until it joins the Flint River on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, citizens along its path drink its water, use it for recreational purposes, and enjoy its beauty. With this legislation, today we have a chance to ensure that its gifts, including most importantly the gift of safe, life-sustaining drinking water, are protected and preserved for our children and grandchildren.
H.R. 4141 will modify the boundaries of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to protect and preserve the endangered Chattahoochee River and provide additional recreation opportunities for citizens. Yet one of the most important aspects of this legislation is the way that this will be done, as the support and funding will come not just from federal sources, but from a partnership of federal, state, local, and private entities.
The Chattahoochee River, ranked as one of the ten most endangered rivers in the country, provides the drinking water for the Atlanta metropolitan area and almost half of the population of Georgia. The Chattahoochee is the smallest river basin to serve as the major water supply for a metropolitan area in the United States, which makes the challenge and the impact of growth and development even greater. Runoff from construction and the overdevelopment of areas surrounding the forty-eight mile stretch of the river north of the city have resulted in pollution, silt, and sediment build-ups.
This bill authorizes the creation of a greenway buffer between the river and private development to prevent further pollution from continued development, provide flood and erosion control, and maintain water quality for safe drinking water and for the abundant fish and wildlife dependent on the river system. Protecting this valuable resource is vital to the future of the State of Georgia. I personally consider it to be one of the most important things that I can help accomplish in my public career.
The massive influx of people--more than 400,000 since 1990--into the Atlanta metropolitan area has not only impacted water quality issues, but has also dramatically increased the need for expanded recreational areas. The Chattahoochee River is currently one of the most visited recreation areas in the country. Given the rate of growth in this area, increased acreage is essential in order to relieve stress on the current recreation area and to dramatically improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the excitement of schoolchildren engaged in testing the Chattahoochee water as part of their science studies, the coming together of diverse groups of young people helping with river clean-up, and the joy of children from near-by apartments who have discovered, on the banks of the Chattahoochee, a place to run and play. The Chattahoochee is for so many of Georgia's children more than just a river and more than a source of drinking water--it is an outdoor classroom, a community melting pot and, for those whose parents don't yet own a house, the only backyard they know.
This greenway project will serve as a model for future conservation efforts, as we continue to work toward our vision of a partnership with the people of America, as opposed to a centralized bureaucracy. Public and private cost sharing will ensure local involvement in the expansion of the park boundary. This is a truly historic agreement--federal appropriations provided in this proposal will be matched by funding from private foundations, the State of Georgia, local governments, corporate entities, private individuals, and other sources. In fact, the federal effort will be immediately matched by a private foundation. All other funding sources, such as the $15 million which Georgia's Governor Zell Miller and the state legislature have committed, will reduce the federal share of the project. The cost to the federal government will be less than half of the estimated cost of the effort and will almost certainly be much less.
I have with me today letters, from a wide range of Georgians in support of expanding the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, which I will submit for the record. These letters are from mayors of local cities, country commissioners, the Lt. Governor's office, and Governor Zell Miller. These letters illustrate that in addition to the funding aspects, there is a more important partnership--one of political subdivisions, private entities, and neighbors coming together with the common goal of saving our river.
Finally, I would like to comment on the balance between property owners and the U.S. Park Service. This legislation ensures private property rights are protected by only allowing lands to be acquired with the consent of the property owner. At the same time it gives the Park Service flexibility by allowing a temporary interim map to be used until a comprehensive map can be drawn. In addition, the Park Service will have a 2000 foot corridor on each side of the river to enable the acquisition of larger properties when necessary for achieving our conservation goals. This legislation will ensure a working partnership between the Park Service and private property owners as we create a greenway along the river.
I am very pleased to testify on behalf of a proposal that will promote private/public partnerships in protecting vital natural resources and in increasing recreational opportunities for citizens. Expanding the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area will ensures that future generations will have clean water to drink and will be able to enjoy the beauty of this nationally significant resource.
In closing, I'd like to share a quote from ``The Riverkeeper's Guide to the Chattahoochee,'' a book written by Fred Brown and Sherri M.L. Smith with the support of my good friend Sally Bethea: ``Only God can make a river. And He's not making any more.''
We have the power to help save one of His greatest rivers and to do it in a way which is not a Washington-based solution but which involves a partnership with the people of America. I hope that each of you will join me in this endeavor.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this legislation. I look forward to working with the members of the committee on this important project. At this time I would be glad to take any questions.
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State of Georgia,
Office of the Governor,
Atlanta, GA, July 9, 1998.
Hon. Bob Livingston,
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman: The Appropriation Committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate have completed action on their respective Interior Appropriations bill. I wish to respond to the initial actions of each committee by acknowledging some important realities about three of the line items within the Land and Water Conservation Fund section of the bills.
Each of the acquisitions represent major conservation actions in protecting significant sites previously recognized by Congress. And the inclusion of funding for two of these projects complements funding actions that I, as Governor, have initiated. The State of Georgia is willing to dedicate funds to land acquisition which will serve over the long run to reduce the need for federal spending. It is important for the Federal Government to work closely with the State of Georgia to achieve common goals, while sharing the costs.
The three line items which are important to the State of Georgia are the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and the Cumberland Island National Seashore. I wish to address each of them individually.
A very important item for the State of Georgia is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. In the most recent state budget approved by the Georgia General Assembly,
$20 million was appropriated for the RiverCare 2000 Program dedicated to protecting and preserving river front property for public use. I have reserved $15 million of that amount to be directed to land acquisition along the Chattahoochee River corridor shared with the National Recreation Area. This approach is consistent with legislation (HR 4141) introduced by Speaker Gingrich which expands the boundaries and the acreage to be acquired as part of the National Recreation Area. One major component of this authorization legislation is that land acquisition move forward with a sharing of responsibility among the Department of Interior, the State of Georgia and its political subdivisions, and private foundations and corporations.
The House Interior Appropriation bill, which is unnumbered at this time, contains $15 million for acquisition which recognizes current discussions to move quickly to protect a resource disappearing to urbanization and development. While the State is ready to act, other local, private and public interests are also prepared to make financial commitments. The $15 million federal appropriation would be in recognition of these local initiatives and a fitting response to this aggressive partnership being formed (The Senate version does not include funds for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.)
A second item is a recurring one, the Cumberland Island National Seashore. I believe very strongly in proceeding to fulfill the original intent of the National Seashore enabling legislation. In order to achieve this goal, the National Park Service should complete acquisition on Cumberland Island to realize the preservation of this unique and important resource. To delay further is to allow private rights to gain at the sacrifice of a public good. The President has requested $4.1 million, while neither the House nor the Senate has included funds for this item. This money should be restored at conference committee, or sooner, if the opportunity exists. No purpose is to be gained by further dragging out the acquisition process on Cumberland Island.
The last item is the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for which the President requested $1 million. The Senate bill, S. 2237, responded by allocating $500,000. An environmental assessment by the Fish and Wildlife Service recommends expanding the 25,000-acre refuge with an additional 14,800 acres to protect additional habitat for migratory species and to reverse further declines in waterfowl populations. The State is also exploring the Savannah River where there is a need to acquire areas as part of its RiverCare Program. This is another example of state and federal governments working together to dedicate their scarce fiscal resources to protect fragile wetlands and uplands important to the local ecology. At this time, the Fish and Wildlife Service is prepared to spend the full amount requested by the President, and the need to move quickly where willing sellers are available is important.
I wish to remind you not only of the importance of these projects to the State of Georgia including the investment of federal dollars to protect major environmental resources, but also for the unprecedented intergovernmental cooperation and allocation of financial resources. As Governor, I pledge to use state dollars to work with federal dollars, and not to have federal dollars replace state dollars.
With kindest regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Zell Miller.
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Office of Lieutenant Governor,
Atlanta, GA, July 14, 1998.Hon. Bob Livingston,Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Action has now been completed by the Appropriations Committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate on The Interior Appropriations bill. I wish to respond to their action regarding three line items within The Land and Water Conservation Fund Sections of the bill, which are of great importance and significance to the State of Georgia.
The first line item is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. As you know, the Chattahoochee River supplies drinking water to several million Georgians, and yet it is considered to be one of the most endangered rivers in America as a result of encroaching development and pollution. No one understands the need to protect the Chattahoochee River better than Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has authored HR 4141 which will permit the expansion of the existing National Recreation Area. It is our shared vision to protect more of the river corridor. The current Georgia budget includes $15 million dedicated to land acquisition along the Chattahoochee River. The private sector is also willing to support the acquisition of more land. It is imperative, however, that we have the $15 million included in the House Interior Appropriation bill in order to carry out the intent of Speaker Gingrich's HR 4141. While the Senate version does not include funds for the Chattahooche River National Recreation Area, it is our hope that the conference committee report will recognize the historic opportunity we have to launch a public-private partnership to save the Chattahooche.
The second item is The Cumberland Island National Seashore. I believe very strongly in proceeding to fulfill the original intent of the National Seashore enabling legislation. Thus, it is of critical importance that the National Park Service complete the acquisition of the Greyfield tract on Cumberland Island to protect it from development and to protect the immense investment which the taxpayers have made in Cumberland Island. The President has requested $4.1 million for the purchase of the next installment of the Greyfield tract sale. While neither the House nor Senate has included funds for this item, I strongly believe that the funds should be restored at conference.
Finally, the President has requested $1 million for the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina just across from Savannah. The Senate bill (SB2237) allocated
$500,000. The Fish and Wildlife Service recommends expanding the current 25,000 acre refuge with an addition of 14,800 acres to protect additional habitat for migratory species, both game and non-game. It would be appreciated if the full amount requested could be appropriated so that we can respond to willing sellers and acquire the additional land.
Mr. Chairman, there can be no better use of tax dollars than the preservation of our natural heritage. President Theodore Roosevelt recognized that fact when he saved the Grand Canyon and established Yellowstone. Each of these items is important not just to Georgia but to the entire country. Hundreds of thousands of visitors to Atlanta drink water from the Chattahoochee River; thousands of people from almost every state visit Cumberland Island; and the ducks, geese and shorebirds that visit the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge belong to all Americans. We ask for your support of these important projects.
Sincerely,
Pierre Howard.
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Gwinnett County
Board of Commissioners,
June 4, 1998.Re: Chattahoochee River National Park Boundary ChangeHon. Jim HansenChairmam, Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Hansen: The City of Duluth has previously expressed its support for land acquisition funding for the National Park Service to purchase lands along the Chattahoochee River. The City is very interested in protecting the river corridor and making additional open space and greenways available for public use. The City has worked to obtain conservation easements for waling trails an greenways along the river corridor to help link existing National Park Property.
It has become evident that many critical parcels along the river corridor are not included in the boundaries previously designed for the National Park Service on future land acquisition. There is an urgent need for legislation to modify the National Park Boundaries by deleting some parcels which have already been developed and include these critical parcels still available for the protection of the river and efficient use of existing National Park property.
The City strongly supports legislation that would adjust the designated National Park Boundaries identified for future land acquisition to include those critical parcels necessary to link existing National Park Properties as well as protect the river from further intense development. The City applauds your efforts in supporting funding for National Park Service land acquisition along this vital river water resource and asks that you also support some adjustments in the designated boundaries of the National Park so that key vacant parcels can be included.
Thank you for your efforts and involvement with our national resources. If we can assist in any way, please let us know.
Sincerely,
F. Wayne Hill,
Chairman.
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Board of Commissioners of
Fulton County,
Atlanta, GA, June 16, 1998.Hon. Newt Gingrich,2428 Rayburn House Office Building,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Newt Gingrich: As an elected representative of North Fulton county, I urge your support for legislation that would allow adjustment of the National Park boundaries identified for future land acquisition in order to link existing National Park properties. This legislation would allow for protection of the Chattahoochee River by including critical parcels that are still available to be included in the Park boundaries, as well as deleting those parcels that are already developed.
Fulton County is currently working with the City of Roswell to develop a Linear Park along the Chattahoochee in north Fulton. Your support of the Federal Greenways project would enhance our efforts and help to preserve this valuable resource that provides drinking water to the citizens of Fulton County as well as the City of Atlanta.
Your support of the Federal Greenways Project is greatly appreciated. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Respectfully,
Bob Fulton,
District Three,
Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
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City of Roswell,
Roswell, GA, May 21, 1998.Re Greenways Project.
Hon. Jim Hansen,Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Roswell, the sixth largest city in the state of Georgia, strongly supports the Federal Greenways Project.
Roswell is presently acquiring five miles of land along the Chattahoochee River, in north metropolitan Atlanta area, for a linear park. This park would connect the Goldbranch, Vickery Creek and Allen Shoals units of the Chattahoochee National Park. This park will be operated in cooperation with Fulton County and the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The State of Georgia, The Trust for Public Lands and the City of Roswell are already committed to raising a portion of the property purchase price. We hope that the Federal Government will also contribute toward acquisition funds for the parkland.
Once established, this new park would become one of the most heavily used parks within the Atlanta Metropolitan area. It would serve as an excellent example of Federal, State, County and Municipal cooperation in park development. We hope that the Federal Greenways Project will be adopted, so that the Federal Government may participate in this park. Your support of this project will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jere Wood,
Mayor.
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City of Duluth,
Duluth, GA, May 26, 1998.Re Chattahoochee River National Park Boundary Change.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,Rayburn House Office Building,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Gingrich: The City of Duluth has previously expressed its support for land acquisition funding for the National Park Service to purchase lands along the Chattahoochee River. The City is very interested in protecting the river corridor and making additional open space and greenways available for public use. The City has worked to obtain conservation easements for walking trails and greenways along the river corridor to help link existing National Park Property.
It has become evident that many critical parcels along the river corridor are not included in the boundaries previously designated for the National Park Service on future land acquisition. There is an urgent need for legislation to modify the National Park Boundaries by deleting some parcels which have already been developed and include those critical parcels still available for the protection of the river and efficient use of existing National Park property.
The City strongly supports legislation that would adjust the designated National Park Boundaries identified for future land acquisition to include those critical parcels necessary to link existing National Park Properties as well as protect the river from further intense development. The City applauds your efforts in supporting funding for National Park Service land acquisition along this vital river water resource and asks that you also support some adjustments in the designated boundaries of the National Park so that key vacant parcels can be included.
Thank you for your efforts and involvement with our national resources. If we can assist in any way please let us know.
Sincerely,
Shirley Fanning-Lasseter,
Mayor.
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City of Duluth,
Duluth, GA, April 8, 1998.Re Chattahoochee River Greenway.
Hon. Ralph Regula,Chairman, House Interior Committee,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Regula: The City of Duluth would like to thank you for your efforts in securing funding for the National Park Service for lands along the Chattahoochee River. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has informed us of the tremendous work you have been doing to see that the National Park Service obtains funds to protect the Chattahoochee River from excessive development through Park Service land acquisition. In our November correspondence to you the City had mentioned that a greenway plan to link two existing National Park properties together was underway. Please find enclosed a copy of this proposed walkway. We currently have approximately 50% of this provided through easements.
We hope that the next trip you make by helicopter over this area that you will see some results which come from local government and federal government working together on a project. If we can ever be of service please don't hesitate to call on us.
Sincerely,
Shirley Fanning-Lasseter,
Mayor.
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City of Atlanta,
Atlanta, GA, June 24, 1998.Hon. John Lewis,House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Lewis: I am writing to encourage your support for a $25 million appropriation ($15 million FY '99 and $10 million in the supplemental budget for FY '99) from the Land and Water Conservation Fund which is now before the House Appropriations Committee. These funds will allow for the protection of land along the banks of the Chattahoochee in an attempt to sustain the drinking water supply for the City of Atlanta and its neighbors. The initiative to protect land along the Chattahoochee River is a bipartisan effort which was developed out of Governor Miller's RiverCare 2000 program. The City of Atlanta has partnered with the Trust for Public Land to negotiate donations and acquisitions along the Chattahoochee River in an effort to protect a natural greenway within City limits. By working in cooperation with our neighbors upstream, we hope to sustain this river for future generations.
Over half of all Georgians drink from the Chattahoochee River every day and this funding would help insure the quality of our drinking water for generations to come. I encourage you to actively support this $25 million appropriation once it comes up for a vote by the House Appropriations Committee.
Thank you for your continued care for the environment and the work you do for the people of Atlanta.
Sincerely,
Bill Campbell.
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